A photo of a bird captured by Japanese photographer Kenichi Ohno is causing a stir on the internet. The image, titled “Gap,” is a single-exposure photograph and not the result of Photoshop manipulation, as some skeptics might assume. The photo is so mind-bending that people are struggling to process what exactly it shows.
The photo was entered in the 39th “Japanese Nature” photo contest put on by the The All-Japan Association of Photographic Societies (AJAPS), and was honored as a “Special Selection” winner. The contest, which is organized and sponsored by Sony’s marketing arm, saw over 14,000 entries from all over Japan this year. The competition aims to showcase “the splendor of Japan’s nature through works that directly express landscapes, flora and fauna, and human activities.”
So, what exactly does the photo show? At first glance, it may look like a composite image of a bird superimposed on two different backgrounds. However, it is a single photo of the bird standing at the edge of some water with a wall and its reflection creating an optical illusion.
The bottom of the wall has a dark area, which is possibly algae. The symmetrical reflection of this strip can be seen in the water below. The height of the wall and the angle of the shot leads to the reflection of the wall extending downward all the way to the water’s edge, which adds to the confusing appearance.
If you’re still having a hard time understanding what the image contains, the image can be overlaid with colors and labels to help make sense of the illusion.
The AJAPS federation praised the photo, describing it as “amazing” and having a “strong impact.” They also noted that “there’s something interesting about it that you can’t immediately understand how it was shot.”
The photo teaches us that a small change can make a big difference in a photo, and that man-made objects can play a good supporting role and enhance a nature photo. It’s a reminder that nature is full of surprises and that we can capture its beauty in unexpected ways.
In a world where we are bombarded with images on a daily basis, it’s refreshing to see a photo that challenges our perception and makes us appreciate the beauty of the natural world. Kenichi Ohno’s “Gap” is a perfect example of how a photo can break our brain and leave us in awe.
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