Camera Obscura

Time to do the timewarp.. back to 2013 when I had a press pass and could get into various tourist attractions in my city for free. How did I get this pass? A friend of a friend.. never underestimate the importance of “its not what you know but who you know”.

So on this occasion I went to a place called Camera Obscura. Camera Obscura means ‘dark room’ in latin and is also referred to as ‘pinhole image’ and is the natural optical phenomenon where and image is projected through a pinhole in a screen or wall and is then projected on a surface opposite the whole reversed (upside down and let to right).

So I am sure you can imagine that the place I went to was all about optical illusions! Its fun to take kids to and its fun to get abstract and trippy pictures there.

Ok so the first thing I looked at was the infinity mirror which a hallway with a mirror on either side and some projected lights.. the illusion causes it to go on forever. Like so:

In the stairwell they have some mirrors that simulate the visual effect of a compound eye (like what insects have)

Who doesn’t recognise the next thing.. the little electric arcing globes. I’m sure we all played with those as kids.. I kinda got carried away with this one trying to get some interesting shots.. I’d certainly like to try this one again with a macro lens.. tricky as that might be!

Electric current is a fascinating thing don't you think? It almost seems alive, like veins or something.

Next was a giant kaleidoscope that you can stick your whole head in to look. That was awesome, and again, achieved entirely with mirrors.

I don’t even know or remember what this thing is.. but it reminds me of VGER from star trek the movie:

Next you had the ‘ladder to australia’, which is an effect that looks like an infinite ladder going deep into the earth, when in reality there is just single rung.. I like that I am reflected in the shot.. my attempt at being ‘artsy’ 4 years ago..

Then you had the mirror maze .. which at one point I didn’t think I’d get out of .. I literally kept walking into walls. It was disorientating and I hurt my nose at least 4 times.

And of course they had the distortion mirrors!

^{My best Sara Jessica Parker impression….. ;)}

I had to hold the camera at my eye level to photograph the distortion I could see.. if the camera was held higher or lower the distortion would change..

This is just some of what they offer, there is way more.. for example.. they have a walkway you walk across inside a tunnel, and the tunnel rotates around you with all these lines drawn on it.. the effect is so disorientating to your brain you literally cannot walk in a straight line. You have to grab the railing for dear life. As Spock would say… Fascinating. To experience that stuff you’ll need to go for yourself, and if you want more info go check out http://www.camera-obscura.co.uk.

Its worth a visit, especially on a rainy day :) Do you have any optical illusion attractions where you live? If you do go check them out.. its mind bendingly fun! :)

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