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The zooming-speed illusion: A meta illusion?
Hiroshi Ashida1, Akiyoshi Kitaoka2
1Kyoto University, Japan.
I-Perception
|September 25, 2023
Summary
Perceived train motion slows when zooming in, but this is not a true illusion. It
Area of Science:
- Visual perception
- Optics
- Cognitive psychology
Background:
- A common observation is that train motion appears slower when zoomed in on a video.
- This phenomenon is often mislabeled as a perceptual illusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phenomenon of perceived motion changes with zooming.
- To differentiate between a true illusion and a meta-illusion.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of image speed variation based on camera focal length.
- Examination of the geometrical structure of images during zooming.
Main Results:
- The perceived change in speed is not an illusion but a consequence of optical physics.
- Image speed is directly influenced by the focal length of the lens used.
Conclusions:
- The perceived slowing of motion during zooming is a meta-illusion, stemming from a misunderstanding of optical geometry.
- Understanding how focal length affects image structure clarifies this phenomenon.
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