In architecture and photography forced perspective is a technique that manipulates the viewers mind into believing - at least temporarily - that some object is bigger (or smaller) than it actually is. With careful arrangement a skilled illusionist can make a grown man appear a child or turn a wall into the floor.
Film makers are keen to use this trick, such as Michel Gondry's use of an adapted ames room in the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The technique was commonplace in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Just about every scene with a Hobbit required some form of forced perspective in order to make the average height actors appear to be the diminutive race they were portraying.
Outside the realm of film (moving or not), forced perspective plays a role in our everyday lives. We have to deal with this problem with perception every day; "Warning: Objects in mirror are closer than they appear." The concavity of side-view mirrors makes objects smaller, which in our minds means farther away. Being mindful of this mental misfire helps keep us safe on the road.
Unfortunately the road of life doesn't come with a government regulated warning, so its all too common for even the best meaning of folks to fall for this illusion and come away utterly convinced they've seen the miraculous. Years ago while traveling with family I recall being quite enraptured by the UFO I'd seen out the car window, buzzing over and around the mountains off in the distance. Sharp turns, dives, the sorts of aerial maneuvers I thought only an alien spacecraft (or military prototype based on Area 51 tech, we were in Nevada after all!)
Looking back on it now, I realize it was a bird of prey (or two) diving after food. What looked like disappearing behind the mountains was simply my eyes losing track of them as they went from blue-sky to brown earth. That initial illusion gave credence to the idea they were miles and miles away, which then meant their speed, size and agility appeared all the greater.
It just goes to show you, often a simple explanation is your best place to start before letting your mind go off to the realm of UFO's, aliens, angels and ghosts. Unfortunately for the supposedly* Skeptical hosts of Fact or Faked they forgot this basic rule of thumb during an investigation on their show. Follow that link or watch the video below and see if you can come up with the real explanation before the big reveal. (Pause at the two minute mark to give yourself some time)
Also fun to enjoy, and what set me off on this topic: 88 Brilliant Examples of Forced Perspective Photography
*I say supposedly because I've not seen the show and the majority of "Ghost Hunter" style programming is pablum bunk.
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