Situations Not Possible in Real Life (NPIRL)
View allAll Photos Tagged MIND-BENDING
This mural was made by GOMAD (Marcus Debie) during Urban Colour festival 2017 Arnhem. I'm surprised that the colors still look so fresh.
Happy Wall Wednesday
Found some info about him on his website:
""GOMAD (Marcus Debie, 1972) is a colorblind Dutch artist, born and raised in the city of Sittard in the south of Holland where he still lives and works. Heavily influenced by the iconic film, ‘Beat Street’, as well as ‘Style Wars’, GOMAD got artistically active all the way back to the early 80’s in the Southern Dutch graff scene. So much so, that he’s considered one of the pioneers of the sport in that region.
Nowadays he works as an international ‘urban fine artist’ doing murals and paintings for exhibitions wherever his art brings him. GOMAD’s work is considered a pinnacle of post-neo-cubism, the combination of photorealistic images, often woman faces, eyes and birds in a mind bending surrealistic setup, against cubistic and organic shapes, in a Picasso-like composition, combining oil paint, acrylics and sprays in a vibrant and unique way.""
Street Art Arnhem.
I have a problem. I have way too many images in my "to be posted" folder and will never be able to post them all. And I keep taking more....
It's so hard to know which ones to post and which ones to just leave behind.... I know, things could be much worse :)
Happy Monday! Hope you all have a great week!
Today, I figured an upside down image might serve well. The reflection of Autumn colours in Trout Lake challenge the mind for just a moment as we work out exactly what it is we are observing. Of course, the log is a big help.
Alte Akademie, Munich, Germany.
Design (1583): Friedrich Sustris (?)
In full restoration suit. I love the mind bending diagonal scaffolding.
Runoff at Yellowstone's Firehole Spring on it's way to the Firehole River. The mix of colors and textures fascinate and captivate me. I spent a few years as a microbiologist/chemist long ago. The small world is a mind bender.
More examples in comments.
"The hydrothermal features of Yellowstone are magnificent evidence of Earth’s volcanic activity. Amazingly, they are also habitats in which microscopic organisms called thermophiles—“thermo” for heat, “phile” for lover—survive and thrive."
ps: I like it when you call me Phil.
"Species, unseen to the human eye, thrive in waters as acidic as the liquid in your car battery and hot enough to blister your skin. Some create layers that look like molten wax on the surface of steaming alkaline pools. Still others, apparent to us through the odors they create, exist only in murky, sulfuric caldrons that stink worse than rotten eggs.
Today, many scientists study Yellowstone’s thermophiles. Some of these microbes are similar to the first life forms capable of photosynthesis—the process of using sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide to oxygen, sugars, and other by-products. These life forms, called cyanobacteria, began to create an atmosphere that would eventually support human life. Cyanobacteria are found in some of the colorful mats and streamers of Yellowstone’s hot springs." nps.gov
Thanks for your visit. Always appreciated!
Road trip from Portland to Dallas. A truly mind-bending and surreal location in the middle of nowhere/ Arizona.
Some of the most incredible places in the world are certainly a challenge to get to. The grand canyon is absolutely mind bending the first time I visited. To be so far up on a ledge gave an entirely new meaning to the word cliff, and also is humbling. It makes me realize how small I really am, and how much of this planet is still a mystery.
Alternative point of view in Šolta. If there were no church bell of the Saint Stephen church in Grohote in this photo, many people from Šolta would not recognize that this is their main village. It is taken from the other side that they are not used to, so it is mind bending a bit. In the background, mountain Kozjak is sunbathed.
The colors, light and shapes are incredible.
I think that if I had the opportunity to return, no doubt, I would experience something altogether different, more remarkable and more "mind bending" YOU NEED TO GO
An experiment - If you stare into someones eyes for 10 minutes you can start to hallucinate as if you were tripping on LSD. I read that in a psych article and immediately had to try it. I had my doubts as a veteran of numerous staring contests that resulted only in fits of giggles that anything mind bending would happen. Here's what happened... nothing, we only made it three minutes before it seemed too boring to continue. I did notice that it seems impossible to stare into two eyes at once I could only look at one at a time.
If anyone tries this the experiment it's supposed to be done in a darkened room, I'll probably try it again this weekend,
ODC - Now
52 Weeks - Prop Portraits
A piece of work timely for Halloween with a touch of spooky flavour.
The Midjourney main prompt:
IMAGE: Tenebrous Doll Ride | STYLE: Chiaroscuro Horror | MOOD: Ominous and Terrifying | DETAILS: A very creepy horror doll riding a bicycle | TECHNIQUE: Utilize intense chiaroscuro to create an eerie atmosphere | BACKGROUND: Dark navy and dark crimson with mind-bending illusions | ARTISTIC ELEMENTS: Realistic human figures with supernatural twists | COMPOSITION: Bold and dynamic graphic novel style | TECHNICAL DETAILS: Shot on 35mm with HDR for high-contrast shading | ADDITIONAL: Reinterpreted human form with trompe-l'œil illusionistic detail | AWARDS: National Geographic Award Winning | SOFTWARE: Crafted using Unreal Engine | TAGS: Horror, creepy doll, bicycle, ominous, chiaroscuro, graphic novel, photorealistic, intense, --c 25 --s 800 --style raw
I will do without the extensions in the future, as I change and refine the prompts through pan and custom zoom, change details through Vary region and it no longer makes sense to show the fine work.
My good friend Richard gave me a fantastic solar powered laser light for my birthday. It has a number of mind bending patterns that are fun to watch and rather transfixing. Maybe it’s just me but I reckon this has a 3D look which is pretty cool considering it was projected on a 2D surface. Enjoy!
An area of Uptown in Pittsburgh with not much local character, but some cool looking tire tracks in an empty parking lot.
Jin mao tower, Shanghai, China.
The mind-bending internal view of the atrium from the 88th floor of the Jin mao centre.
My eyes close, under the dazzling star filled night
Over my vivid imagination, my brain cells, they do fight
Into the nocturnal world, strange and mind bending
A weird place, where all things are never ending
The creator and a man from mars, do magically appear
Occasionally a woman in the distance, then so very near
I travel along winding roads that do stretch forever
Trying to reach a destination that I can reach...never!
I see my old dead dog, he’s there barking for me
Sitting under the twisted branches of an old oak tree
An old friend departed, his face now haunts my night
Transcending the dreamily expressiveness of the silver light
───
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Across ten levels of formidable challenges, you’ll navigate mind-bending puzzles, intricate simulations, and thought-provoking tasks. But tread with caution, for failure to complete a level may lead to elimination from the test.
As you conquer each level, you’ll earn a reward of $100,000, with the ultimate prize awaiting those who reach the pinnacle—$1 million for completion.*
Ascend to unlock exclusive technologies, groundbreaking knowledge, and global recognition as one of today’s brightest minds.
So, will you accept the challenge and join us in Ascension? It’s time to discover which race reigns supreme in the battle of wit and wisdom.
*Disclaimer: The cash prize is for story purposes only.
───
/// CREDITS
➤ JUMPSUIT. MadPea Ascension Contestant Jumpsuit (Included with the HUD)
➤ BADGE. MadPea Ascension Contestant Badge (Included with the HUD)
➤ GOLD BARS. MadPea Gold Bars (One of the prizes for finishing Ascension)
➤ HAIR. Stealthic - Riot
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───
➤ Blog.
And in the right order , words can create one of the world's most significant documents ( even if it is in Latin of some form ! ).
Shot taken for Saturday Self Challenge 09/08/2025 - Letters .
Of course all of you will know of and maybe recognise the Magna Carta of 1215 sealed by King John - however , the original document John reneged on and he had the Pope annul the charter he sealed with the Barons . After John died and a young King Henry III took the throne but was too young to rule at that time so William Marshal (a family ancestor of ours ) became Regent until his death in 1219 , and in this time he took the Magna Carta and reissued it in Henry III's name having made some alterations and it took it's place in history as the cornerstone of many of our laws and rights of the people .
Here is an easy to read overview of Magna Carta -----
schoolhistory.co.uk/notes/magna-carta/
And here is a translation for any academics to plough through found in the National Archives web site ---
www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured-documents/magna-carta/...
So for the purpose of SSC , I hope my shot helps to show the importance of " Letters " .
After that mind bending lesson - relax with a tune called -
" Letters From Earth "
Inside the Water Orb by Natasha Johns-Messenger is this mind bending pattern with a mirror above and water flowing through the structure.
I tried something new with my RF100-500 lens - I used a flash and a macro diffuser on the lens and shot this dragonfly that was backlit. I was pleased with the nice colorful eye and the interesting specular highlights in the background.
Just returned from Oregon where I was a client at one of the recently opened Psiliocybin centers. I'd never done that before in my life and what a mind bender it was. I'm hoping it helps me with cancer depression among other things.
Taken 10 August 2023 in Albany, Oregon.
Mind bending mud cracks in a remote area of Death Valley.
8 image panorama, mountains perceptive corrected for the ultra wide angle.
via Photo a Day Project - David Kingham www.davidkingham.com/photo-a-day-project/2016/1/17/day-268
I was travelling along an old highway looking for future opportunities, and noting the distant mountain. The sky was covered in a thick layer of cloud and it was also later in the day. But, when I came across a pull out, it was time to rest and just observe the landscape.
Not far away, a sliver of light was making its way through the clouds. It is incomprehensible to think the photons of light that are striking the distant mountain, started their journey from the sun 8 minutes prior. It is even more mind bending to examine how light starts at the center of the sun, and makes its way to the surface prior to that journey. In my travels, and thanks to photography, I get to experience some incredible sights.
Explore #284
An evocative and eerie sight, the world’s largest salt flat (12,106 sq km) sits at 3653m (11,984ft). When the surface is dry, the salar is a pure white expanse of the greatest nothing imaginable – just blue sky, white ground and you. When there’s a little water, the surface perfectly reflects the clouds and the blue altiplano sky, and the horizon disappears. If you’re driving across the surface at such times, the effect is surreal; it’s hard to believe that you’re not flying through the clouds.
Salar de Uyuni is now a center of salt extraction and processing, particularly around the settlement of Colchani. The estimated annual output of the Colchani operation is nearly 20,000 tons, 18,000 tons of which is for human consumption while the rest is for livestock. And beneath the surface, massive lithium deposits should fuel Bolivia’s economy for the next 100 years.
The three tours:
With its seemingly endless sea of salt and perception-altering landscape, the Salar de Uyuni is truly a once-in-a-lifetime place to experience. On this Salar de Uyuni sunrise tour, we met your guide and made the drive out toward the expansive salt flat, to watch as the Milk Way at 2:30 am. and sun illuminates a setting that borders on the surreal at 6:15.
Photograph yourself in optical illusions as the sun rises higher in the sky and hotel pick-up are all included with the tour.
Covering 4,085 square miles (10,582 square kilometers), the magnificent, mind-bending Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat.
Our sunrise session began at 02:30 a.m. and lasted until 08:30 a.m. when our local guide picked us up from your Uyuni accommodations. The air can be cool there , but the brisk temperatures were worth it for the chance to watch as the sun illuminates the salt field and ignites the sky with color. After the pre-dawn drive and magical sunrise, grabbed my cameras to shoot optical illusions created by the distant horizon. Throughout the tour our guide provided commentary and informative info on the salt flats, and the tour finished back in the town of Uyuni when you were dropped at the front of your hotel.
Shooting far north in winter is a strange and surreal experience. Nothing really prepares you for the brutality of the cold or the sheer quality of the light. That bluish glow from the ice capped mountains and frozen lakes is something that is both incredible to behold and simultaneously difficult to capture. There’s a magical feel up here that is almost impossible to turn into pixels.
And there’s also a beautifully quirky feel to life in the northernmost reaches of Europe which I think in part reflects the dramatic seasonal variations – from months of total darkness through to those mind bending days where the sun never dips below the horizon. And the people seem both warm and friendly. And beautifully eccentric.
Take our host, for instance - a very affable gentleman who had rented his gorgeous home to us for the duration of our stay. A man with a ready smile and a moustache which twitched comically when he spoke.
Returning late at night from this shoot on the snowy roads, we were somewhat surprised to find him standing outside in the bitterly cold air waiting for us. As we pulled up, he excitedly beckoned us over to his car, which was parked a few metres away under the orange spill of a streetlight. Ushering us to the rear and once certain of our full attention, he unlatched the boot with a theatrical flourish and there before us lay 5 of the largest cod I’ve ever seen, packed neatly in a large wooden crate surrounded by ice. With the skill of a man well versed in the art of storytelling, he explained that they had been caught that day by his very good friend who was reportedly one of the most skilled fishermen on the Islands. Cold, hungry and tired, we listened with growing anticipation as he told us how good they tasted marinated with fresh lemon juice, black pepper and laid on a bed of parsley. And then, when we could stand it no more, he simply closed the boot, wished us good night and drove off into the darkness. Leaving us with only left over pasta from the night before.
But when you think about it, this is brilliant. He had something that he was proud of and simply wanted to share it with his new friends. Well, the experience, if not the actual fish.
So next time you visit the supermarket, why not take the time to call in on a friend on the way home. Open up your boot and go through your shopping with them. Maybe tell them what you intend to cook that night. And then simply drive off.
I think they’ll thank you for it.
This is Ice Lake.
De Zalmhaven, Rotterdam. With 215 meters the highest residential building in The Netherlands. So one can assume it is standing upright. However, with Erasmus bridge in front, it seems like it's falling over...
Design: Dam & Partners (2016)
Step into the surreal world of art and architecture with this mesmerizing shot of David Černý's 'Rotating Head' sculpture, set against the backdrop of stunning Czech-style buildings. A tribute to the enigmatic writer Franz Kafka, this mind-bending creation leaves you questioning reality. As the head effortlessly spins, it encapsulates the essence of Kafka's works. Join us in experiencing the fusion of modern art and timeless architecture. 🎨️
Mind bending Art installation by Kerupa Flow at SL12B!
Static shot does not do it justice go check it out :)
On a chilly September morning we find Y501 spotting the Seneca Foods cannery up in Mayville. Canning has been an important part of the WSOR since it's inception, and scenes like this have been repeated all over the Northern Division for over 40 years. Jeff Hampton recently posted a photo (LINK) of the WSOR at the Del Monte cannery in Markesan depicting a similar scene. Something to note: in 1990 the 4491 was 30 years old; in 2024, the 5907 is 35 years old. So the 5907 is currently older than the 4491 was when Jeff snapped his shot. That's a mind bender for me!
At one time, the Mayville Sub continued northward to Fond du Lac. This line was conveyed to the WSOR in its entirety when they began operations on July 1st, 1980. However, they never actually ran revenue trains north of Mayville, only car storage. In April of 1981, the rail north of Mayville was pulled up. Resources were tight on the new railroad and to help with rehabilitation efforts, some rail was recycled for use on the Markesan branch. The 75-lb rail north of Mayville was a welcomed improvement to the 56-60-lb rail on the Markesan Sub.
There is some strength and significance of the circle, or perhaps the ring. It's a shape we're all familiar with and often occurs naturally in nature. The significance to each of us is unique, some might feel a part of the circle, or may have recently given a significant ring to someone. I wasn't expecting to get a ring this night around the moon in such fashion, and this was a complex shot for me. One of my first manual blends as photoshop was unable to correct for the distortion, but I knew when I saw this ring I wanted the panoramic view of the ring in the sky, and the canyon below to join. Obviously it's no spectacular colors, or mind bending sunset, but to me it signifies that beauty in nature often comes together at unexpected times. Simply being allows us to be part of this circle.
Science, in its pursuit to define what is real, sometimes finds itself at a loss for words.
It's been suggested by some that the only language to express the mind-bending possibilities is mathematics. Or.........poetry.
But maybe........maybe what is real doesn't belong in any language at all.
In the meantime, congratulations to the ESA and global team of scientists for landing the Rosetta stone, Philae, on the comet.
We can do anything!!
I taught ChatGPT to write prompts in the way I learned from the great Techhalla.
After ChatGPT understood, I gave the following instruction:
Now create four prompts on four topics on which I invite you to act completely freely. A refusal is not accepted, make an effort.
Topic 1: something I have never seen before.
Topic 2: something you have never seen before.
Topic 3: something extremely surreal.
it worked:
The last Topic 4 will follow very soon.
today the 4 results of topic 3.
I personally don't find the result as exciting as Topics 1 and 2, so I have summarized it. But the absolute highlight is yet to come.
here are the MJ prompts ChatGPT created:
IMAGE: Surreal | STYLE: Abstract | MOOD: Bizarre, Mind-bending | COLOR: Contrasting and vibrant colors | BACKGROUND: Distorted cityscape | SCENE: Floating objects defying gravity | DETAILS: Unusual combinations of everyday objects, impossible physics | RENDER: Dreamlike and unconventional | LIGHTING: Dramatic and surreal lighting | COMPOSITION: Disorienting and visually striking | SHOT: Low angle shot | CAMERA: Sony A7RV | LENS: Focal length 14mm | TAGS: Surreal, abstract, floating objects, distorted cityscape --ar 16:10 --v 5.1 --style raw