Thursday, April 02, 2009

I don't know how to see the hidden images in "Magic Eye" posters.

This evening I'm meeting Chris to see Watchmen on an IMAX screen in Northern Virginia -- yes, I'm the last person in America who wanted to see Watchmen and hasn't already done so.

I'm pretty excited about this. The last conventional movie I saw on an IMAX screen was the first Batman, on a screen somewhere in Texas when I was there on business.

Tomorrow night, depending on my other commitments, I think I'm going to see Monsters vs. Aliens in IMAX 3-D, taking it to the next level.

What I don't know is whether I'll get the full effect of these movies -- and yes, it does have to do with my inability to see the 3-D images in Magic Eye pictures. Maybe.

Because I don't know why I can't see the Magic Eye images. I've never been able to, even though people have tried to teach me, and I've found websites that give instructions. I'm good at looking into the middle distance; I have no problem letting my eyes drift out of focus; I cannot see those dumb pictures.

I suspect that it has something to do -- although, why would it? -- with my mild form of retinitis pigmentosa, which limits my field of vision and makes it hard for me to see in dim light. I'm never quite sure where the boundaries of my field of vision are, and it's possible that the 3D images in Magic Eye pictures materialize somewhere in the middle where I just don't see.

Can you see Magic Eye pictures? Don't bother giving me advice about how to do it, I've tried everything.

13 comments:

steve said...

I can't see them either...unless they are under glass.

Kris

Judy Bobalik said...

I can't see them either.

Claire said...

I can! When I was younger I used to cross my eyes to see the pictures, rather than relax them, and I was very confused because if you cros syour eyes, the image is visible but it's receded, instead of popping out.

Anonymous said...

I can see them, but I do not have much luck with the new 3-D glasses.I watched the super bowl ad in 3D and the episode of "Chuck" in 3D. It was very hard on my eyes- mostly with the glasses but also because "Chuck" is terrible show. (in my HO)

RBo

norby said...

I can't see them no matter what I do, I always blame my astigmatism in my right eye. It's a big word and people buy it. I have no idea if it's true or not.

Ed Lamb said...

I don't see anything in 3-D since I only use my right eye to see. On the plus side, I never have to wear those red-green paper shades.

Anna said...

I'll add myself to the growing list of your friends who can't see them either. Aren't you relieved there are others?

Anonymous said...

I can't see them either. I always thought it was because I just didn't have the patience. Who knows.

-kathleen

lawlis42 said...

Is it sharing too much to say that the only time I was ever able to see those images is when I was under the influence of a certain, unmentionable but probably you'll guess what it is anyway substance?
I think those things were designed by someone who spent hours upon hours laughing all the way to bank as they thought about the countless numbers of people gathered around one of those bizarre pictures trying desperately to see the secret within. I loathe them.
P.S. I love "Chuck". I even tivo it.

Moira said...

I saw it once and then couldn't get it back. It was very frustrating. But I guess not as frustrating as never seeing it. At lease you know you are not alone.

Anonymous said...

I always assumed it was because of the person's way of thinking. Much in the same way it is nearly impossible to hypnotize a person who is very analytical or skeptical, so to would a person have trouble seeing the image if they go into it with any disbelief or with the intention of proving that it does not work.

But if you also have a tendency to "overthink" a situation, then I can see how that would hurt you too.

Ellen Clair Lamb said...

Possibly, but I'm a very easy subject to hypnotize, and have no trouble meditating.

Linda Brown said...

Tim can see them; I cannot. A friend of mine who was cross-eyed as a kid -- as was I -- can't see them, either. I suspect it has something to do with the way our eyes work. That, and I think they're stupid. But that's just because I can't do it. ;-)