Motion Perception

Motion perception is the process of inferring speed and direction of elements in a scene based on visual, vestibular and proprioceptive inputs. The picture below of an open flame implies that it is moving even though it isn't.

Law of Proximity

Proximity is the idea that groups of objects in the same general area or proximity will often times be organized together to either create a new shape or separate itself from the other objects due to the area of space the shapes fill in. In the picture below there 2 rectangles, each formed by 6 circles. Your mind will automatically separate these groups of circles, this is the law of proximity.

Law of Similarity

Is the idea that the mind will group together objects or thoughts with similar characteristics. An example of the law of similarity is how the thought of a library is often associated with books, or how in the picture below your mind notices rows of circles and triangles rather then the pattern of the columns of triangles and circles.

Law of Figure-Ground Perception

This is the mind eventual focusing on a certain plot or pattern that creates a familiar image and disregards the other image which is present in the background usually represented with contrasting colors such as black and white. Then when the brain focus's on the background it becomes harder to see the initial image. In the image below, if you focus on the white shape you might see a vase, not noticing the to black faces looking at each other in the background.

Law of Continuity

Continuity is the idea that we tend to extend objects when they are aligned. The eye will continue to follow the line of objects especially if the alignment is smooth.

Binocular Cue

 

Binocular cues provide depth information when viewing a scene with both eyes an example would be when you are looking at your pencil extended at arms length and slowly move it in closer to your face you feel the muscles in your eyes straining. The video above shows a student moving the camera closer to his face and as he does this his eyes begin to cross demonstrating a binocular cue then when it zooms out the eyes realign properly.

Monocular Cues

Monocular cues provide depth information when viewing a scene with one eye. An example of this would be the picture shown below.  We can tell that the last desk is farther away than the other ones because the biggest one looks closer than the others and our mind sees that the others are farther away creating depth in the picture.









Same goes for this picture of the lights below.