How to levitate by standing next to a wet spot on the sidewalk

Mark Frauenfelder at 11:59 AM February 9, 2010

201002091158 I like this illusion.

23 Comments Add a comment

joeposts #1 12:07 on Tue, Feb. 9 Reply

Is that how David Blaine does it?

merreborn replied to comment from joeposts #2 12:10 on Tue, Feb. 9 Reply

First thing I thought of as well.

For the record, Blaine uses a combination of camera tricks and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balducci_levitation

roryrhorerton #3 12:20 on Tue, Feb. 9 Reply

Also, to take this photo without 'shopping, you'd need to do it at the exact time the sun is directly overhead, or else your own shadow is gonna ruin things. Also, you better hope you're no wider than your feet, or else your shadow will give you away then, too.

suburbanburn #4 12:21 on Tue, Feb. 9 Reply

Do not attempt this illusion on a sunny day. Shadow will destroy illusion.

Anon #5 12:24 on Tue, Feb. 9 Reply

Only works on an overcast day, eh?

Anon #6 12:32 on Tue, Feb. 9 Reply

I still can't get my mind to show me him levitating.

Precarious Loaf #7 12:38 on Tue, Feb. 9 Reply

I do the same illusion in bed.

gollux #8 12:51 on Tue, Feb. 9 Reply

And after watching that Mandelbrot thing, I see him alternatively hovering and standing. Bad visual acid trip...

Chris Spurgeon #9 12:56 on Tue, Feb. 9 Reply

All I can say is thank goodness that that guy isn't holding a pink Oujia board.

coop #10 13:05 on Tue, Feb. 9 Reply

Anon @6

Don't look at his feet, look at his face or chest, and 'just barely notice' the spot. It does look like a shadow over which he is hovering.

neat

Anon #11 13:06 on Tue, Feb. 9 Reply

at high noon

Anon #12 14:16 on Tue, Feb. 9 Reply

But how did the wet spot get there to begin with?

InsertFingerHere #13 15:51 on Tue, Feb. 9 Reply

Homeless people call the 'Doug Henning'.

Anon #14 19:09 on Tue, Feb. 9 Reply

I am not convinced. The light looks strong enough to cast a shadow, but I don't see any shadowing, not even between his feet. If I zoom in on the pram in the right, I can see some shadowing.

oheso replied to comment from Precarious Loaf #15 20:06 on Tue, Feb. 9 Reply

You beat me to it!

Anon #16 01:18 on Wed, Feb.10 Reply

It seams that Romanians can levitate.The picture was taken in Iasi Romania.Cool!

Anon #17 03:39 on Wed, Feb.10 Reply

Who pissed on the sidewalk?

Anon #18 05:58 on Wed, Feb.10 Reply

You can however see the shadow under the toe of his right foot. Remember kids photo shop exists.

The Smith.

Anon #19 05:01 on Thu, Feb.11 Reply

this illusion is simple, can be done on ANY DAY.

doesn't matter if it is sunny or cloudy, all you need is photoshop to edit the picture to remove your shadow.

a very well done image though.

Anon #20 13:34 on Thu, Feb.11 Reply

Just cover the wet spot with your finger tip and the illusion disappears !!

Anon #21 13:57 on Thu, Feb.11 Reply

Once you see... you can't un-see...

Anon #22 09:03 on Sun, Feb.14 Reply

he actually stand on road and the wet spot is on his north east few inches away. lol

motus-anima #23 17:05 on Mon, Feb.15 Reply

Photoshop or not, this is a nice illusion.

Add a comment

Anonymous

Read the full moderation policy. Thank you!

• illusions

shopping! Features

Reviews

shopping! Videos

More Features