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Stare at the dot in the center of the video for about 30 seconds. Yes, 30 seconds is longer than you think. Keep staring. Suddenly it will come into color - or is it gray?

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qA2brNUo7WA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

If the video isn't displayed, click this link:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/qA2brNUo7WA?rel=0

This is an optical illusion with color. The first 30 - or so - seconds of the video shows a pale photo somewhat reminiscent of film negatives (remember those). Remember, just stare at the dot in the center and continue to stare once you notice a change...

The video switches to grayscale. But our mind sees the gray image in full color until our eyes (and brain) begin to register that it is really gray. The colors you see are the complementary colors to the colors displayed during the first half of the video.

Fascinating! 

James Gurney had a link to this video from his "Gurney Journey" blog.