Tiago Silva is a Portuguese photographer who creates stunning optical illusions with his camera. He uses shadows, perspective, colors, and creative ideas to transform ordinary scenes into surreal and playful images. He uses no editing software or montage techniques to achieve his effects. He only relies on his imagination and timing.
Source: umtiago
Have you seen a duck with a human body?
Does anyone need a street ice cream?
Let Gulliver take this little Lilliput back before he falls into the water.
One of the most common elements Tiago Silva uses in his illusions is the sun. He often positions himself or his subjects so that they interact with the sun’s rays or shape. For example, in one of his photos, he appears to be holding the sun like a ball. In another, he seems to be blowing a bubble that contains the sun. In yet another, he pretends to be playing soccer with the sun as the ball.
Let us dive into the loophole.
Can you understand what he is doing? Is he upside or downside?
Let me make this minor adjustment.
To create these illusions, Tiago Silva has to wait for the right moment when the sun is low on the horizon, aligning with his camera angle. He also has to adjust his distance and position to match the size and shape of the sun. He loves using his wide-angle lens to snap more of the scene and give his photos a sense of depth and scale.
He has unusually long legs, don’t you agree?
Wait a minute; what is this I’m looking at? Who’s legs are those?
Another element that Tiago Silva uses frequently is shadows. He plays with the contrast between light and dark to create interesting shapes and patterns. For example, in one of his photos, he cleverly uses the shadow of a bicycle wheel to make it appear like he’s sporting a monocle. In another photo, he creatively uses the shadow of a palm tree to give the illusion that he’s rocking a mohawk hairstyle. In yet another photo, he ingeniously uses the shadow of a building to make it seem like he’s donning a cape.
A giant woman holding two little men
Let me fix what you’re missing; this is the right piece, right?
To create these illusions, Tiago Silva has to find a suitable location with strong shadows and clear backgrounds. He must also choose the right time of day when the shadows are long and sharp. He uses a fast shutter speed to freeze the movement of the shadows and a small aperture to keep everything in focus.
Did humans become smaller?
Okay, that is the other part of these broken spectacles.
Tiago Silva often uses graffiti as an element for his photos. He finds colorful and artistic murals that he can incorporate into his illusions. For example, in one of his photos, he uses graffiti on a woman’s face to make it look like he is kissing her. In another photo, he cleverly positions himself next to graffiti of a bird to make it appear as though he was holding it in his hand. In yet another, he uses graffiti of an eye to make it look like he is peeking through it.
Meet the chair leg man.
To create these illusions, Tiago Silva has to scout for locations where there are interesting and expressive graffiti. He also has to position himself or his subjects in such a way that they blend in with the graffiti and create a seamless composition. He uses a large aperture to blur the background and isolate the subject from the surroundings.
Well, that fits too
Tiago Silva’s photography is fun, creative, inspiring, and challenging. He shows us that we can see the world differently and find beauty and humor in everyday situations. He also encourages us to experiment with our ideas and perspectives and create our optical illusions with photography.
Wow, he has a great balance.
Tiago Silva says that he hopes to inspire people with his photography and make them see the world differently. He strongly believes creativity is an amazing way to express yourself and make a positive difference. He says he always tries to “have fun and enjoy the process” of creating his illusions.
Oh, let me check what is going on over there.
Tiago Silva has collaborated with many brands and organizations, such as Apple, Netflix, Ikea, Smart, and Levi’s. He has also exhibited his work in various countries, such as Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Singapore. He has got a massive following of loyal fans on Instagram, where he posts his photos and videos regularly. He has over 86 thousand followers on his account.
Best place to relax
If you want to see more of Tiago Silva’s work, follow him on Instagram. You can also try some of his techniques and share your results with him using the hashtag #umtiago.
