If depth perception works because the brain checks the difference in the position of the object between the two eyes and concludes how far away it is, how can we still see depth when one eye is closed?

Question

If depth perception works because the brain checks the difference in the position of the object between the two eyes and concludes how far away it is, how can we still see depth when one eye is closed?

In: 3602

Answer 1

That kind of perspective is called ocular disparity and it’s only one kind of perspective. Others include:

Linear perspective, like you learn in art class

Retinal size: the closer something is the bigger it looks. So if you see two adult men about the same size , but one looks smaller, you subconsciously estimate distance based on that difference. Also works in coordination with linear perspective.

Overlay (I don’t actually remember the name of this one): closer things block the sight of things behind them.

Atmospheric perspective: blue and more neutral things look farther away. Think about how mountains look in the distance. Why they so grey-blue when if you get up close they’re bright green with trees? It’s because when youre far away you’re seeing the mountain through 12 miles of atmosphere, aka sky, and the sky is blue.