Photographer Simon Menner has captured an incredible optical illusion as part of his “Camouflage” series, showcasing the stealth skills of snipers who are perfectly concealed within their surroundings. In one striking image, viewers are challenged to spot a hidden sniper lying on his belly with a firearm pointed directly at the camera. Menner was given special access by the German, Latvian, and Lithuanian armed forces to photograph snipers during training exercises. Despite staring directly at the camera, the snipers are so well hidden that even Menner struggled to find them while capturing the shots.
According to Menner, the level of professionalism displayed by the snipers means that they are practically invisible, with no trace of their presence even when the images are examined pixel by pixel. The optical illusion has proven to be quite difficult for many viewers, who are told they have the “eyes of a marksman” if they can spot the sniper in 30 seconds. The hidden sniper is located on the second floor of a seemingly deserted building in the distance, cleverly blending into the corner with his weapon aimed at the viewer
Menner finds it fascinating to see people’s reactions to his work, noting that viewers often second-guess themselves when trying to locate the snipers in the photos. His series not only highlights the incredible camouflage abilities of trained snipers but also challenges the perception of visibility and concealment in photography.
