The effect of having an “infinite” array of images produced by placing two images parallel to one another is depicted in this photograph. Although it may seem that an infinite number of images of the same object exist in such a setup, this is merely how photography devices and we humans observe this illusion, for there cannot be an infinite quantity of images with such mirrors. We slightly angled on of the mirrors to provide a better overall effect, where the candle and its flame are shown continuing indefinitely into a dark abyss. Two factors are at play in producing such an effect: Firstly, because no mirror is perfectly reflective, the increasing number of reflections are layers of the same image with slightly less light intensity, which results from the mirrors absorbing light on each successive reflection. Thus, mathematically, the light’s intensity diminishes per square of the path length. Secondly, the images perpetually decrease in size until they are no longer discernable amidst the dimness of the continuous reflections. Our ability to identify this “infinity” sequence is solely based on our eyes or camera’s ability to detect or resolve the slight nuances in both image size and dimness.

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Numan Ekrekli & Ibrahim Aksahan
Nile Academy, Toronto, ON
First Prize ( High School Class Category )

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