The Eshima Ohashi Bridge Ramp

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In the photo and 15-second video posted above, the ramp to the Eshima Ohashi Bridge in Japan looks like it’s almost at a 90-degree angle. The incline is so steep that you’d think it would be impossible to drive up or down the ramp, yet people are apparently doing so without difficulty.

But what you’re seeing is an optical illusion and the slope really isn’t as precipitous as it seems. The illusion is due to the angle and distance from which the ramp is photographed or filmed, the use of a telephoto lens, and the height of the bridge.

An article in The Japan News explains this in more detail:
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/features/japan-focus/20210508-62433/

The photo below, taken from the side of the bridge, provides a more realistic view. The incline still looks pretty steep, but certainly less formidable than it appears in the video and first photo…

ElwoodBlues · M

Telephoto lenses are wonderful things, especially the way they seem to compress distance!! Here's the same bridge with a more ordinary lens:

Rutterman · 46-50, M

@ElwoodBlues Yes. You can see how the telephoto lens exaggerates the steepness of the incline when compared with your photo.