8 Crazy and Unusual Photoshop Effects That Will Make You Say “What the…?!”

You know that feeling when you see an image and your brain just... stops for a second?

Not because it's beautiful or well-composed. Because it's weird. Because someone's face is splitting open with flowers pouring out, or a city is curled into a tiny floating planet, or two faces are melting into each other like some glitchy fever dream — and you immediately think: "Wait... what is that?! I'm doing it right now!"

That's what this is about.

These aren't your standard Photoshop tricks. They're the kind of effects that make you pause mid-scroll, lean closer to the screen, and immediately want to try it yourself. Some are mind-bending optical illusions. Some look like they belong on a retro-futuristic album cover. All of them make you go "Wait, what?" — and that's exactly the point.

So if you've ever wanted to break reality a little bit, mess with perspective, or just make something that looks absolutely insane in the best way possible — let's go.

1. Droste Effect

A visual loop that folds in on itself forever — a photograph that contains itself, again and again. This effect has roots in classic surrealism and optical illusion art, and it’s still one of the most mind-twisting edits you can make. Perfect for anyone who loves recursion, paradoxes, and slightly broken logic.

2. Split Face with Flowers

A surreal yet graceful concept — a portrait gently split open, revealing a bloom of flowers inside balancing strangeness with beauty. The result is delicate, editorial, and dreamlike — a visual metaphor for growth, creativity, or the beauty within.

3. Tiny Planet

Turn a regular panoramic or wide photo into a miniature “planet” where everything curves into a sphere. It’s playful, unexpected, and perfect for landscapes or city shots you want to make unforgettable.

4. 3D Sketch Popup

A clever crossover between illustration and photography. It makes a drawing leap off the page, blurring the line between flat and real. Think of it as a visual wink — a piece of concept art brought to life.

5. See-Through Person Effect

A clever trompe-l’oeil illusion that bends perspective — part mind-game, part visual trick. The effect creates a seamless window through the subject, revealing the scene behind them as if reality glitched for a moment. It’s one of those “double-take” images that make you grin and stare a little longer.

6. Invisible Man Photo Effect

The clothes remain, the person vanishes. It’s playful, uncanny, and weirdly satisfying — a nod to classic movie tricks and conceptual photography. Great for surreal storytelling or just confusing your audience in the best way possible.

7. Transparent Hands on Face (Double Exposure)

Part double exposure, part ghost overlay. The semi-transparent hands add emotion and tension, like an echo of movement or a memory pressed into the frame. It’s minimal but powerful — the kind of effect that sticks with you.

8. Face Liquid Stretch Fusion

A collision of two faces melted into one — distorted, fluid, and strangely hypnotic. The stretched forms and warped glasses tap straight into that Y2K / retro-futuristic aesthetic you see in underground design, glitch art, and experimental album covers. It’s bold, freaky, and pure visual chaos — in the best possible way.

Resources for Eye-Catching Artwork

Explore these hand-picked downloads to enhance your compositions and build more visually engaging pieces.

Forgotten Cottage: 3 Free Cottagecore Junk Journal Backgrounds

Discover the charm of Forgotten Cottage with this free set of 3 high-resolution cottagecore collage backgrounds, crafted to spark inspiration and add a touch of rustic nostalgia to your creative projects. These designs are drawn from the full Forgotten Cottage collection of 200 backgrounds and collage papers — and this free

Photoshop RoadmapCreative Closeup

Photoshop Brush Arsenal: 5000 Premium Brushes in One Pack

This extensive bundle offers 5000 Photoshop brushes, providing a comprehensive resource for various design tasks. It aims to streamline workflows by offering a wide range of assets, suitable for both new projects and refining existing artwork. The collection supports diverse creative applications without requiring constant searching for specific tools. The

Photoshop RoadmapGUMROAD

Create Typography Effects with Type01 Photoshop Action

The Type01 Photoshop Action by Sevenstyles streamlines the process of creating compelling typography photo effects.

Photoshop RoadmapEnvato Market

Vinyl Wonders: 150 Playful Vinyl Toys Clip Art Collection

Vinyl Wonders: 150 Playful Vinyl Toys Clip Art is a fun and colorful collection of 150 high-quality images featuring toy-inspired figures, tasty food items, and delightful sweet treats. Each design has a smooth, polished vinyl look that makes them perfect for adding a cheerful and modern touch to your projects.

Photoshop RoadmapCreative Closeup

Create Distinctive Halftone Effects with Bitmap Halftone FX

Bitmap Halftone FX is an Adobe Photoshop tool for applying diverse bitmap halftone patterns. Compatible with Photoshop CS and CC, it offers options for circles, lines, diamonds, and crosses. Users can customize sizes and directions for shadows, highlights, and midtones, generating a wide array of visual effects. The script works

Photoshop RoadmapGUMROAD

Color Tides: 5 Free Hypercolor Liquid Paint Backgrounds

Introducing Color Tides, a set of 5 free high-resolution liquid paint backgrounds designed to bring a sense of flow, vibrancy, and elegance to your creative projects. These stunning, AI-generated visuals showcase the dynamic beauty of liquid paint blending into mesmerizing patterns and ripples. Each image is provided in JPG format

Photoshop RoadmapCreative Closeup

The Enchanted Forest Path Free Backgrounds Collection

The Enchanted Forest Path is a mesmerizing collection of 25 high-resolution illustrations that transports viewers into a world where magic lingers in every shadow and sparkles in every leaf. Each image captures the otherworldly beauty of a mystical forest, illuminated by soft twilight, shimmering stardust, and mysterious lights that guide

Photoshop RoadmapCreative Closeup

Stunning 21 Epic Fx Photoshop Actions and Templates Bundle

This bundle of Photoshop actions and templates offers a powerful toolkit for photographers and graphic designers looking to add unique effects to their projects. Whether you’re creating social media graphics, website banners, or printed materials, this collection will enhance your work with artistic flair. The bundle includes 17 Photoshop actions

Photoshop RoadmapDealjumbo

You've got the effects. You've got the resources.

Now go break some reality.

Thanks for Reading — Want More Like This?

Subscribe to the Photoshop Roadmap newsletter for more expert tutorials and insights delivered directly to your inbox.