We've spotted tons of people doing this on Flickr. They're setting up their desktop images to match what's behind them, making the computer screen look transparent. Are we missing something? Has this been done for, like, ever? The "special effect" is suprising, and the idea does its little part in reducing the interruption of space. We think we like it. See more examples of what appears to be an epidemic after the jump...
Veronica & Keith's Handmade Chic 
Before & After: A Bathroom Goes From Pinky Peach to Sleek and Chic
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Hunslet Dinner Plate
A Beginner's Guide to Superb Stir-Fry: Quick, Healthy Meals from a Wok
Easy Pitcher Cocktail Recipe: Strawberry Basil Margaritas
Comments (14)
I think I need to do that at work.
This is only going to work from one precise viewing angle and distance...
Personally I would find this confusing -- too much visual clutter
clever and fun
very interesting...except the one with all the cords...they need to read the book...
There's a pretty impressive hack to be able to make the picture change to a virtual 3d environment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd3-eiid-Uw), and by combining this and a "virtual" screensaver background on a mac, or a webcam aVis, audio visualisation / 360 degree panoramic static picture compatible with Winamp for a PC, so the illusion would work in EVERY angle. Then again, too much tech and devotion for most people, but doable and more "real" if you're going to be a b*tch about having to be at a "precise viewing angle and distance".
I wish I had that kind of time.
Yeah, this has been going on forever. I think it was really popular about a year ago maybe? Anyway, still pretty cool. The iMac one is especially impressive. How did she get the metal bar thing in the picture?
Isn't this the same basic technology that they use to make army tanks invisible?
I did this...about 8 years ago. Old news.
I think my husband has one of the best examples of this ... :D
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smorgan42/206648622/
that black cat is about to take a swipe at the photographer!
This is a parlour trick, they don't actually leave the background like that.
No, this could really be awesome. I understand the whole "only works from one angle", but what if that angle was you at your desk and your computer was always set up in the same spot. How neat. I've never seen this before.