Here’s a useful write-up on (interpreting it as a specific, notable aftereffect—likely visual or perceptual, such as the Motion Aftereffect or a specific plugin/output in Adobe After Effects). I’ll cover the most common interpretation: the Motion Aftereffect (MAE) , also known as the waterfall illusion. The Motion Aftereffect: Why Stillness Seems to Move What is it? The motion aftereffect (MAE) is a visual illusion where, after viewing a moving stimulus for 30–60 seconds, a stationary scene appears to drift in the opposite direction. The classic example: stare at a waterfall, then look at the rocks beside it—the rocks seem to flow upward.
Neural adaptation. Your brain contains motion-sensitive neurons tuned to specific directions (e.g., downward). Prolonged exposure to downward motion fatigues those neurons, while opposing (upward) neurons remain active. When you shift to a stationary scene, the unbalanced signal creates the illusion of upward movement. particular after effect