Figure-Ground Perception

Gestalt Rules of Perceptual Organization
There are many ways we view objects as a whole.

Figure-ground Perception
When looking at figure-ground perception, it is when we look at a figure in its back ground.  These words are the figure and the white background is what is represented behind the words. Whereas, if we look at the white as the figure and the words as the background it creates a different image.
These pictures are great examples of the figure-ground perception.


http://jenpearce.wordpress.com/

Do you see turtles or bells?


http://environmentalet.hypermart.net/psy111/sensperclinks.htm

Chalice or two faces?


In fact, when looking at this same picture years from now your brain will automatically see the faces right away because this perception is forever placed in your memory.