I may originally have stumbled across this trick looking at repetitive patterns. I distinctly recall automobile upholstery (with a regular recurring ventilation pattern). In particular, abberations in the pattern (dirt, missed holes, etc.) stood out.

Similarly, acoustic ceiling tiles, repeating patterns on wallpaper, rugs, or draperies, building faces, etc.

This may be a superpower to some, or a supertorment to those with OCD ;-)