Final answer:
Virtual images can be seen and photographed because cameras are capable of focusing on the light rays as if they were coming from a real object. They, however, cannot be directly projected onto a screen, as this requires light rays to converge in real space, unlike virtual images, which only appear to do so.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Virtual Images
Can you see a virtual image? The answer is yes, virtual images can be seen. They are not formed by light coming to a direct focal point or arriving at your eyes from a real, tangible spot. Instead, they are formed in such a way that the light rays appear to come from a location behind the mirror or lens, and the brain interprets this as an image. This is commonly experienced when looking into a flat mirror; the image appears to be behind the mirror's surface.
Can you photograph a virtual image? The answer is also yes. While it might seem counterintuitive, a camera can capture a virtual image because its lens is capable of focusing on the light rays reflected from the mirror just as it would with direct light rays from a real object. Thus, a camera captures the image formed by the light rays as they appear to come from behind the mirror.
Can a virtual image be projected onto a screen with additional lenses or mirrors? The answer is no. Virtual images cannot be directly projected on a screen because the light rays do not converge in real space. However, real images, which are formed by converging light rays, can indeed be projected onto a surface.