Hux,
I think you pretty much have nailed it. It's all about depth perception, where your eye instantly, if not instinctly takes you by seeing something that might deceive your perception.
The ways MacKenzie did it just wasn't with bunkering either. It's where he placed his golf holes. For instance on many of his holes, he would plan from a raised tee, uphill to a greensite. While it would look less uphill because of the rised teeing surface, it would actually be extremely uphill. Pasatiempo #3, 5, & 11; VCofM #8 & 15 would be perfect examples of this. Simply stated, they play longer then they look. the same can be said of downhill holes too, like Pasatiempo #4, #12, etc. Bunkers, strategically placed would add further depth-perception, like the bunker right of VCofM #2. From the fairway that bunker looks like its right in front of the right side of the green, when in all actuality its at least twenty yards in front of it.
That's deception. That's camoflauge.
I have to find it, but there is an old article my Dr. Mac which explains his camoflauge theories in regards to golf. As soon as I can find it, I'll post it.