Selfies are mirrored because they aim to replicate the familiar view you see when looking at yourself in a mirror.
The Mirror Effect Explained
When you look at your reflection in a mirror, you're seeing a reversed image. Your left side appears on the right, and vice-versa. This is what we're used to seeing when we look at ourselves, so it is also what feels "natural" to our eyes.
- Habitual Perception: Our brains have become accustomed to seeing ourselves in this reversed format.
- Psychological Comfort: When the front-facing camera displays the image as a mirror, we see ourselves as we are used to seeing ourselves, making the image feel more "right."
How Front-Facing Cameras Work
Front-facing cameras on smartphones generally capture a "real-time" image. However, the default setting often mirrors the captured image to match the mirror effect:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Default Setting | Most front-facing cameras mirror the image by default, showing the image as if you were looking at yourself in a mirror. |
| Why it's mirrored | This is intended to provide a more comfortable and familiar user experience. It mimics the reflection you see when looking at yourself in a mirror, a view most people are accustomed to seeing. |
| Option to disable mirroring | Most camera apps provide an option to disable the mirroring effect. This results in the camera showing the picture as it captures the image, showing the world as others see it, which is not flipped. |
Practical Implications
- Recognizability: Seeing yourself mirrored allows you to recognize yourself more easily, given that this is the way you’re most familiar with your own appearance.
- Symmetry Perception: When a photo is flipped, subtle asymmetries in your face, which are often imperceptible, can become more apparent and sometimes less appealing to you.
- Personal Preference: While some people prefer mirrored selfies, others prefer the un-mirrored version because they want to capture how they truly look to others.
- Photo Sharing: If you share a mirrored selfie with someone, they are not going to see you as you see yourself in the photo.
In Conclusion
The mirrored selfie is a result of our brains being accustomed to seeing ourselves through the reflection of a mirror. Front-facing cameras mirror the image by default to provide a sense of comfort and familiarity. As explained by the reference, this behavior "mimic[s] the reflection you see when looking at yourself in a mirror," catering to a perception we are used to. Many people have grown accustomed to this mirrored image, making it feel more natural when taking a selfie, hence the default setting.
