Why Do Short Internet Videos Often Have Reversed L-R Images and Not Mirrors?

Short internet videos, particularly those created with social media apps like TikTok, occasionally appear with reversed left-right images. This phenomenon can be confusing for users, but it primarily stems from the unique camera settings used in these apps. Let's delve into the reasons behind this and how it impacts the user experience.

Understanding the Reversed Image Issue

These reversed images are a result of the way smartphones record videos in selfie mode. Most smartphones have a forward-facing camera, which records video from the perspective of the user. When you are filming yourself with the front camera, the app reverses the live preview image left-right. Thus, what you see on the screen is how you actually look, with your left hand appearing on the left side of the image instead of the right side, as it would appear if the video was recorded in normal mode, facing you.

The Reason for the Reversal

The purpose of this reversal is to ensure that you see a correct representation of yourself on the screen. This is particularly important for aesthetic reasons, especially when users perform dances or lip-syncing, where the alignment of movements is crucial.

User Experience for TikTok Style Videos

For most TikTok-style videos, the reversed image does not pose a significant problem. Users simply record and play back the video to ensure that their movements are correct. The reversal is not corrected after recording unless the user manually does so, which can be unnecessary and potentially confusing.

Challenges in Reshooting Video

Suppose you need to reshoot a video because you want your left hand to be in a specific position relative to the background. In this case, you check your first take to ensure the hand is correctly positioned. However, if the phone automatically corrects the live preview after you release the shutter, the image in the preview differs from the actual recording. This difference can be misleading and confusing, as it goes against the user's natural expectation of how a video should look.

Zooming into TikTok's Camera Settings

TikTok is specifically designed for creating selfies and short videos, making it user-friendly in terms of reversing the image. The application keeps the image reversed even after the recording is complete. This feature ensures that users can easily compare shots and make necessary adjustments without the confusion that might arise from a corrected image.

User Preferences and Convenience

Importantly, most TikTok users do not manually flip the video before uploading. Since the app reverses the image consistently, users become accustomed to this feature, and the manual correction step is often skipped, saving time and maintaining user convenience.

Conclusion

The reversed left-right images in short internet videos, particularly those created with TikTok, are a deliberate feature of the app's design. This reversal enhances the user experience by providing a correct visual representation in real-time, especially for performance-based content. While initially confusing for users, the feature benefits from widespread habit and convenience in the TikTok ecosystem.

Even though I have not personally used the TikTok app, the rationale behind such design choices aligns with the goals of making the application intuitive and user-friendly for content creation.