Mirror Effects

Create mirror and kaleidoscope effects with horizontal, vertical, both-axis, and quadrant-based symmetry patterns. Perfect for artistic effects, symmetrical compositions, and creative designs.

Overview

The mirror command creates symmetrical effects by mirroring image content along different axes:

• Horizontal: Mirror left-right for lateral symmetry
• Vertical: Mirror top-bottom for water reflections
• Both: Mirror both axes for 4-way symmetry
• Quad: Kaleidoscope effect with quadrant mirroring

Creates striking symmetrical patterns ideal for:

• Water reflection effects
• Symmetrical portraits
• Kaleidoscope and mandala art
• Abstract symmetrical designs
• Rorschach-style images
• Architectural symmetry

Syntax

Options

Mirror Modes

Horizontal Mode

Mirrors image left-to-right, creating lateral symmetry.

Result: Image width doubles, left side mirrored to right

Best for:

• Face symmetry experiments
• Bilateral symmetry
• Left-right balance
• Butterfly effects

Vertical Mode

Mirrors image top-to-bottom, creating vertical symmetry.

Result: Image height doubles, top side mirrored to bottom

Best for:

• Water reflections
• Sky/ground symmetry
• Vertical balance
• Lake/mirror effects

Both Mode

Mirrors image on both axes simultaneously.

Result: Image dimensions double, 4-way symmetry

Best for:

• Complete symmetry
• Geometric patterns
• Mandala-style designs
• Abstract art

Quad Mode

Creates kaleidoscope effect by mirroring center quadrant.

Result: Extracts center, creates 4-way mirror kaleidoscope

Best for:

• Kaleidoscope art
• Mandala patterns
• Psychedelic effects
• Abstract symmetry

Basic Examples

Horizontal Mirror

Create left-right symmetry:

mediaproc image mirror photo.jpg -m horizontal

Output: photo-mirror-horizontal.jpg (width × 2)

Vertical Mirror

Create water reflection effect:

mediaproc image mirror landscape.jpg -m vertical

Output: landscape-mirror-vertical.jpg (height × 2)

Both Axes

Create 4-way symmetry:

mediaproc image mirror pattern.jpg -m both

Output: pattern-mirror-both.jpg (width × 2, height × 2)

Kaleidoscope

Create mandala-style effect:

mediaproc image mirror face.jpg -m quad

Output: face-mirror-quad.jpg (kaleidoscope pattern)

Creative Examples

Water Reflection

Create realistic water reflection:

# Vertical mirror for water effect
mediaproc image mirror mountain.jpg -m vertical -o mountain-reflection.jpg

Perfect for:

• Landscape photos
• Architecture over water
• Sunset/sunrise scenes
• Lake/ocean reflections

Face Symmetry

Explore facial symmetry:

# Horizontal mirror for face symmetry
mediaproc image mirror portrait.jpg -m horizontal -o face-symmetric.jpg

Creates:

• Left side mirrored to right
• Perfect bilateral symmetry
• Interesting perspective on faces
• Artistic portrait effect

Mandala Creation

Create mandala-style art:

# Quad mode for kaleidoscope
mediaproc image mirror flower.jpg -m quad -o mandala.jpg

Perfect for:

• Flower patterns
• Geometric designs
• Spiritual/meditative art
• Decorative patterns

Abstract Art

Create abstract symmetrical patterns:

# Both axes for complete symmetry
mediaproc image mirror texture.jpg -m both -o abstract.jpg

Great for:

• Texture patterns
• Abstract backgrounds
• Wallpaper designs
• Artistic compositions

Rorschach Style

Create inkblot-style images:

# Horizontal or vertical for inkblot effect
mediaproc image mirror paint-splash.jpg -m horizontal -o rorschach.jpg

Perfect for:

• Paint splashes
• Ink blots
• Abstract shapes
• Psychological art

Architectural Symmetry

Emphasize architectural symmetry:

# Horizontal for building symmetry
mediaproc image mirror building.jpg -m horizontal -o symmetric-building.jpg

Ideal for:

• Symmetrical buildings
• Facades
• Monuments
• Architectural details

Advanced Examples

Custom Output Path

Specify custom output location:

mediaproc image mirror photo.jpg -m quad -o output/kaleidoscope.jpg

Batch Processing

Mirror multiple images:

# Mirror all images in directory
for img in photos/*.jpg; do
  mediaproc image mirror "$img" -m horizontal
done

Verbose Mode

See detailed processing information:

mediaproc image mirror image.jpg -m both -v

Output:

Dry Run

Preview without processing:

mediaproc image mirror photo.jpg -m quad --dry-run

Shows what would be processed without creating files.

Chain with Other Commands

Combine mirror with other effects:

# Mirror then optimize
mediaproc image mirror photo.jpg -m horizontal
mediaproc image optimize photo-mirror-horizontal.jpg

# Mirror then add border
mediaproc image mirror landscape.jpg -m vertical
mediaproc image border landscape-mirror-vertical.jpg -w 20 -c "#000000"

# Create kaleidoscope then sharpen
mediaproc image mirror flower.jpg -m quad
mediaproc image sharpen flower-mirror-quad.jpg -a 2

Use Cases

Photography

Water Reflection Effect

# Create realistic water reflection
mediaproc image mirror sunset.jpg -m vertical -o sunset-reflection.jpg

Use for:

• Landscape photos without water
• Adding dramatic reflection
• Symmetrical compositions
• Artistic enhancements

Portrait Symmetry

# Explore facial symmetry
mediaproc image mirror portrait.jpg -m horizontal

Reveals:

• Left vs right face differences
• Perfect symmetry perspective
• Artistic portrait variations
• Unique perspectives

Graphic Design

Mandala Designs

# Create mandala from photo
mediaproc image mirror flower.jpg -m quad -o mandala-design.jpg

Perfect for:

• Spiritual/meditation imagery
• Decorative patterns
• Book covers
• Wall art

Symmetrical Logos

# Create symmetrical logo variations
mediaproc image mirror logo-half.jpg -m horizontal

Great for:

• Logo design exploration
• Brand identity variations
• Symmetrical branding
• Design iterations

Background Patterns

# Create seamless patterns
mediaproc image mirror texture.jpg -m both -o pattern.jpg

Ideal for:

• Website backgrounds
• Textile designs
• Wallpapers
• Repeating patterns

Art & Creative

Kaleidoscope Art

# Create psychedelic patterns
mediaproc image mirror abstract.jpg -m quad

Creates:

• Psychedelic effects
• Kaleidoscope patterns
• Abstract art
• Visual illusions

Rorschach Tests

# Create inkblot-style images
mediaproc image mirror ink.jpg -m horizontal

Perfect for:

• Psychological art
• Abstract compositions
• Symmetrical ink blots
• Artistic experiments

Abstract Compositions

# Create abstract symmetry
mediaproc image mirror colors.jpg -m both

Great for:

• Modern art
• Abstract designs
• Experimental photography
• Visual art projects

Architecture

Building Symmetry

# Perfect architectural symmetry
mediaproc image mirror facade.jpg -m horizontal

Enhances:

• Symmetrical buildings
• Architectural details
• Monument photography
• Urban landscapes

Interior Design

# Symmetrical interior views
mediaproc image mirror room.jpg -m vertical

Creates:

• Dramatic interior views
• Symmetrical spaces
• Artistic renderings
• Design presentations

Dimension Changes

Horizontal Mode

Vertical Mode

Both Mode

Quad Mode

Output Naming

Default naming pattern: \{basename\}-mirror-\{mode\}.\{ext\}

# Examples
photo.jpg → photo-mirror-horizontal.jpg
image.png → image-mirror-vertical.png
art.jpg → art-mirror-both.jpg
face.jpg → face-mirror-quad.jpg

Custom output:

mediaproc image mirror photo.jpg -m quad -o kaleidoscope.jpg

Performance

Processing time depends on image size and mode:

Typical processing times (1920×1080 image):

• Horizontal: ~50-100ms
• Vertical: ~50-100ms
• Both: ~100-200ms
• Quad: ~100-200ms

Technical Implementation

Horizontal Mode

1. Load original image
2. Create horizontally flipped version (flop)
3. Composite side-by-side: [original][flipped]
4. Output width doubles

Vertical Mode

1. Load original image
2. Create vertically flipped version (flip)
3. Composite top-to-bottom: [original] over [flipped]
4. Output height doubles

Both Mode

1. Load original image
2. Create flop (horizontal flip)
3. Create flip (vertical flip)
4. Create both (flop + flip)
5. Composite in 2×2 grid: [original][flop] [flip] [both]
6. Output dimensions double

Quad Mode

1. Load original image
2. Extract center region (half width × half height)
3. Create flop, flip, and both versions
4. Composite in 2×2 grid of center region
5. Creates kaleidoscope effect

Batch Processing

Mirror Directory

# Horizontal mirror all images
for img in photos/*.jpg; do
  mediaproc image mirror "$img" -m horizontal
done

Multiple Modes

# Create all mirror variations
for mode in horizontal vertical both quad; do
  mediaproc image mirror photo.jpg -m $mode
done

Parallel Processing

# Use GNU parallel for speed
parallel mediaproc image mirror {} -m horizontal ::: photos/*.jpg

Script Example

#!/bin/bash
# Mirror script with progress

images=(photos/*.jpg)
total=${#images[@]}

for i in "${!images[@]}"; do
  echo "Processing $((i+1))/$total: ${images[i]}"
  mediaproc image mirror "${images[i]}" -m quad -v
done

echo "Complete! Processed $total images"

Tips & Best Practices

Mode Selection

• Horizontal: Use for face/portrait symmetry
• Vertical: Perfect for water reflections
• Both: Creates strong geometric patterns
• Quad: Best for kaleidoscope/mandala effects

Subject Matter

• Portraits work best with horizontal
• Landscapes ideal for vertical (water effect)
• Textures and patterns excel with both/quad
• Abstract imagery perfect for quad mode

Composition

• Center-weighted images work best
• Symmetrical subjects create strongest effects
• High-contrast images create dramatic results
• Detailed images create complex kaleidoscopes

File Size

• Horizontal/Vertical: Output file ~2× larger
• Both mode: Output file ~4× larger
• Quad mode: Output file usually smaller
• Consider optimizing after mirroring

Creative Tips

• Experiment with all modes on same image
• Combine with color adjustments for variety
• Try different subjects (faces, nature, abstract)
• Use quad mode on flower/mandala subjects
• Apply blur before mirror for softer effects

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Water Reflection

# Create realistic lake reflection
mediaproc image mirror mountain.jpg -m vertical -o reflection.jpg

# Optional: blend with gradient for realism
mediaproc image composite reflection.jpg gradient.png -o final.jpg

Scenario 2: Face Symmetry Analysis

# Create both sides symmetrical
mediaproc image mirror portrait.jpg -m horizontal -o left-symmetric.jpg

# Flip original and mirror again for right side
mediaproc image flop portrait.jpg -o portrait-flipped.jpg
mediaproc image mirror portrait-flipped.jpg -m horizontal -o right-symmetric.jpg

Scenario 3: Mandala Art

# Create mandala from flower photo
mediaproc image mirror flower.jpg -m quad -o mandala.jpg

# Enhance with saturation
mediaproc image modulate mandala.jpg -s 1.5 -o mandala-vibrant.jpg

# Add border
mediaproc image border mandala-vibrant.jpg -w 30 -c "#ffffff"

Scenario 4: Pattern Creation

# Create tileable pattern
mediaproc image mirror texture.jpg -m both -o pattern.jpg

# Resize for web
mediaproc image resize pattern.jpg -w 512 -h 512

Troubleshooting

Output Too Large

Issue: File size too large after mirroring

Solution:

# Mirror then optimize
mediaproc image mirror photo.jpg -m both
mediaproc image optimize photo-mirror-both.jpg -q 85

Quad Mode Crops Too Much

Issue: Quad mode removes important content

Cause: Extracts center region only

Solution: Use both mode instead:

mediaproc image mirror photo.jpg -m both

Seams Visible

Issue: Visible seams in mirrored output

Cause: Edge artifacts or misalignment

Solution: Ensure clean edges before mirroring:

# Trim edges first
mediaproc image trim photo.jpg
mediaproc image mirror photo-trimmed.jpg -m horizontal

Memory Issues

Issue: Process fails with large images

Solution: Resize before mirroring:

# Resize first
mediaproc image resize large.jpg -w 2000
mediaproc image mirror large-resized.jpg -m both

Related Commands

• flip - Flip image vertically
• flop - Flip image horizontally
• rotate - Rotate image
• composite - Combine multiple images
• border - Add borders to images

See Also

• Flip - Vertical flip
• Flop - Horizontal flip
• Rotate - Rotation
• Composite - Image compositing
• Effects Guide - Creative effects guide