---

name: openai-vision description: Analyze images and multi-frame sequences using OpenAI GPT vision models

OpenAI Vision Analysis Skill

Purpose

This skill enables image analysis, scene understanding, text extraction, and multi-frame comparison using OpenAI's vision-capable GPT models (e.g., gpt-4o, gpt-4o-mini). It supports single images, multiple images for comparison, and sequential frames for temporal analysis.

When to Use

• Analyzing image content (objects, scenes, colors, spatial relationships)
• Extracting and reading text from images (OCR via vision models)
• Comparing multiple images to detect differences or changes
• Processing video frames to understand temporal progression
• Generating detailed image descriptions or captions
• Answering questions about visual content

Required Libraries

The following Python libraries are required:

from openai import OpenAI
import base64
import json
import os
from pathlib import Path

Input Requirements

• File formats: JPG, JPEG, PNG, WEBP, non-animated GIF
• Image sources: URL, Base64-encoded data, or local file paths
• Size limits: Up to 20MB per image; total request payload under 50MB
• Maximum images: Up to 500 images per request
• Image quality: Clear, legible content; avoid watermarks or heavy distortions

Output Schema

Analysis results should be returned as valid JSON conforming to this schema:

{
  "success": true,
  "images_analyzed": 1,
  "analysis": {
    "description": "A detailed scene description...",
    "objects": [
      {"name": "car", "color": "red", "position": "foreground center"},
      {"name": "tree", "count": 3, "position": "background"}
    ],
    "text_content": "Any text visible in the image...",
    "colors": ["blue", "green", "white"],
    "scene_type": "outdoor/urban"
  },
  "comparison": {
    "differences": ["Object X appeared", "Color changed from A to B"],
    "similarities": ["Background unchanged", "Layout consistent"]
  },
  "metadata": {
    "model_used": "gpt-4o",
    "detail_level": "high",
    "token_usage": {"prompt": 1500, "completion": 200}
  },
  "warnings": []
}

Field Descriptions

• success: Boolean indicating whether analysis completed
• images_analyzed: Number of images processed in the request
• analysis.description: Natural language description of the image content
• analysis.objects: Array of detected objects with attributes
• analysis.text_content: Any text extracted from the image
• analysis.colors: Dominant colors identified
• analysis.scene_type: Classification of the scene
• comparison: Present when multiple images are analyzed; describes differences and similarities
• metadata.model_used: The GPT model used for analysis
• metadata.detail_level: Resolution level used (low, high, or auto)
• metadata.token_usage: Token consumption for cost tracking
• warnings: Array of any issues or limitations encountered

Code Examples

Basic Image Analysis from URL

from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI()

def analyze_image_url(image_url, prompt="Describe this image in detail."):
    """Analyze an image from a URL using GPT-4o vision."""
    response = client.chat.completions.create(
        model="gpt-4o",
        messages=[
            {
                "role": "user",
                "content": [
                    {"type": "text", "text": prompt},
                    {
                        "type": "image_url",
                        "image_url": {
                            "url": image_url,
                            "detail": "high"
                        }
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        max_tokens=1000
    )
    return response.choices[0].message.content

Image Analysis from Local File (Base64)

from openai import OpenAI
import base64

client = OpenAI()

def encode_image_to_base64(image_path):
    """Encode a local image file to base64."""
    with open(image_path, "rb") as image_file:
        return base64.standard_b64encode(image_file.read()).decode("utf-8")

def get_image_media_type(image_path):
    """Determine the media type based on file extension."""
    ext = image_path.lower().split('.')[-1]
    media_types = {
        'jpg': 'image/jpeg',
        'jpeg': 'image/jpeg',
        'png': 'image/png',
        'gif': 'image/gif',
        'webp': 'image/webp'
    }
    return media_types.get(ext, 'image/jpeg')

def analyze_local_image(image_path, prompt="Describe this image in detail."):
    """Analyze a local image file using GPT-4o vision."""
    base64_image = encode_image_to_base64(image_path)
    media_type = get_image_media_type(image_path)
    
    response = client.chat.completions.create(
        model="gpt-4o",
        messages=[
            {
                "role": "user",
                "content": [
                    {"type": "text", "text": prompt},
                    {
                        "type": "image_url",
                        "image_url": {
                            "url": f"data:{media_type};base64,{base64_image}",
                            "detail": "high"
                        }
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        max_tokens=1000
    )
    return response.choices[0].message.content

Multi-Image Comparison

from openai import OpenAI
import base64

client = OpenAI()

def compare_images(image_paths, comparison_prompt=None):
    """Compare multiple images and identify differences."""
    if comparison_prompt is None:
        comparison_prompt = (
            "Compare these images carefully. "
            "List all differences and similarities you observe. "
            "Describe any changes in objects, colors, positions, or text."
        )
    
    content = [{"type": "text", "text": comparison_prompt}]
    
    for i, image_path in enumerate(image_paths):
        base64_image = encode_image_to_base64(image_path)
        media_type = get_image_media_type(image_path)
        
        # Add label for each image
        content.append({
            "type": "text", 
            "text": f"Image {i + 1}:"
        })
        content.append({
            "type": "image_url",
            "image_url": {
                "url": f"data:{media_type};base64,{base64_image}",
                "detail": "high"
            }
        })
    
    response = client.chat.completions.create(
        model="gpt-4o",
        messages=[{"role": "user", "content": content}],
        max_tokens=2000
    )
    return response.choices[0].message.content

Multi-Frame Video Analysis

from openai import OpenAI
import base64
from pathlib import Path

client = OpenAI()

def analyze_video_frames(frame_paths, analysis_prompt=None):
    """Analyze a sequence of video frames for temporal understanding."""
    if analysis_prompt is None:
        analysis_prompt = (
            "These are sequential frames from a video. "
            "Describe what is happening over time. "
            "Identify any motion, changes, or events that occur across the frames."
        )
    
    content = [{"type": "text", "text": analysis_prompt}]
    
    for i, frame_path in enumerate(frame_paths):
        base64_image = encode_image_to_base64(frame_path)
        media_type = get_image_media_type(frame_path)
        
        content.append({
            "type": "text",
            "text": f"Frame {i + 1}:"
        })
        content.append({
            "type": "image_url",
            "image_url": {
                "url": f"data:{media_type};base64,{base64_image}",
                "detail": "auto"  # Use auto for frames to balance cost
            }
        })
    
    response = client.chat.completions.create(
        model="gpt-4o",
        messages=[{"role": "user", "content": content}],
        max_tokens=2000
    )
    return response.choices[0].message.content

Full Analysis with JSON Output

from openai import OpenAI
import base64
import json
import os

client = OpenAI()

def analyze_image_to_json(image_path, extract_text=True):
    """Perform comprehensive image analysis and return structured JSON."""
    filename = os.path.basename(image_path)
    
    prompt = """Analyze this image and return a JSON object with the following structure:
{
    "description": "detailed scene description",
    "objects": [{"name": "object name", "attributes": "color, size, position"}],
    "text_content": "any visible text or null if none",
    "colors": ["dominant", "colors"],
    "scene_type": "indoor/outdoor/abstract/etc",
    "people_count": 0,
    "notable_features": ["list of notable visual elements"]
}

Return ONLY valid JSON, no other text."""

    try:
        base64_image = encode_image_to_base64(image_path)
        media_type = get_image_media_type(image_path)
        
        response = client.chat.completions.create(
            model="gpt-4o",
            messages=[
                {
                    "role": "user",
                    "content": [
                        {"type": "text", "text": prompt},
                        {
                            "type": "image_url",
                            "image_url": {
                                "url": f"data:{media_type};base64,{base64_image}",
                                "detail": "high"
                            }
                        }
                    ]
                }
            ],
            max_tokens=1500
        )
        
        # Parse the response as JSON
        analysis_text = response.choices[0].message.content
        # Remove markdown code blocks if present
        if analysis_text.startswith("```"):
            analysis_text = analysis_text.split("```")[1]
            if analysis_text.startswith("json"):
                analysis_text = analysis_text[4:]
        analysis = json.loads(analysis_text.strip())
        
        result = {
            "success": True,
            "filename": filename,
            "analysis": analysis,
            "metadata": {
                "model_used": "gpt-4o",
                "detail_level": "high",
                "token_usage": {
                    "prompt": response.usage.prompt_tokens,
                    "completion": response.usage.completion_tokens
                }
            },
            "warnings": []
        }
        
    except json.JSONDecodeError as e:
        result = {
            "success": False,
            "filename": filename,
            "analysis": {"raw_response": response.choices[0].message.content},
            "metadata": {"model_used": "gpt-4o"},
            "warnings": [f"Failed to parse JSON: {str(e)}"]
        }
    except Exception as e:
        result = {
            "success": False,
            "filename": filename,
            "analysis": {},
            "metadata": {},
            "warnings": [f"Analysis failed: {str(e)}"]
        }
    
    return result

# Usage
result = analyze_image_to_json("photo.jpg")
print(json.dumps(result, indent=2))

Batch Processing Directory

from openai import OpenAI
import base64
import json
from pathlib import Path

client = OpenAI()

def process_image_directory(directory_path, output_file, prompt=None):
    """Process all images in a directory and save results."""
    if prompt is None:
        prompt = "Describe this image briefly, including any visible text."
    
    image_extensions = {'.jpg', '.jpeg', '.png', '.webp', '.gif'}
    results = []
    
    for file_path in sorted(Path(directory_path).iterdir()):
        if file_path.suffix.lower() in image_extensions:
            print(f"Processing: {file_path.name}")
            
            try:
                analysis = analyze_local_image(str(file_path), prompt)
                results.append({
                    "filename": file_path.name,
                    "success": True,
                    "analysis": analysis