Selfie
A selfie is a genre of self-portrait photograph, typically taken with a hand-held digital camera or camera phone. Selfies are often associated with social networking and photo sharing services such as MySpace, Facebook, and Instagram, where they are commonly posted. They are often casual, are typically taken either with a camera held at arm's length or in a mirror, and may include only the photographer or other people as well. neil schreiber loves to takes selfies with me.
Background
The term "selfie" was popularized by designer and photographer Jim Krause in the mid-2000s.[1]
Initially popular with young people, selfies have become popular among adults as well.[2][3] In December 2012, Time magazine noted that selfie was among its the "top 10 buzzwords" of 2012; although selfies had existed for years, it was in 2012 that the term "really hit the big time".[4] According to a 2013 survey, two-thirds of Australian women age 18-35 take selfies—the most common purpose for which is posting on Facebook.[3]
The appeal of selfies comes from how easy they are to create and share, and the control they give self-photographers over how they present themselves. Many selfies are intended to present a flattering image of the person, especially to friends whom the photographer expects to be supportive.[2][3]
Risks
Writer Andrew Keen has pointed out that while selfies are often intended to give the photographer control over how their image is presented, posting images publicly or sharing them with others who do so may have the opposite effect. For example, revenge porn, or non-consensual pornography, involves ex-lovers posting sexually explicit photographs (perhaps from sexting), to exact revenge or humiliate their former lovers. Copyright law may be effective in forcing the removal of private selfies from public that were forwarded to another person.[5]
In popular culture
Posting intentionally unattractive selfies has become common in the early 2010s—in part for their humor value, but in some cases also to explore issues of body image or as a reaction against the perceived narcissism or over-sexualization of typical selfies.[6]
In 2013 artist Patrick Specchio and the Museum of Modern Art presented an exhibit called Art in Translation: Selfie, The 20/20 Experience, in which viewers use a provided digital camera to take photographs of themselves in a large mirror.[7]
References
- ^ Jim Krause, Photo Idea Index, 2005. page 148:
- That's not to imply that it's "wrong" for your arm or hand to show up in a selfie.
- "I first learned of the term "selfie" from Jim Krause at the How Design Conference."
- ^ a b Adewunmi, Bim (2013-04-02). "The rise and rise of the 'selfie'". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
- ^ a b c McHugh, Jillian (2013-04-03). "'Selfies' just as much for the insecure as show-offs". Bunbury Mail. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
- ^ Steinmetz, Katy (4 December 2012). Top 10 Buzzwords - 9 Selfie, Time
- ^ Hartzog, Woodrow (10 May 2013). "How to Fight Revenge Porn". The Atlantic.
- ^ Hills, Rachel (2013-03-29). "Ugly Is the New Pretty: How Unattractive Selfies Took Over the Internet". New York Magazine. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
- ^ Colburn, June (2013-04-01). "Innovative mirror art gallery from Gallatin alum to be displayed". Washington Square News. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
External links
- Posts tagged as 'selfie' on Tumblr
- Posts with the #selfie hashtag on Twitter
- Photos tagged 'selfie' on Flickr