Introduction
Since the smartphone was invented in 1992, there has been a massive rise in the popularity of the Selfie. Social media has encouraged people to express themselves using digital self portraits by giving them a space to share on apps such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The Selfie is particularly popular on these sites, proven by the fact that during one week in October 2013 the hastag #selfie was used in more than 150,000 Tweets.
So what exactly is this global phenomenon all about?
The dictionary definition of a selfie is: a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media. However, I do not believe that this technical definition sums up the real meaning behind the Selfie. In my opinion, the Selfie has opened up a whole new world of photography, encouraging people to take photos of moments that have never before been captured. For example, mid-drop on a roller-coaster, scuba-diving with friends, or leaning backwards over a cliff. Whereas traditional photography captured beautiful views or groups of assembled family or friends, the Selfie is all about capturing a fleeting moment, an emotion: such as an exhilarating or humorous moment. Whereas traditional photography went into albums, the Selfie is always thinking of its audience - how many likes it will get on Instagram, what effect it will create on those that see it.
Personally , I am not in the habit of taking selfies. However I am looking forward to finding innovative ways of capturing myself that still allow me to hide behind the camera. Purposefully setting out to create a selfie project is going to be interesting because Selfies are meant to be impulsive and spontaneous.
So what exactly is this global phenomenon all about?
The dictionary definition of a selfie is: a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media. However, I do not believe that this technical definition sums up the real meaning behind the Selfie. In my opinion, the Selfie has opened up a whole new world of photography, encouraging people to take photos of moments that have never before been captured. For example, mid-drop on a roller-coaster, scuba-diving with friends, or leaning backwards over a cliff. Whereas traditional photography captured beautiful views or groups of assembled family or friends, the Selfie is all about capturing a fleeting moment, an emotion: such as an exhilarating or humorous moment. Whereas traditional photography went into albums, the Selfie is always thinking of its audience - how many likes it will get on Instagram, what effect it will create on those that see it.
Personally , I am not in the habit of taking selfies. However I am looking forward to finding innovative ways of capturing myself that still allow me to hide behind the camera. Purposefully setting out to create a selfie project is going to be interesting because Selfies are meant to be impulsive and spontaneous.
What is the difference between a selfie and a self portrait?
Self-portraits and Selfies overlap in some ways: they are both visual representations of the person's face. Although they share this main similarity, they are separated by some key differences. In my opinion, selfies are not planned, they are spur of the moment records of a fleeting moment. In contrast, self-portraits are much more premeditated. Furthermore, in some people's view, selfies are more throw-away and shallow, whereas self-portraits are regarded as being a piece of art and therefore are more respected.
VIVIAN MAIER
Vivian Maier lived from 1926 -2009 and was born in New York city. She worked as a nanny in Chicago for 40 years but had a passion for street photography and took around 150,000 photos during her lifetime. Although Vivian Maier documented so much of the life around her, she kept her work a secret and was an extremely private person.
Personal accounts from those that knew Vivian Maier tells us that she was eccentric, heavily opinionated, highly intellectual and intensely private. As a nanny, it is reported that she had a darker side to her character, sometimes force-feeding the children.
Vivian Maier was a street photographer. Most of her work shows that she went unnoticed by others and that her subjects didn't realize they were being shot. She simply photographed people and places that she found interesting as she walked by. She also enjoyed taking self-portraits and experimenting with light, shadows, mirrors and water. She shot photos purely for her own pleasure and satisfaction and didn't care about admiration from others.
Her photographs were discovered by some Chicago-based collectors, and then became published on the internet. Although thousands of people expressed interest in her pictures, some argued that it was immoral to expose the work of somebody that had deliberately chosen to live such a private life.
Personal accounts from those that knew Vivian Maier tells us that she was eccentric, heavily opinionated, highly intellectual and intensely private. As a nanny, it is reported that she had a darker side to her character, sometimes force-feeding the children.
Vivian Maier was a street photographer. Most of her work shows that she went unnoticed by others and that her subjects didn't realize they were being shot. She simply photographed people and places that she found interesting as she walked by. She also enjoyed taking self-portraits and experimenting with light, shadows, mirrors and water. She shot photos purely for her own pleasure and satisfaction and didn't care about admiration from others.
Her photographs were discovered by some Chicago-based collectors, and then became published on the internet. Although thousands of people expressed interest in her pictures, some argued that it was immoral to expose the work of somebody that had deliberately chosen to live such a private life.
REFLECTIONS ON VIVIAN MAIER: AN EXHIBITION OF HER SELFIES
The Reflected SelfieThe Shadow SelfieEvaluation of my Shadow Selfies |
Explore some of Vivian Maier's most striking self-portraits. This exhibition invites you to consider a selection of black and white selfies of the artist herself arranged around a large mirror. As you look at the photos, you will find your own reflected image in amongst those of Vivian Maier.
Evaluation of my Reflection SelfiesI have really enjoyed finding lots of different ways to capture my reflection. I don't often take selfies but I have enjoyed the challenge of finding different ways capture myself whilst keeping my face distorted or hidden. The selfie that I think was most successful was the one where I am jumping over a mirror. The reason I like this one is because I have managed to capture myself from an unusual angle - it looks like I'm about to dive into a pool!
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The Shadow Selfie has been my favorite type of selfie to create mainly because I didn't even need to think about hiding or distorting my face as shadows are just silhouettes. Also, lately it has been very sunny so there have been plenty of really good opportunities to capture my shadow.
The Shadow Selfie that I think works best is the one where I am taking a photo through the window. I like this one because it's a hybrid between two different selfie styles: it's a shadow but you can also see my reflection. Another selfie that i think is quite cool is the one where the evening sun has created an extra-long shadow.
The Shadow Selfie that I think works best is the one where I am taking a photo through the window. I like this one because it's a hybrid between two different selfie styles: it's a shadow but you can also see my reflection. Another selfie that i think is quite cool is the one where the evening sun has created an extra-long shadow.
Below are some other shadow selfies that I found online. I particularly like the one with the dog as the silhouette of the dog's shape is interesting. Also, the one with a small child is good because the child's playfulness is clear to see, even just in the shadow, from the angle at which they are leaning. The one in the top right is cool because someone has taken a selfie photo of somebody else taking a selfie - so it's like a photo inside a photo.
Omar Victor Diop and the art historical selfie
Who was Frederick Douglass?
Frederick Bailey was born in Talbot County, Maryland in 1818. At the age of 7, his mother died and he was taken into slavery and sent to work on Wye House plantation, Maryland. During his time in slavery, he taught himself to read and write and helped other slaves to do so by using the Bible. The word spread about his ability to educate fellow slaves and Fredrick was transferred to a different workplace, and taken in by farmer who was known for his brutal punishment. Throughout his time working for the farmer, Frederick was whipped regularly. After many different escape attempts Frederick left the farm and travelled away by train. Frederick Douglass used photographs of himself to fight back against the racial prejudices that existed in the United States. Every photograph that he had taken of himself became an opportunity to show America an image of a black person that went against the accepted stereotype racist image that most people had.
This photograph is a daguerreotype - it was printed on a silvered copper plate instead of photographic paper.
My impression of this photograph is that Frederick Douglass is looking very directly into the camera. He is looking quite sternly at the camera; maybe he's trying to show his anger about slavery or the suffering he has had to endure.
Frederick Bailey was born in Talbot County, Maryland in 1818. At the age of 7, his mother died and he was taken into slavery and sent to work on Wye House plantation, Maryland. During his time in slavery, he taught himself to read and write and helped other slaves to do so by using the Bible. The word spread about his ability to educate fellow slaves and Fredrick was transferred to a different workplace, and taken in by farmer who was known for his brutal punishment. Throughout his time working for the farmer, Frederick was whipped regularly. After many different escape attempts Frederick left the farm and travelled away by train. Frederick Douglass used photographs of himself to fight back against the racial prejudices that existed in the United States. Every photograph that he had taken of himself became an opportunity to show America an image of a black person that went against the accepted stereotype racist image that most people had.
This photograph is a daguerreotype - it was printed on a silvered copper plate instead of photographic paper.
My impression of this photograph is that Frederick Douglass is looking very directly into the camera. He is looking quite sternly at the camera; maybe he's trying to show his anger about slavery or the suffering he has had to endure.
Samuel J Miller - Frederick Douglass, 1847-52
Who was Omar Victor Diop?
Omar Victor Diop is a self-taught, contemporary Senegalese photographer whose work is in demand around the world. He lives and works in Dakar. He makes portraits of himself dressed as important figures from African history. Diop uses his self-portraits as as way to combat stereotypical images of African people. Omar Victor Diop wanted to showcase the importance of these prominent individuals and their African history, and change the way that Africa is normally shown. The media normally associates Africa with tribal warfare, famine, death, and disease and Omar Victor Diop wanted to show a fresh perspective. Omar Victor Diop's self portraits are all shown as historically accurate but strangely all the characters are holding or wearing modern objects relating to soccer/ football, like balls, whistles, shin guards, gloves, and a red penalty card. Maybe this is because sport is so important in Africa now and he wanted to mix history with current life. |
This pair of photos is an example of how Omar Victor Diop recreates a portrait of a historical African figure. The original portrait is of Josep Tapiró Baró, who was a Catalan painter from Morocco. In both portraits, the men are completely wrapped in shrouds with only their faces visible. What I notice about both men is the shared facial expression; neither is looking directly at the camera. Instead they are both looking slightly to the right hand side. Neither man is smiling; they look to me like they are in a state of deep thought or concentration. Although Omar Victor Diop is wearing the traditional African clothing, he has given the portrait a very modern feel to it: the colours are so bright, sharp and vibrant whereas in the original portrait, they are dull and gloomy. Furthermore in Omar Victor Diop's version, he is holding a pristine football. It's weird because he's not trying to look like a footballer and the football is so clean that it seems more like a trophy or a fashion accessory than a piece of sports equipment.