The world is crazy about selfies. Photos taken with a phone camera generate a surprisingly strong reaction – We both love them and hate them. But in the Facebook feed, we will pay attention to them. And at the same time, we will announce the boom of narcissism and the moral decline of the digital generation. Let's try to understand the reasons for our reactions – so bright and controversial.
Selfie - a small portrait of the aspect of self-identification
The very name “selfie”, having several meanings, influences the formation of our attitude towards these photos. The diminutive ending indicates some familiarity. From a semantic point of view, “selfie” – it is a small "I", that is, it certainly implies an aspect of self-identification.
On the other hand, the diminutive ending may refer not to the content, but to the form: not to "I", but to the photograph. The definition of “small portrait” emphasizes the spontaneity, insignificance and simultaneity of one shot.
Selfie - an honest message of one moment
Selfie – it is documenting the present moment, expression, impression. This is a message of one moment. When doing it, we are more concerned with the context of – by what happens than by a projection of identity.
Thanks to advances in technology, our portraits have changed dramatically. Even "formal" images have become more informal - the freedom of representation has changed the standards of what is considered the best expression of the human essence.
Selfies are more than informal. They are intimate because they are a personal experience that is also social, meant specifically to be shared. This gives the selfie a level of self-conscious authenticity that transcends the most explicit photographs. Selfies are more “raw” and less perfect, and therefore as honest as possible.
Selfies - a challenge to all models and social norms
Why is it that selfies so often evoke the impression of self-indulgence or morbid dependence on the attention of a social group, which in this phenomenon is suggestive of narcissism or low self-esteem?
The main problem with the selfie – in that we do not yet understand how to perceive them using the available mental models. We know how to feel about pictures of a toddler, a trophy hunter or school portraits or a Facebook profile picture. In the case of the selfie, we don't know where to "turn it on".
Otherness and the publicity of selfies defy all the models and social norms we have. It is believed that without being a celebrity, a monarch or a head of state, people should not show off and engage in self-promotion.
The self-presentation of the selfie violates the laws of portrait photography, evoking the feeling that "something is wrong". If the person in the selfie is unknown and is taking the selfie, then according to our mental models, this should indicate immorality or bragging, attention seeking, self-focusedness, or narcissism.
But what if we assume that the selfie – Is this completely normal? The human brain processes visual images faster than textual ones. The image is more impressive than the text – this is the basic principle of perception. The rise of the selfie is probably a consequence of this. We feel more involved when we see the faces – and consequently tend to respond and comment on self-portraits. That is why we do not tell our friends on the phone that we are going to nature, but we post photos in the Christmas trees.
Selfie - a new dress for your image
Taking a selfie is easy. All you need is a smartphone and a Facebook page or Instagram app. This makes selfies suitable for searching and experimenting with identities, especially among people of an age when identity formation and gaining freedom are key developmental goals – teenagers. And also for everyone who is still interested in looking at themselves.
We all want to be able to "try on" a new look and imagine how we would feel in one part or another of "I". At fairs and beaches, people are photographed, looking out of cardboard scenery with strong men and beauties, fabulous or historical characters – we go on mini-adventures to another time and place, however briefly. They allow us to play, have fun and laugh at ourselves. Selfies are no different. They can be brief adventures, a form of psychological self-defense or relaxation within the norm.
Yes, in some cases selfie addiction develops into an unhealthy addiction. But this does not mean that the very phenomenon – negative. And although for some this phenomenon will remain alien and incomprehensible, do not forget: the main reason why you feel strange when taking pictures or looking at selfies of your friends – that you're just not used to doing it. And we asked professional photographers about how to make…
How to take the perfect selfie: a guide to action
Use a mobile phone with a front camera.
Choose your location carefully. Background and setting – the essence of the selfie that people pay attention to.
Consider lighting. To keep the features in the photo natural, the light should not fall directly on the face. Turn off the flash.
Pose. Do not tilt your head back at the time of shooting if you do not want to distort the chin and facial contours. A three-quarter angle is preferable to a frontal photo. This will give proportion to the features and smooth out the fisheye effect.
Don't take a photo too close (otherwise the distortion will be maximum), but also don't stretch your arm too far, otherwise it may look unnaturally long in the picture.
Try to look casual – naturalness is highly valued on the net.
Smile! It looks attractive, shows your friendliness and changes the mood of others. Scientifically proven: such a photo is doomed to success.
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