Chances are you’ve done it at some point or another. Ellen did it at the Oscars and it was the selfie seen round the world, the President did it at Nelson Mandela’s funeral and got dagger stares from misses Obama, the American Psychological Association recently classified it’s compulsion as a psychological disorder, but who cares, cos it’s fun! People have been taking selfies since ancient times, I mean look at all the images of Pharaohs & Kings.
Capturing your visage has always been the ultimate status symbol but it also has a seedy dark side. Narcissus tragically never learned this lesson, but his tale is an important fable. When cameras became commonplace the selfie was truly born. As with anything, those with the means to purchase & develop large amounts of film had a chance to perfect the art of the selfie before the rest of us did just that. Now that cameras are film less, giving everyone an opportunity to glimpse the photo quickly, followed by the most recent incarnation involving front facing camera enabled devices, we now primp & preen before ever taking our perfect selfie.
Everyone can get into the action because we can all see the image as it’s captured, that’s what makes today’s modern selfie so unique and addicting. Some cultures believe taking a photograph steals the soul, while others have never seen themselves in a photograph, ever. We rationalise the compulsion of the selfie because it’s capturing the moment (in all it’s fantasticness), while providing instant scrutiny of the capture. If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.
Taking the ultimate picture is fun and all, but with every selfie I take, I am reminded about a tale told to me by a friend visiting Peru. While there she met a little old woman who’s children had grown up, moved to the city, and was left with the youngest grandchild to continue the old ways. While talking with her, she shared with my friend her most prized possession. It wasn’t money, It was an old Polaroid of her as a younger woman. Many travelers had come through her village and she had taken many photos with them, but one particular set of backpackers had a Polaroid camera and gifted her with her photograph of herself. In a world absent from monetary wealth, the ability to capture an instant with such clarity is precious.
Many of us have lamented the fact not enough pictures were taken of ourselves, or some of us spend more time behind the camera than in front of it. Whatever the reason for lack of self images, I’m thankful for the ability to capture every moment. Take pictures of your friends, family, landscapes & moments, just always remember, include yourself, in other words, take a selfie.
