You can see I've given it a go. That's my interpretation of a selfie that was kind of forced during the height of the pandemic (wasn't allowed to meet other people so the only person I could take a picture of was me). Until then, I've never been about the selfie. But there are a couple of photographers I admire that are all about the selfie.
Brooke Shaden being one. I was fortunate enough to meet her a couple of years ago through a mutual friend when she came to the UK to present ant the Photography Show. Her work is amazing and I urge you to check out her website
But artists aside, it occurred to me that the selfie must be the most popular (at least the most common) type of photograph taken at the moment. Everyone with a smartphone (almost!) takes selfies. They get shared on social media. It seems to me that every other image online is a selfie. They're not the most technical images. From a photographer's point of view, there's no value in the composition or the execution. They're a bit "same old, same old"
But they are most definitely not worthless. I'd argue their value is high. They're a snapshot in time that future historians will thank this generation for. Their worth right now is as a memory, and a memory shared amongst friends. It could be of a visit to a gig (went to see As December Falls last night, a great gig and loads of selfies being taken), a day out with the family or just because someone might "feel cute right now, may delete later".
Whatever the reason, keep taking the selfies. Brooke might use the selfie as an artform (and brilliantly so) but the rest of us mortals should use them to offer a record and a moment of happiness.
While we're here, I'd still like to reunite a traveller with their images. Please have a look here and share the link via the social media buttons at the bottom right of the article: Have You Lost Your Pictures?
