A few weeks ago, I heard a 10 year old recite a few strange lines and promptly asked the source-the Selfie song. I must admit I live under a rock in some ways, and pop culture comes to my consciousness in interesting ways. I finally looked up and heard the Selfie song for the first time today. Perhaps I’m of a different generation, selfies are not my thing. I did notice last year my new iphone camera could reverse easily for a selfie. I tried a few times and could not create an image with the frame I wanted, so I abandoned taking self portraits with my phone.
The question of the meaning behind a selfie has always been in my mind. What is the message behind this image? (which is a question that can be applied to any art we experience). Is there a sense of validation when an image (especially of ourselves) is taken, shared and seen by others? Self-portraits are a longstanding form of art, and selfies can be an instantly gratifying self-portrait.
I love art and photography. As much I love capturing a frame of an amazing moment in life as a photo, I notice that if I spend too much time taking photos, I take away from enjoying the moment I am trying to capture. The vast majority of the photographs found here on this website are taken by myself or friends with some care and the intent of Making Life Good. Somehow, a selfie even to inspire people to exercise, eat or live well has not crossed my creative threshold, as I seem to prefer creating an image within a larger frame. Prior to ‘let me take a selfie’, I invite the questions: what am I trying to say? what is the frame of reference?
