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The iPhone 4 and the growing art of self-photography

by Mike Schramm Jul 3rd 2010 at 1:30PM

This little piece over on the New York Times Fashion and Style page is only tangentially related to our subject at hand, which is that the onset of the iPhone 4 and its front-facing camera has put a spotlight on the growing art of self-photography and the casually narcissistic tendencies that drive it. I still found it very interesting, both as a series of tips on how to make some fascinating self-photographs, as well as a little meditation on what it means to learn that cameras are slowly turning around on their owners. When cameras were first created, the photographer was almost removed from the equation -- viewers of photographs were given direct views of subjects.

As time has gone on, the photographer has become more instrumental and important in the camera's life. At this point, in 2010, most of the pictures taken today are taken specifically to be shared on Facebook or Flickr -- here's me at the club, here's my new shirt, here's my and my girlfriend, and so on. Instead of looking through the photographer's eyes at the world, the iPhone 4's camera looks through the photographer's eyes ... back at the photographer.

Maybe that's too serious for the Fourth of July weekend (and if nothing else, the NYT piece offers a great bit of advice for being on camera anywhere: "smile"). But it is interesting that, as front-facing cameras become more popular (and even technology like Microsoft's Kinect, which is basically a camera watching you, the player), the art of photography itself is changing. Going out and "taking pictures" may eventually come to mean "taking pictures of me."

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This little piece over on the New York Times Fashion and Style page is only tangentially related to our subject at hand, which is that the...
 

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Buzz

Don't like your self-portrait?

The biggest no-no is holding the iPhone in reading position, lower than your chin where it gets a great up-the-nose perspective.

Try holding it higher than eye level right or left, and twist it a bit for a slight dutch angle view.

July 04 2010 at 4:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
RHenley

It's quite the art form in this iPhone4 video, where the iPhone meets the iPad:

http://www.destroythesilence.com/post/755081058/solace-music-video

But in this case it's clear she had someone else operate the iPhone.

July 03 2010 at 3:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mindflayer

All to be conveyed in one google search:

http://www.google.com/search?aq=f&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=narcissism+facebook

July 03 2010 at 3:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Greg

When I took photography in college, I decided to do a bit of self photography. I used an slr, developed my film myself, and used tricks like focusing on my hand, then using that hand to take the photo at arms length. I'd use glass to create reflections, making my photos look like double negatives, and first person views. Never used a mirror.

That's self photography.


This? This is cam whoring.

July 03 2010 at 3:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brian

She looks well rough in picture 7, I would give up now if I was her.

July 03 2010 at 2:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brett

"Taking pictures of me" does not equal "Photography" and is definitely not art (at least not the 'selfrs' which you're talking about).

July 03 2010 at 2:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dale

Still mastering the "pout and boob push" before unveiling my masterpieces on MySpace.

July 03 2010 at 2:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Alex

can't wait for the second wave of hot slut photos (the First being self-shots in the mirror)

July 03 2010 at 2:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nick

Well sure; ever since the advent of digital photography, we've been subject to the "camera over the head looking back down on me" shot. No more film to be wasted, no more asking strangers on the street to take our pictures; hell, I'm mildly surprised there aren't cameras solely dedicated to taking "pictures of me" (and I'm talking more about nice cameras, not VGA-resolution jobs).

Of course, we can probably track the progress through to social networking too; as less people actually go out and have experiences with people, the more people will take their picture in a mirror or of themselves to share with their cross-country pals.

July 03 2010 at 1:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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