The word "selfie" is now officially part of the English dictionary.
Would you turn your back on the Queen of England if she was walking towards you? Five years ago, the answer would likely be no. In this photo by Peter Macdiarmid, we see firsthand how technology is transforming the way we capture the world around us.
Our first instinct is no longer just to photograph the subject, but to include ourselves in the frame as well. Is this changing the way we record history, or merely a method of self-promotion?
With rampant image manipulation forcing us to question the authenticity of every photo, the selfie may be the ultimate proof that we were actually there.
Ironically though, the optical quality of the front facing camera is inferior to even the most basic point and shoot model. Yet, as of this moment, it’s the lens we often find ourselves in front of, rather than behind, that’s making the biggest splash.
Use your instincts when deciding when would be an appropriate time for a selfie, or when staying behind the lens will get you the best shot. Don’t let societal trends dictate the quality of your photography.
Want more? The New York Institute of Photography was recently recognized as a top digital photography school in 2014 by the Best Colleges Online Organization. Let us help you become a better photographer today.
