The Selfie
After reading the article, I decided to actually think about why I chose this picture of myself. Then I realized how much meaning a picture could hold for someone, even myself. I chose this image even though it is technically an “ussie” because, not only do I like how I look god, but I also like remembering this moment. This was taken after I went through a very rough breakup and had to take one of my friends to my formal at the very last minute. Even though breakups are never fun, this ended up being one of the best memories because of it. This selfie documented the first time that Riley, my best friend from high school, got to come visit me at school and it was an absolute blast. This selfie captures the moment, post-breakup, when I realized that I can be so much happier in other company and best friends truly are forever.
In emulating my photographer, Carrie Mae Weems, it was difficult capturing every aspect of her images. I tried to mimic the fact that she is always sitting at a table with a new task in front of her. I felt that this was the largest component in her images and was necessary to be captured. It was hard for me to turn it black and white with my limited laptop features, although that could have made the image more successful overall. Additionally, I felt that it was important to incorporate her disinterested expression in the recreation. Overall, it was difficult to recreate another artist’s image to the same effect as the original image.
I believe the selfie is a key tool in contemporary culture, just as the self-portrait always has been. To me it seems that the selfie has a more intentional and possibly more powerful message in it than the average selfie. However, the selfie is necessary for today’s movement in self-esteem and has very important messages underlying. These intentions may not be as direct as those of a self-portrait but they are just as meaningful. Selfies combat the false notion that we should not feel comfortable in our own skin. With selfies, there is risk of backlash against showing skin or wearing “too much makeup” but this is not as prevalent of a response to self-portraits. The two are very similar with key differences that can be dissected over and over again but it comes back to one huge similarity: each is trying to send a message. It is our job as viewers to be there to see and listen with our eyes.














