Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Elsewhere it became clear to me that (for example) Billy doesn't care much for "selfies," and especially "selfie sticks." I think maybe is well worth considering our selfie-obsessed-society. Selfies aren't at all new. Painters have done them since, like, forever. Cave paintings probably had selfies. When I was a callow (waaaaay callow) youth I had a camera with a self timer so waddya think I did? And they were terrible. I can still (shudddder) see them. I was 17 and wanted to look serious and military, and those pictures were developed and printed by the camera store guy so ya wonder what HE thought. I've wondered all my life if we are all idiots at 17, but the point is I took selfies. My avatar is a (duh) selfie. (Come to think of it I still look like an idiot. :mrgreen: :shock: ) I just did a quick search and it appears the subject hasn't been seriously discussed, so what the hey, I'll open a thread! :mrgreen:

I think I understand why tourists take selfies: for the exact same reason we would ask a perfect stranger to "take our picture." The perfect stranger was as likely as not to crop off your heads or whatever photographic horror but you smiled and thanked him and wished you could do it yourself. The stick lets you get a better perspective, include more people and/or background, and gives you control; if you mess it up it's on you. :P

Please post your own examples, your own selfies or pictures of others making selfies or whatever!

We were atop Mount Spokane (WA). I wanted the antennas in the background. There were few people around, I'm shy, and no one would have understood what I wanted, so I did it myself. A SELFIE STICK WOULD HAVE HELPED! Better perspective, less proboscis...

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

A few years ago Nightski started a fun series:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-122686-1.html

Here's my selfie from that thread.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Due to my 'apparent' over use of a selfie stick I was forced to make a PSA...
- The Dangers of Selfie Sticks PSA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fmQs37YqXg

and for the rest:
- How to Take The Perfect Selfie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbqIQcKNE7E (good tips)
- 13 Selfiest Selfie Poses http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjwVNmPaDys (she's funny)

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Hya Chuck not one to be judgmental or make sweeping statements have you not noticed that people who carry and use these wretched sticks all fall into the category of the last people on earth one would wish to meet?
One can imagine them wearing a lot of corduroy traveling miles to fill up their Toyota Corolla with cut price gas with a Vote for Trump sticker on the fender. They consider Billy Joel to be cool and always eat healthy food that tastes like boiled cardboard.
The above has been carefully and tastefully edited to show the utmost respect to those people who choose to exercise their right to walk around with a phone strapped to the end of a pole.
And no I cannot understand tourists taking selfies. Is my desperately follicly challenged head with a rather large nose going to make the Taj Mahal behind me look better? You want to remember the trip? Eat the street food and you will never forget the place!

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Probably just as well I missed that then! My entry for the fun shot might just have offended those of a gentle disposition. Well I sure hope it would have done lol.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Just glad you feel at ease and comfortable enough to "come out". It could not have been easy so I tip my hat to you fella.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Although all selfies are self-portraits, not all self-portraits are selfies. The selfie is a specific category of self-portrait.

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

You didn't go far enough...

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Please expand, compare, and contrast... :lol:

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

My camera, even though a compact, is far too heavy for a stick. Hand-holding it results in it being too close, plus (honestly) I hate looking like a ridiculous tourist, but I hate more asking someone else who won't do it right anyway. I take bazillions of pictures of wherever we go, and once in a blue moon I can convince my bride to get into one, but mostly we can't get a picture of us at the (insert tourist destinations of choice) even if we would like to. I do not agree that, "...people who carry and use these wretched sticks all fall into the category of the last people on earth one would wish to meet." Some, sure, but never all. :D

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

They are ALL funny! :lol: :thumbup:

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

:thumbup: :thumbup:

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

It's good to find humor in everyday things! S-

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

There's a right way and a wrong way to do selfies...

This is NOT the right way

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

:thumbup: