BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

According to dictionary.com a Selfie "is a photograph taken with a smartphone or other digital camera by a person who is also in the photograph, especially for posting on a social media website"
Group photo's fit this description but generally require someone not in the picture to take the pic. The cell phone part easily allows one to take this picture w/o jumping through hoops, or snagging an addtional person to take the pic.

Because it's a portrait or a group portrait. Generally there is enough BG to tell where your are, but I get your point. Pretty much the same reason people use a flash in a 60,000 seat auditorium. On the other hand, my lg phone has two lenses, wide and telephoto, so you can get enough background if thats your goal.

Not being aware or concerned of what others are doing may be the definition of self-absorbed and ego-centric but has little or nothing at all to do with selfies or group photos, but with the person[s] involved in the photo.

You sound a little self-absorbed yourself expecting others to jump out of your way because you don't approve of the pictures they are taking. I guess I understand your point, but I think you are exaggerating a great deal. Just think if all those smartphone users were setting up a tripod, the timer, all the settings running into the picture before the timer goes off, back to see if the picture was acceptable, or aunt betty's eyes were closed. You would really be mad then huh?

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

You misunderstand my point. Why should people taking selfies which cannot be visually linked to a particular site need to be preventing others - not just me - from specifically photographing the site ? Its not about me, its about consideration of others. If I am in the way of a photographer wanting to grab detail of something I am blocking while taking a photo of what I want, I am very aware of them typically and will get out of the way when done as quickly as possible. I would never walk in front a a photographer (using a dslr OR a smartphone) trying to capture an image.

Because a selfie taker does not care about the background as you noted, they often run to a open spot and are completely oblivious to what others are doing to get their prize. Not a global indictment of all selfie takers but an observation of the vast majority of those who happen to be where I am.

I don't expect anybody to defer to my desires and will patiently wait my turn. Even offer my compliments on their choice of composition if I particularly enjoy their setup. I make it a point at places like the canyon to not rush to the front and stand there occupying space that offers a premium vista for any longer than necessary. I make it a point to always be aware of my surroundings and respect that others may want to be where I am.

Usually, a selfie taker is interested in sending the image just taken to some social media site. After taking the shot, they will stand there and play with their recording device while they send the photo to friends/twitter/instagram - and continue to stand there waiting for responses and subsequent 'conversation'. I have sent photos taken to friends who appreciate them but NEVER from the spot where I took them. I step away from the attraction - away from the middle of a travel path and send the picture. That is often when I am able to sit back and observe the actions of the selfie takers I am referring to.

Its not the picture taken of the person themselves I object to but the tendency of the 'average' selfie taker to BE completely self absorbed and oblivious to their surroundings. If the selfie taker is mindful of those around them, I really don't care what the subject of their photo is. I personally don't see the point of showing myself in the frame in front of some beautiful scene but then I know where I am and not worried somebody may accuse me of not actually having been there ! Maybe people have photos from others and can't remember if they were there themselves ???

BebuLamar

I don't know about you. I never like selfies nor having my pictures taken but they never bother me.