Emma Kollmar - Selfie article

I agree that selfie-takers can take a picture of themselves that is more “them” than when someone

else takes the photo. When taking a selfie, you can control how the photo looks. You are able to

adjust the angle, the lighting, and change how you look before the picture is taken. When taking

a selfie, you usually know exactly how it is going to turn out before you take it, but when someone

else makes a photo of you, you don’t know how it will look. You have full control over the

picture when you take a selfie.

I don’t think that selfies allowing for subordinate groups to have their voices heard, challenges the typical

use of photography for dominant ideals. Men shouldn’t be considered not “real men” for taking a selfie

just because “Others” also take selfies and use them to represent themselves. “Others” using photography

as a way to show their differences and express themselves should not affect the majority doing the same

thing. The majorities sense of dominance or masculinity shouldn’t be hurt by other people taking pictures.

Most selfies being taken by teenage girls does not mean men who take selfies aren’t “real men.”

I don’t understand why people think selfies are so bad that they want to “cure” it by  destroying all

images. I also don’t understand why there is so much fear behind the power a selfie holds. Fortune’s

article describing selfies as living species and comparing them to a living virus is very dramatic.

This article states “Many people are afraid of images, and it is not because of the material—fear is

based around the statement that the material makes.” In my opinion, there’s nothing to fear about the

statement a selfie makes. I understand certain people not liking the idea of “Others” showing

confidence in themselves and expressing themselves when sharing a selfie, but I don’t think it makes

a statement to fear. When I send selfies I’m not trying to make a statement.

I agree that photography has shifted and now is often times used to challenge societal norms. People use photos for political reasons and to try to make a change for the better.  I think that is a really important part of photography. I can see why people might be afraid of those photos because it challenges their ideas and beliefs and they don’t want a message they don’t agree with getting spread around, but I still don’t see how people could be so afraid of a selfie.