How do people take and edit their selfies to change their image online? |
There are two steps in taking a 'perfect selfie', the pre-selfie preparation and post-selfie editing.
The first - like the name suggests - is the preparation the taker makes before taking a selfie. By putting effort into taking the selfie itself, one can reduce the time and energy spent editing the photo afterwards. It can involve fixing their hair, applying make up or dressing well. Straightening, curling, dyeing or tying one's hair in a different hairstyle can dramatically change one's appearance and accent one's outfit. Make up such as eyeliner, eye shadow, blush and bronzer can be used to emphasise certain features on the face, while concealer and foundation are able to cover flaws in one's skin. The main focus in a selfie is the taker - in particular their face. The taker can show their feelings at the time of the photo through poses or facial expressions such as the duck face, silly face or classic smile. These can further be accentuated through using different angles, however taking a selfie from below is never flattening and high angles are suggested as often have good results, highlighting the eyes and forehead, while drawing attention away from the chin, jaw and nostrils. Despite these factors playing a significant part in the selfie-taking process, a selfie with perfect hair, make up and clothing is nothing if the lighting is bad, and subsequently lighting plays an essential part in the process of taking a good selfie. Although it is possible to edit a photo's brightness and contrast post-selfie, some lighting is better than none. Taking a selfie with a good quality camera and flash will produce a better selfie than that taken with a bad one. The latter is a process often done through technology and editing apps such as Photoshop and Facetune. Today we have easy access to a wide variety of editing apps, and this has given selfie takers the ability to freely edit their pictures to achieve a form of 'perfection'. The most commonly edited facial features are the skin (colour, acne, pigmentation, pores, wrinkles, under eye circles), eyes (colour, brightness, shape, size) and body/facial shape. Social media apps such as Instagram and Snapchat are also facilitating to the needs of selfie takers, offering a variety of filters and other features to polish a person's appearance. Filters have the ability to modify an image taken - common examples being black and white, sepia and hefe. The ability to adjust brightness, exposure, contrast, warmth, saturation and sharpness through these apps provide variety in how people can edit their pictures, and similarly a variety of end products. |
In what ways do the varying beauty standards of different countries affect the way people take and edit their selfies? |
Due to the cultural differences between countries, differences in beauty standards are inevitable. In order to comply with these standards, selfie takers may take or edit their photos in a particular way.
North America doesn't have one specific beauty standard, however a 'stereotypical beauty' may have tan skin, high cheekbones and a high nose bridge. The tan skin can be acquired through fake tans or by visiting a tanning salon, and produces the appearance of 'returning from a vacation', creating a relaxed and approachable vibe. A prominent nose and cheekbones makes the face more defined creating a sharp image. Men may desire abs or body muscles, and this has lead to the increase of half naked mirror selfies or gym selfies featuring the fit and buff bodies of healthy people who wish to post their unhealthy obsession with their selves. Photoshop is the most used editing app in America, and the use and abuse of it through the media has lead to women believing that a large bottom or breasts, skinny body or big lipsare desirable. Breast implants are the most common cosmetic procedure in the US, and a total of US$37,583,995 was spent on lip augmentation surgeries in America alone. Asian countries have a different perception on beauty, with the belief that a beautiful female has big eyes with double eyelids, a high nose, light, unblemished skin (in the past white skin was seen as having a high socio-economical status.) and a 'V-line' angular chin. Asian make up defines the eyes through eyeliner and eyelid glue/tape, which produces a double eyelid. Taking a selfie from a high angle emphasises the size of the eyes and also makes the jawline look more sharper, as the chin is not so visible. BB cream, foundation and concealer are used to cover facial flaws, and editing apps can be used to whiten and blur the skin. Contouring can be used to make the nose look higher without physically changing its shape, however some people may turn to plastic surgery to achieve these features, particularly in South Korea where around 1 in 5 women have had some form of cosmetic surgery. Unlike America, these beauty standards are not limited to women only, with some men also desiring such features. These beauty standards are changing the way people of all ages take selfies, and also affect how we dress, wear make up and in extreme situations changing our physical appearance. The selfies we take are subsequently affected by this change. |
How can we practice taking 'safe selfies'? |
Like other trends and obsessions, the key to taking safe selfies is being aware.
Awareness lies in knowing what is safe and unsafe. It is important to be conscious and take selfies while considering the consequences that could arise from the actions you take, as in the past many people have suffered because they took selfies in situations where it could be considered inconsiderate or even stupid, with some losing their lives as a result. Moderation plays a major part in selfie awareness, as if one takes too many selfies they may become prone to Selfie Addiction, which is now considered to be a medical condition. The links between Selfie Addiction and other conditions such as Narcissism, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Technology Addiction have been proven, with people like Danny Bowman (see anecdotes) being diagnosed. The definition of moderation is: the avoidance of excess or extremes. This can apply to taking, editing and sharing selfies. Danny is an explicit example of taking too many selfies - His habit of spending 10 hours taking over 200 selfies everyday meant that he would take around 1 selfie every 3 minutes. There is no limit on the number of selfies you can take, and there is no number of selfies that is suggested for us to take. There may be days where we take more selfies, while other days we may take none at all. Moderation in the scenario of selfies simply means that we shouldn't be taking selfies for hours on end. Another part of being aware is realising that by posting selfies online, you are making those pictures available to everyone on the internet. Although privacy settings are able to prevent the spread of your pictures beyond people you know, if these pictures were to be re-uploaded to a different medium of social media without the same privacy settings, anyone will be able to see your pictures. Majority of social media sites allow you to choose which people can see your photos and personal information, if these settings are not managed properly they can be rendered useless. However the dangers don't end there. Facebook recently released a statement saying: 'When you post something, you grant Facebook a license to use that content consistent with our terms...' This doesnt only apply to Facebook, but also to associated apps such as Instagram, raising the question: Are we safe on social media? Overall, the best way to practice taking selfies is to be self aware. Or as I like to put it - 'Selfie-aware'. |