A selfie is a self-portrait photograph (self-photography), typically taken with a hand-held digital camera or camera phone. Selfies are often shared on social networking services such as Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr and Twitter. They are usually flattering and made to appear casual. Most selfies are taken with a camera held at arm's length or pointed at a mirror, rather than by using a self-timer.

#selfie

MANILA, Philippines — “Selfie” has been chosen “Word of the Year” by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Selfie, which was first chosen word of the year by the Oxford Dictionaries in 2013, ‎is defined as “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website.” It was chosen among the 13 words submitted during the Sawikaan 2014, an annual event organized by several cultural heritage organizations lead by NCCA. The words submitted were those that made an impact or prevailed during conversations among Filipinos. In March, 2014, Time magazine online recognized Makati City and Pasig City as the “Selfie Capitals of the World.”

Origin

The earliest usage of the word selfie has been traced to 2002 when it first appeared in an Australian internet forum (ABC Online) on 13 September. As with other new technologies, the protocols and etiquette for taking and disseminating selfies remains under development, with appropriate use a matter for consideration.

By 2013, the word "selfie" had become commonplace enough to be monitored for inclusion in the online version of the Oxford English Dictionary. In November 2013, the word "selfie" was announced as being the "word of the year" by the Oxford English Dictionary, which gave the word itself an Australian origin.

History

Though not described by the use of the word "selfie," the act of self-photography is older than we expected. Robert Cornelius, an American pioneer in photography, produced a daguerreotype of himself in 1839 which is also one of the first photographs of a person. Because the process was slow he was able to uncover the lens, run into the shot for a minute or more, and then replaces the lens cap. He recorded on the back "The first light Picture ever taken. 1839."

The debut of the portable Kodak Brownie box camera in 1900 led to photographic self-portraiture becoming a more widespread technique. The method was usually by mirror and stabilizing the camera either on a nearby object or on a tripod while framing via a viewfinder at the top of the box.

Extra-vehicular activity (EVA) is any activity done by an astronaut or cosmonaut outside a spacecraft beyond the Earth's appreciable atmosphere. In 1966, Buzz Aldrin took the first EVA selfie.

First known selfie, taken by Robert Cornelius in 1839	Woman taking her picture in a mirror, ca. 1900	Buzz Aldrin took the first EVA selfie in 1966.

As the years pass by and the emergence of new telephoto and camera technologies, so did the "selfie" trend. From simple self-portraits in the bathrooms to extreme heights and risky locations such as on top of a sky scraper tower's spire and so much more. From Politicians and Celebrities to common people on dangerous location coupled with stunts. Sometimes it makes one wonder, while technology improves; people would always find ways to do unbelievable if not stupid things.


Selfie is not limited to humans alone, thru image manipulation, digital arts and animal obedience comes images on the internet that one might think is impossible if not difficult. But, alas, there they are.


So, are you ready to take "selfie" to the next level? Before you answer that, here's one on a whole new level.


*Photos are not mine including the video by chad pitt and are properties of their respective owners. No copyright infringement or pun intended.
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