Me, My Selfie, and I.

"Photograph, I don't want your

Photograph, I don't need your

Photograph, all I've got is a photograph

You've gone straight to my head."

It was this past fall when I learned what a "selfie" was. I was living under a rock for the past few years and it was not brought to my attention until I was in Nicaragua with my daughters. Since then, it has become an everyday expression I hear at home, in the news, and places I travel to. The selfie is huge and has gotten to the point of annoyance. 

But that's just me—it's a lot easier, cheaper, and available instead of the photo booths that for some reason feel charging five dollars or more is perfectly acceptable for a strip of photos. At that cost, it's pretty obvious why they are not seen around very often—similar to a pay phone.

Taking photos of yourself is nothing new. It's been done probably since the camera was invented. I would have to assume, however, that the selfie of yesteryear was more of a portrait taken by someone else; it would have been very difficult to hold out one of the older cameras that required you to stand under a dark piece of material and then run to get in front of the camera—all before the flash exploded.

Traveling back about 30-40 years ago, the photo booths were the way to capture a moment that was goofy, spontaneous, and permanent with friends. Growing up we would take them at the mall and wait somewhat patiently to see how they turned out. Often times one head was in front of another, or washed out from the flash, but we still took them home. They were good bookmarks for books we never read. (Probably the most recent one taken was at a wedding my sister and I attended—although the marriage didn't work out—the photo still lives on.)

I am not sure what percentage of photos taken are selfies these days, however I would be willing to bet at least 10 percent of the billions of photos taken have the owner of the smart phone or camera in them—with a background that lets them know where the picture was taken. For some reason, stadiums, a beach and/or large buildings are the most popular. 

One day, and its not in my plans, I would like to do a series of people taking selfies of them selves. I am not sure why it interests me, it's not that exciting, but it brings the camera and love of photography full circle. We have gone from capturing a moment to capturing ourselves. I guess vanity is alive and well.

The photo above was taken on Oak Street Beach in Chicago. As planes were buzzing around overhead practicing for the annual Air & Water Show, this man took it upon himself to capture a selfie; no planes, no trains, no automobiles, just a picture of himself enjoying the moment.

Thanks for stopping by.