The perks of being # Selfie

CEBU, Philippines - The trend of capturing self-taken photographs online has soared. What did they call that again? Well, social media refer to it as modern self-portrait a.k.a. “selfie”.

If you’re still not familiar with the term, according to the online dictionaries, the most common definition of selfie is a picture taken of a person by that person using a camera in a smart phone at arm’s length, with the intention of posting it online. It was first popularized by Jim Krause in 2005 (a photographer and author). Although selfie existed years ago, it became viral last year that hit big time largely because of social networking sites and photography applications.

Everybody has been hooked being selfie, from Madonna down to Justin Beiber and even the Obama children were spotted posing with their mobile phones during their father’s recent second inauguration. Not to mention on the list, is some of the Filipino local celebrities who flash their faces in front of their mobile phones, then posting it in any social networking site. Filipinos are taking selfie poses everywhere – CR, road, jeepney, house, school, office, bedroom, mall, restaurants, among others. Filipinos are known as serial uploaders of selfies.

Wherever where you are – facing a comfort room’s mirror – or what you are doing right now, as long as you have your smart phone with you, there is no excuse not to take a selfie pose. If you still don’t get a perfect selfie pose, here are some tips for you:

1. Be creative – Trying out a different or a new hairdo in a rare moment can boost your confidence in posing selfie. You can also accessorize, put a little scarf or earrings or a  little touch of make-up perhaps.

2. Decide a “good side” – Angling your face at a one side of your body and positioning the camera slightly above your eyelid may be a good shot.

3. Let there be light – “Natural light” is the key behind the success of a perfect selfie pose. After sunrise and before sunset, is considered as “magic hour.” If no lighting available, stand into an artificial light and make sure to turn your flash off.

4.  Arms away – Having your arm reached out in a shot is only going to be so flattering. You can also experiment doing this with a tripod with your smart phone or download any free selfie-timer application.

If you’re done scribbling down the tips, go and find a place for you to capture your selfie moment and remember what to do after – upload it. If you want to gain “likes”, post it on Facebook and add a catchy caption; post it on Instagram and don’t forget to use a hashtag; or you may post it on Twitter that you are currently having a selfie moment and tag some of your followers.

The selfie trend has gotten a significant amount of criticism. Selfies are commonly associated not with personal risk but with narcissism and vanity. There is always a critic, and online narcissism has taken a toll on social media, tagging selfies as attention-seekers. Whatever name selfies prefer to be called, it is self-expression.

On that note, dare to strike an awesome self-portrait pose, upload it, and be proud of it. Count me in!