RANT alert!
Say Cheese!
Copying everyone all the time,
the monkey one day cut his throat
– Zulu, South Africa
I’m angry!
It’s holiday season in many parts of the world. Some places are a bit more crowded than usual. And then, there’s the fecking selfies!
Years ago, at college, I was the geek who took loads of photos. Occasionally there would be one using a timer, typically a group shot, where I would set the camera on ten seconds, run in to pose and capture the image. One time!
Now, everyone is photographing everything! So called smart phones made that possible. On holiday, many people have gone selfie crazy. And it’s rarely just one shot!
I recall a recent walk up Cape Point. Its stunning. We had stopped for a breather and took in the panoramic views. And then I observed a woman taking her selfies; snap, check the screen, snap again, check again, retake, review. She must have taken the photo of herself at least six times.
While all of this was going on she missed a huge black lizard on a nearby rock and two Southern Right whales in the bay.
Man! Look up!
Some people are so busy photographing themselves, they might just miss something that’s going on right under their nose.
Why does anyone need so many photos of themselves anyway?
And it doesnt stop there. After the selfie, be sure to attach snapchat ears and apply the app that makes you appear ten years younger.
It’s all a bit narcissistic really.
And it’s not only at tourist attractions. I watch people snapping away in art galleries, placing themselves in the frame in front if the canvas and then they just walk on. They don’t actually stop to look at or consider the art work.
I photographed this image of Juling (Cross eyed) in MACAN gallery, Jakarta last year. The Indonesian artist, I Nyoman Masriadi, brilliantly comments on this moronic behaviour. It’s like a mania that has swept over half the world’s population. A trend. I don’t like trends!
No, I didn’t take a selfie by this canvas, though many around me were doing exactly that. The irony!
On planes, there is usually at least one muppet who has to take multiple shots of themselves in their plane seat (with me in the background) Grrrr!
I’m sorry, is this your first time on an aeroplane?!
And then there’s the selfie stick. Please strike down the eejit who invented that! How many times are you in a public place and someone is there, pulling out their wretched stick and swinging it around, taking repeated snaps of the bar, restaurant or view. Please!
It’s so damn irritating.
I owned a selfie stick once, for about 90 seconds. A group of us were playing a secret Santa game and this was my so called prized gift. My heart sank. The host, a good friend who knows me well, took quick action. She leapt up, grabbed the selfie stick and swapped it for her box of chocolates. Better!
So, rant over.
Maybe I’m being too harsh. So happy holidays everyone. Knock yourself out with your selfie sticks! Whatever floats your boat!
Just leave me out of the picture please!
Selfies. Are you a fan? Love them or loathe them?