Samenvatting: Katrin Tiidenberg (2018) – What are Selfies

Summary literature Perfect Self(ie)

Katrin Tiidenberg (2018) – What are Selfies .......................................................................................2

Key concepts ........................................................................................................................................2

Short summary of the text ....................................................................................................................3

Summary of the text .............................................................................................................................5

Introduction......................................................................................................................................5

A brief explanation of visual self-representation in art history .......................................................6

Self-representation in photography: another brief history ...............................................................8

Going digital ....................................................................................................................................9

Camera on your Phone.....................................................................................................................9

Shareable........................................................................................................................................10

Selfie as a networked self-representation ......................................................................................10

So what are selfies? .......................................................................................................................13

, Katrin Tiidenberg (2018) – What are Selfies


Tiidenberg, Katrin (2018). “What are Selfies.” Emerald Society Now Books (p. 17-46).


Key concepts
Introduction to Selfies
- Selfies are a pervasive cultural phenomenon subject to various interpretations.
- People often objectify selfies, attributing specific qualities or values to them.
- Selfies have been seen as tools for identifying health indicators and psychopathology.
Meaning of Selfies
- Selfies’ meanings come from what people do with them, not just their inherent qualities.
- Selfies represent a unique configuration of photographic, self-representational, and
networked elements.
Historical Context of Selfies
- Selfies are defined as self-taken photos uploaded to social media, emphasizing their
digital, self-representational, and networked nature.
- Selfies have historical roots in visual self-representation and photography.
Interpretations of Selfies
- Interpretations of selfies vary, with some considering them a continuation of self-
portraiture and others connecting them to broader forms of visual self-representation.
Visual Self-Representation in Art History
- Visual self-representation explores how we convey meanings about ourselves visually.
- Self-representation goes beyond symbolism and involves identification with various
elements.
- Art history shows how self-portraits emphasize social identity and group memberships.
Self-Representation in Photography
- Photography’s history is marked by developments leading to selfies.
- Early photography was dominated by portraits and self-portraits.
- Scholars debated the authenticity of photographs and their various interpretations.
Going Digital
- The shift to digital photography transformed image processing and accessibility.
- Digital images are easily copied and edited, changing the value and meaning of photos.
- Sorting, tagging, and deleting digital photos reshaped how we view them.