Selfie rage

Most of us have succumbed to what the Oxford Dictionary defines as, “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website". Yes, we are talking about the “selfie". The self-portrait has evolved.

It's actually over 500 years old and since then, “self rendering" has gone from expensive works of art to a 21st century celebrity-backed phenomenon.

Let’s take a look at some numbers. Instagram, the best selfie network thanks to its colour filters, has over 150 million users who generate 16 billion photos and 1 billion-plus ‘likes’ every day.

One of the Kardashians, Kylie Jenner, tops the list of celeb selfies, with 451 shots of herself. And US President Barack Obama is at the bottom of that list — with well, zero.

Marketing firms are also zeroing in on the selfie. For example, brands are spending thousands of dollars each year trying to get on the selfie wagon. The TV show 'Walking Dead' even has an app that could give you a zombie face. And even jewellery designers are promoting their brands through celebrity selfies, asking stars to take shots of themselves whenever they wear a designer’s work.

The selfie then, has also become a marketing strategy that’s out there in a flash, quite literally. Even city youngsters have tips for that perfect selfie.

Akanksha Arogya, a BBA student at Amity who clicks a lot of selfies, says, "Of course I click a lot of selfies, I am a little self obsessed. While clicking one I always make sure that the click looks natural. As the selfie is a close-up picture of yourself, I make sure I always carry a smile."

Tarz Rabbani, a mass communication student from the city says, “Know your face structure the best. Choose correct lighting as too much light makes your nose shine. Though I click a lot of selfies throughout the day, only a selected few go on Facebook."

She adds, “The selfie has its own advantages. You can make funny faces and you also won't get bored clicking your own pictures."

Our Bollywood actors, meanwhile, have been making the best use of selfies. Sonam Kapoor, for example, posts a lot of selfies on Instagram. Priyanka Chopra, Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Ayushmann Khurrana are a few who have also joined the bandwagon. Actress Sanjjanaa says that she takes a lot of selfies and also admits being part of promo campaigns. “I was once paid in kind for a photo I had uploaded on Facebook and Twitter. When I’m wearing a new dress and am looking really good, I make sure I click a picture of myself. Before taking a selfie I make sure that the lighting is decent. Also, I like the left angle of mine, so most of my selfies would be from that angle. When I feel that I need a new display picture, I quickly take a picture of mine and upload it,” she says.

Actor Harshvardhan says that while he clicks a lot of selfies, they are only for professional use. “I use selfies for professional use. You shoot a scene today and another scene the next day, so I click selfies to help the direction department to maintain a record on continuity of hairstyle, costumes and make up."

Here are a few tips to get that shot right

• To look good in a selfie, you need to perfect your poser face and angles. Try taking selfies at home and figure out which angle suits you best and which features should be played up.
• Keep the camera at a higher angle. This ensures that you look thin. Also make sure the camera is not in your face. Click from a distance.
• It's best to avoid direct sun light. It's better to stand near a window or inside a well-lit room for flattering images.
• Sunglasses are a great way to glam up tired faces.
• Just one picture won't cut it. Take multiple shots, from all angles (horizontal, vertical) and then choose the best snap.
• Also master a good photo-editing app and stick to an Instragram filter that suits you.