Do you make shadow selfies?
I'm looking for pictures and want to see your work.
How’s everybody doing out there? I’m good. Winter is officially here in Madison. ‘Tis the season for hot toddies and snow parkas!
When I rebooted this newsletter I said it would be an experiment and that I hoped some of you would be a part of it. I’ve been thinking about shadow selfies lately — a photography cliché that seems to run rampant on social media. Have you made one of these before? I’m guessing most of us have at one point. I make them all the time.
The question I’m mulling over right now is Why?
There seems to be a universal desire to make this picture over and over again. It’s funny how that works, but it’s not surprising. Clichés are clichés for a reason. I’m convinced there are creative possibilities for this kind of picture, and I hope you’ll help me unearth some of the great ones that come to mind — historical and contemporary images alike. If you’ve made a shadow selfie, I want to see those too.
I put out a question on Instagram the other day and I’ve been flooded with replies. Everybody seems to make these! I’m working through some ideas and think that looking at more of these images will help me connect the dots. Maybe together we can figure out why they’re so commonplace.
I want to hear from you: Why do you think we’re compelled to make these kinds of images? Is it purely narcissism or is it something else?
You can reach me by replying to this email or writing me directly with your thoughts and your images. If you have historical favorites, send those too. This is not a new phenomenon! As always, feel free to DM me your photos on Instagram.
I plan to curate a newsletter from your submissions and I’ll send that in a few weeks. In the meantime, let me know what you think! I’m eager to hear from you.
PS: Thanks again for all of your comments on my Make or Take? post. I love reading your replies and always appreciate your insights. ICYMI👇
I take them because they can be quite fun using shadow play without going into full selfie mode.
I've never heard of it. Now I know I'm going to try it. :)