self-portrait vs selfie

how intent changes everything

Hi everyone,

I hope you’re feeling good lately. October is coming to an end, as is the rainy season. I seem to be finding some stability at the close of autumn, slowing down before winter settles in. Today, a lighter theme, though important nonetheless. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Enjoy the read, and take care.

I have a personal relationship with self-portraiture, perhaps because I've always felt the need to better understand my identity.

A few years ago, while discussing my weekend with some friends at work, I mentioned that I had taken self-portraits. One of my co-workers remarked,

'Well, that’s a fancy way to say you took some selfies, isn’t it?'

This comment made me realize how distant my perception was from the general thinking on this matter. To me, these two concepts are completely contradictory. Let’s delve into it.

Stella’s self-portrait. August 2023

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Selfie: A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically with a smartphone or webcam, and shared via social media. In Mandarin, it’s referred to as 自拍, where 自 represents 自己 (the self) and 拍 signifies taking a picture.

Self-portrait: A portrait that an artist creates of themselves. In Mandarin, it also begins with the character 自, followed by 畫像, which means portrait.

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The definitions above use mediums and goals to differentiate the terms. For example, 'a self-portrait must be created by an artist,' and 'a selfie must be a photograph shared online.' If we consider the act of photography itself, it's essentially the same: taking a picture of oneself. Some might argue that if it's taken with a phone or a webcam, it's more likely to be a selfie, however that's not how I would distinguish the two.

For me, the true difference does not lie in the medium or the end goal. You can take a selfie that will never be shared online, and you can post self-portraits on Instagram taken with your phone.

Perhaps what sets them apart is the intention behind the action. A selfie seeks others' approval, while a self-portrait is created for oneself.

A selfie is about conforming to contemporary social norms, with specific lighting, angles, and attitudes that align with your gender. It's designed to receive likes and make others think you look good. A selfie involves playing the social game of society, wearing the mask we're expected to wear to fit in, often with the hope of receiving praise.

In contrast, a self-portrait is a way to emphasize a particular aspect of yourself or to present a more authentic version of you. It sheds light on elements that may not be immediately visible to others. A self-portrait can focus on emotions, details, or aspects that feel genuinely 'you.' It's a way to capture one facet of yourself at a specific moment, without the pressure of seeking approval.

Models often take selfies as it's integral to their profession to seek validation and represent an idealized physical form for others. A self-portrait, however, is indifferent to others' opinions.

My dear friend Stella, during her trip to Europe this summer, decided to create a self-portrait every day. She did this to document her personal journey while traveling. Here are some of her self-portraits, and I'm grateful that she's willing to share them with you in honor of this topic.

Stella's self-portraits series

Going back to this coworker’s discussion, you can see now how this comment felt off for me. Completely off-topic.

Expressions from Afar: This Issue's Idiom

Mandarin idioms, with figurative meanings, convey centuries of Chinese wisdom, history, and philosophy, serving as a powerful tool for transmitting cultural values and concepts succinctly through language, literature, and daily communication.

譁眾取寵 (huá zhòng qû chông)
”Getting the audience attention on purpose“ or a vulgar claptrap to please the crowds;

This sentence is used when someone wants to put a judgment on a person posting lots of pictures of themselves in swimsuit, or thirst traps, in order to gain followers for example. Which could be giving our audience the opposite of a self-portrait.

An English translation could be ‘put on an act’, maybe?
Funnily in French, saying “Arrête de faire ton cinéma” (stop acting like you’re in movies) means we think someone’s behavior is exaggerated and out of proportions for the situation.

Conclusion

I wonder now if everytime you want to take a picture of yourself, you’ll think again about the purpose behind it. Maybe you can take two versions each time, one for others, and one for yourself. I would love to receive some of those two faceted portraits. or drawings. or poetry. anything you want to share.

If you disagree with the difference betweem portrait and self-portrait, please feel free to comment! I’m looking forward to expand my thinking on this matter.

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