Teresa Brummett
Online Editor
SPRINGFIELD – What is a selfie? It’s a photograph that you take of yourself.
Believe it or not the very first selfie was taken in 1839 by Robert Cornelius, when he produced a daguerreotype of himself. This was also the very first photo of a person.
The process was very slow so it allowed Cornelius to uncover the lens and then get into the frame for a few minutes and then replace the lens.
In fact the first box camera was invented in 1900 by Kodak Brownie which led to the more self-portraiture technique that we know today.
Don’t think that space has stopped the selfie fascination. In fact in 1966 Astronaut Buzz Aldrin took the first EVA (extra-vehicular activity) selfie while on the Gemini 12 mission in space. Even the Mars Rover has gotten into the fad. Taking photos of itself for research.
As cell phones became more popular so did the use of them for taking a selfie. And it keeps getting more and more popular with no ending in sight.
Back in 2011 Photographer David Slater who was on expedition was taking photos of the Crested Black Macaque Primate when one of the curious ones snatched up his camera. Slater ended up with hundreds of selfies of so called primate on his camera. Actually taking some great shots in the process.
Now because of the love of our pets they are getting in on the selfies to. People are posting and re-posting photos of their pets just to make sure people get a chance to see them, because they think their pet is the best.
Which leads us to the Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) and the Cat Fancy Association cat shows (CFA).These are clubs where people bring their dogs and cat to show. WKC has been around for 139 years and for the CFA it’s been 110 years of doing shows.
WKC is focused on seven different categories. Then they are broken down and eventually put into the mix for the Best in Show winner (Grand Prize).
CFA is similar but has just over forty breeds to vote from. And after breaking them down further they are also placed into the mix for the Best in Show (Grand Prize).
Now you ask why talk about selfies then talk about animals. Well since the popularity is there to take selfies with your pets that’s what I would like you to do.
Send me your pet selfie photos. Whatever photos you’d like to share. If I get enough of them they could be posted in one of our future editions of The Lamp.
Make them as subtle or as crazy as you’d like. Please be fun and enjoy taking the selfie with your pet. The selfie craze continues.
Teresa Brummett can be reached at [email protected]