Tripod Arm - the Self Photo Fopa - John C.Bieber

Since I became a “Facebook” person a couple of months ago, I see hundreds more photos of people than I ever did before. You know the little picture in the person’s profile. Some people use a cartoon character or some logo they seem to have bonded with rather than their own face. A lot of folks use their pet’s picture. Why would you use your Schnauzer as your profile photo? Let your dog get his own Facebook page. And what are you supposed to say to the dogfaced guy if you ever meet him? “Hey you look different. You shaved and your nose isn’t black and shiny anymore.“
I’ve noticed a new trend in digital photography, the forearm shot or tripod arm. There is probably some new Internet techno name for this self photography… self pic, solo shot, hand shot, forearm shot, shoulder hump shot, loser with no friends shot. Sorry. Why is this? Don’t these people have any friends? Are they only relaxed enough to smile when they’re alone? This could be symptomatic of some sad psychological condition in the Internet world. “Idratherbealoneosis”. (Since I discovered this condition I will accept the Nobel Prize – and the one million dollars – when I win in the category of psycho-babble science.)
Most of the self photos look OK, but some have a very awkward shape of arm in the photo, the bicep usually. Some have the Quasimodo shoulder hump from holding the camera at arm’s length. Here’s a hint - just bend your elbow a little and get your arm out of the frame of the picture and keep trying till you get it right.
Have you noticed how many of these self photos are taken in bathrooms? These poor people seem to need the comfort of the bathroom mirror to make sure they capture the instant that they look good. I guess it is smart to have your comb, brush, curling iron, and makeup handy when doing the home glamour shot. There is one thing though, I’m sick of seeing shower curtains and towel bars in backgrounds of these photos. If you are going to take your own photo at least look behind you first.
There is a certain person – who will remain nameless – who lives in my home – is a teenage girl – is taller than her sister – and uses a digital camera like most people use a hand held mirror. She seems to need to check herself 360 degrees every time she leaves the house. Photo obsession? Counseling? Maybe.
The other noticeable trend in profile photos are all the shots where other people are cropped out. I guess these are the people who think they look good in the shot but don’t want anyone to know who they were with. “Hey honey, who’s that guy with you? I can only see part of his jaw and why is his hand draped over your shoulder? ”
The best photo ever taken of me was my first grade school picture taken at the Lincoln School in Boyertown. My teacher was Mrs. Buzby. That was 43 or so years ago, long before digital cameras. Black and white Polaroid was about as state of the art and as instant as you could get back then. I still look the same as that first grade kid, except for a beard, gray hair, glasses and an extra 175 lbs of XL man size. OK, so at least my eyes are still brown.
You can contact John through his website; www.JohnC.Bieber.com