Brantner, Cornelia, & Katharina Lobinger (2015). „Weil das absolute Poserbilder sind!“ Die Wahrnehmung expressiver Authentizität digitaler Selbstbilder und Selfies ["Because they are absolute poser pictures!" The perception of expressive authenticity of digital self-images and selfies]. In Oliver Hahn, Ralf Hohlfeld, & Thomas Knieper (Eds.), Digitale Öffentlichkeiten [Digital publics] (pp. 267-283). Konstanz: UVK Verlag.
Abstract: Digital cameras, mobile and tablet cameras, social networks, and sharing platforms make capturing and sharing photos easier and more ubiquitous than ever. Research and media have been increasingly expressing their concerns over online photo practices on social networks and sharing platforms in recent years. These are aimed primarily at young people and young adults as well as their online handling of personal photographs and especially so-called selfies. The fact that selfies have arrived in the mainstream of the attention economy is reflected not only in selfies tweeting stars or championship footballers, but also in the fact that politicians are increasingly using selfie photo practices. Everyday digital self-photographs are mainly used for impression management and identity negotiation, focusing in particular on aspects of visual authenticity. This paper addresses a research gap: the perceived authenticity of digital self-photography. It also asks what meaning conventional poses, picture styles, and the use of low-tech recordings (e.g., retro-filters) have on authentic picture character. To identify subjective views on the meaning and criteria of visual authenticity, Q methodology was used. [Abstract translation acquired through Google Translate.]
Cornelia Brantner <brantner@iwaf.at> is with the Institut für Wissenskommunikation und angewandte Forschung GmbH / Institute for Knowledge Communication and Applied Research GmbH (IWAF), Vienna.