For those of you familiar with some of my collections here on dA you may be aware of the one called Pro-Am at Arm-Length (some of you may well feature in it).
You can find more at [link] Whilst watching some television the other day, I came across a comercial from Samsung, advertising their latest compact digital camera. Along with all the automated features you find built into to most cameras today (which I'm sure already brings about much disapproval from many creative photographers on dA), Samsungs latest model comes with a LCD screen on the front of the camera as well as one on the back.
Here is a video of the ST 550 in action on Youtube: [link] Returning to the collection I previously mentioned, the notion of the Pro-Am within the design industry in this case can be solidified if we consider Samsung's new product. The designers of the ST 550 have worked on a concept for the camera purely on the basis of previous camera consumer interaction.
Individuals in the photographs from my collection are seen to have recorded their own image whilst holding the camera away from their body - turning the camera around and pointing it back at themself. The engagement we as viewers have is actually quite unique; especially as we can physically locate the camera in relation to the subject. As both aspects here appear connected, the intimacy is intensified - making such works consistently enthralling. Notice how some shots are taken from quite a high distance, above the individuals head, in order to get as much of the body in the frame as possible. Also look for sunglasses that provide the details of which arm is holding the camera.
The ST 550 with its dual LCD screen is not an idea that a designer has conjured up from nowhere, or in a small garden shed-turned workshop. Instead Samsung, as I am sure other brands will also do shortly, have successfully observed how users operate their existing products and have responded by designing this model, tailored-made to the consumer's use and need.
The sheer density or popularity of my collection shows that a camera hasn't before needed such a feature in order to create such images... sceptically I'm not sure if it needs it in the future either. But it does somewhat support the Pro-Am ethos that I have described alongside this collection; being that consumers are not merely consumers, but leading innovators in product design.
Without them, their wouldnt be the ST 550 in the first place.
Pro-Am Presence - Samsung ST 550 
Devious Comments
The phones are well used by girls and also because the quality is worse than on a camera-camera. I personally think I can "change" my look more and look "prettier" with a phone camera due to the low quality of the image. It doesn't capture everything!
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"Watch out for the BlehBlehBleh! "-Charlie the Unicorn
how do you 'change your look'?
really interested in that comment?
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The Protean Self Project
Proteus; the Greek Sea God of multiple forms. The protean self evinces mockery and self-mockery, irony, absurdity and humour.
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"Watch out for the BlehBlehBleh! "-Charlie the Unicorn
i thought that some may have been taken to get a good angle of a new hair cut? it's quite odd to imagine someone taking such a photo of themself - physically stretching to get their whole body, in its near entirity, into the frame... even then you may have frustratingly angled the camera too much in one direction and missed the pose totally...
why do you reckon self-portraits get taken like this in the first place?
without intending to come across crude or particularly sexist - is the camera more of an accessory than I piece of 'artistic' equipment - dare i say much like a hand-held or pocket mirror, small enough to fit in ones handbag or purse?
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The Protean Self Project
Proteus; the Greek Sea God of multiple forms. The protean self evinces mockery and self-mockery, irony, absurdity and humour.
I wouldnt say it is an accessory. It is " a last exit" if you are absolutely addicted to seeing yourself but most of all, it is just used to document times with friends, parties, trips etc. We just like to look at ourselves I guess.
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"Watch out for the BlehBlehBleh! "-Charlie the Unicorn
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The Protean Self Project
Proteus; the Greek Sea God of multiple forms. The protean self evinces mockery and self-mockery, irony, absurdity and humour.
i just wonder why such imagery and engagement with oneself is so popular with females...
where would males experience the same self-reflection, portrayal and presentation as they are dramatically absent from these collections?
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The Protean Self Project
Proteus; the Greek Sea God of multiple forms. The protean self evinces mockery and self-mockery, irony, absurdity and humour.
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