To say that this is an acceptable way to take a selfie?

Selfiedisagreement · 2025-12-02T17:45:55+00:00

(Light-hearted - name changed for this) Please, dear Mumsnetters, help me to resolve this disagreement with my friend. They say there are only two acceptable types of photos: scenes (eg of the pyramids or the Taj Mahal) or selfies. It has to be one or the other. I say you can have a selfie with scenery in the background. Who is right? (Image loading)

Original poster

Selfiedisagreement · 03/12/2025 07:06

MontyDonsBlueScarf · 03/12/2025 06:57

A selfie with something interesting in the background is fine. A selfie with something special in the background, and no pictures of the special thing itself, says 'this special thing is only worth something because of me '.

Interesting, thank you

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Original poster

Selfiedisagreement · 03/12/2025 07:06

BatshitCrazyWoman · 03/12/2025 06:10

Definitely not being unreasonable, OP. And brilliant diagram!

I find lots of photos of scenery/landmarks really dull. After my parents died, I threw away so many - lots of pictures of the sea (but no idea where in the world they were taken!). They would have been much better with a person or two in them.

Edited

Yes! I did the same

OP posts:

MontyDonsBlueScarf · 03/12/2025 06:57

A selfie with something interesting in the background is fine. A selfie with something special in the background, and no pictures of the special thing itself, says 'this special thing is only worth something because of me '.

jemim · 03/12/2025 06:48

Hahahahaha! The effort you put in is what I love about this.

RedTagAlan · 03/12/2025 06:15

How about we have a selfie stick with a pop up green screen folded into the handle. James Bond style.

That way, take a selfie anywhere , and insert the background you want.

No wait, I think there are already "influencers" who do green screen.

But the green screen selfie stick ? Hmmmm.. My idea ok, nobody steal it :-)

BatshitCrazyWoman · 03/12/2025 06:10

Definitely not being unreasonable, OP. And brilliant diagram!

I find lots of photos of scenery/landmarks really dull. After my parents died, I threw away so many - lots of pictures of the sea (but no idea where in the world they were taken!). They would have been much better with a person or two in them.

PollyBell · 03/12/2025 06:04

dizzydizzydizzy · 02/12/2025 23:27

YANBU. I thought one of the main reasons for taking selfies was to proove you visited an amazing place, such as the pyramids.

Same, no interest in taking them myself but it is what I thought they were for otherwise you could take them at home

Original poster

Selfiedisagreement · 03/12/2025 06:03

NewOpenWaterSwimmer · 03/12/2025 00:55

If anyone can explain to me how take any selfie where I don’t look like a cross-eyed potato I’d be very grateful. 😂

OP YANBU. And that’s a great diagram.

Thanks! 😁

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Original poster

Selfiedisagreement · 03/12/2025 06:02

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 02/12/2025 23:09

Beautiful illustration op 😂YANBU

Thank you! 😁

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NewOpenWaterSwimmer · 03/12/2025 00:55

If anyone can explain to me how take any selfie where I don’t look like a cross-eyed potato I’d be very grateful. 😂

OP YANBU. And that’s a great diagram.

dizzydizzydizzy · 02/12/2025 23:27

YANBU. I thought one of the main reasons for taking selfies was to proove you visited an amazing place, such as the pyramids.

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 02/12/2025 23:19

YANBU at all OP. Having said that I don’t like it when people take selfies with paintings in art galleries! Really bothers me though I’m not quite sure why!

CoolFineDoneWicked · 02/12/2025 23:12

I don't think selfies are acceptable full stop, but if you must, yes please give me something good in the background.

But don't fanny about at interesting places, getting in everyone's way in pursuit of the perfect selfie-with-background. Any old shit will do, no-one cares.

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 02/12/2025 23:09

Beautiful illustration op 😂YANBU

Runnersandtoms · 02/12/2025 22:42

CandyCayne · 02/12/2025 18:09

How does the landscape in the background make it any less self-regarding?

If it wasn't self-regarding it'd just be a photo of a landscape.

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Yes but it's like proof you went to the place rather than just you saw pictures of it online.

My experience of looking back at old photos has been that the only thing we are interested in is,seeing what the people looked like eg when the kids were little, grandparents were young etc. We skim through pictures of beautiful places we visited but love looking back at nice, and especially at funny pictures of people.

I do think constant selfies with no context is boring but always try and make a point of photographing times when we are with family or friends because it's great to look back on later.

Fgfgfg · 02/12/2025 22:35

Selfies must have an interesting background. I've seen far too many taken in

Toilets - why go out for the evening and photograph yourself in a bathroom?
Bedrooms - usually with random clothing and shoes on the floor
Mirrors - why do I need to see your phone?
What's with the weird angles? You don't walk about in public gazing up at the world with your head twisted to one side so don't do it in a selfie
On holiday with your face so close the the camera that you could be anywhere.
In cars

The only solo selfies I take are when I'm buying new glasses and need to see what they look like. Thank you. I didn't realise I had such a problem with selfies.

NotanotherboxofFrogs · 02/12/2025 22:21

CryMyEyesViolet · 02/12/2025 18:06

A selfie with no background is not an acceptable photo. What’s the point? Who wants a picture you’ve taken of yourself sat on the sofa?

I also insist on a person getting in on landscape photos - there’s no point taking a photo that I can google, get someone in it so it’s interesting to look back on!

My brother tends to take selfies against a blank wall behind him. I hate it..

He did pictures of the kids when they were small lined up with a blank wall behind them as well (they are all old enough to take their own pics now), brother did this even for group shots until I pointed out that they looked like hostages lined against a blank wall.

Personally if I'm taking selfies, it's with a group of friends/family in landscape with the landmark in the background.

Original poster

Selfiedisagreement · 02/12/2025 21:53

@mnhq what I find weird is that, even as the number of total votes increases, the YABU votes are stuck on 3pc.

Are there gremlins?

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Original poster

Selfiedisagreement · 02/12/2025 21:51

I love a diagram too! Thank you 😁

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Talipesmum · 02/12/2025 21:16

YANBU. And love your diagram - best one in ages. Haven’t ever seen one with YABU and YANBU labels before!

friedaddedchilli · 02/12/2025 18:46

CandyCayne · 02/12/2025 18:09

How does the landscape in the background make it any less self-regarding?

If it wasn't self-regarding it'd just be a photo of a landscape.

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I'll allow self-regarding to the extent of including yourself, but in context for god's sake. And make it an interesting context while you're at it.

nadine90 · 02/12/2025 18:24

I would only take a selfie with other people or with something interesting in the background to remember the moment. Agree with pps on that.

Original poster

Selfiedisagreement · 02/12/2025 18:19

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 02/12/2025 18:14

Nobody has voted YABU yet

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You are right !

I could have sworn it was on 3pc at one point. Must go to Specsavers.

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IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 02/12/2025 18:14

Selfiedisagreement · 02/12/2025 18:10

For those voting YABU, I would love to understand more.

Nobody has voted YABU yet

Original poster

Selfiedisagreement · 02/12/2025 18:10

For those voting YABU, I would love to understand more.

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