'Selfie tourism' - AIBU?

[SunflowerPosers]

This weekend I went to a beautiful sunflower field not far from where I live (NC for this as don't want it to be too outing), and I just wondered if anyone else feels the same way as me or whether I'm being too judgey and unreasonable?

There I was with my little DSLR camera trying to get some nice photos of sunflowers, and I couldn't believe the number of people who clearly thought the place existed for their own personal photo shoot.

Women (of a range of ages, not just the early 20s 'influencers') all clearly dressed up, doing 'candid' poses (where they deliberately don't look at the camera for some reason), instructing increasingly exasperated partners to take 20 more photos of them doing very similar poses. People walking around with obnoxiously large 'selfie sticks' where they've got the camera trained only on themselves the whole time, rather than just taking a moment to put their phone down and be present.

Maybe it's my age, but I don't really get it, and just think it all looks so cringeworthy. Of course, I understand wanting to get one or two photos of yourself in a nice location, but some people seem to take it to an extreme level of narcissistic behaviour.

And it seems to be common at so many places now. Go anywhere pretty, and you can barely move for the amount of people with selfie sticks. I'm half convinced that a lot of people you see on walks are only interested in getting photos of themselves to show where they've been, rather than actually enjoying walking!

Apparently there's a term for this sort of thing that I wasn't aware of, selfie tourism. People who specifically go to a location to get the perfect photo of themselves, rather than appreciating where they actually are.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who thinks this is crazy?

I love travel and I love photography but the problem is there are so many of these influencers now that they're ruining places.

I understand that it's nice to have some nice photos of yourself but they don't just take one photo, they spend hours faffing around and don't pay any attention to what's going on around them, and because of instagram they all go to the same spots.

I see why they do it, some of them are making thousands a month. They need the likes and content with people in tends to get more engagement, but it's the entitlement that goes with it.

At one insta worthy place we went to I actually got pushed out of the way by someone because she wanted a photo. I was just standing looking at the view and she came up behind me and pushed me out of her way! I was so shocked I didn't even say anything.

It's not even worth going to the really popular places. Some of them are famous for a reason and you'd feel like you missed out if you didn't go, but often if it's just a scenic spot you're better off looking up quieter alternative viewpoints or going to places you have to walk to get to because none of them want to make the effort to do that.

Hobby

noun

1. an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure.

Oxford English.

Taking one or two photos to say you were there and maybe send to family and friends is fine. I was in a stately home a couple of weeks ago and took a group shot for a family by the entrance for them.

I agree with the OP about overkill as described. The observation my one poster about photos for men to perv over is well made (especially those who don't want to get a VPN or provide details to prove age on porn sites).

Exactly the same when we went to Paris last year. I couldn't get my head around it. Some of the most beautiful works of art in the world and people were more interested in taking pictures of themselves with their backs to the paintings!! It was awful, completely ruined the experience for me. As a few PPs have said - utterly nauseating. Really hope this trend dies out soon.

The lack of self awareness is breathtaking.

OP you have reminded me of that news report during lockdown when a woman criticised people who had driven to a beach and then admitted that it had taken her 40 minutes to drive there herself...

Those sunflower fields exist for people to go and take photos in - that’s how they’re marketed to people - and it’s how the owners make money. In the scheme of things, taking cute photos in a picturesque field of flowers is a pretty harmless leisure pursuit, in my opinion. (Not that I’m going to try it. Every picture my husband takes of me looks dreadful!)

Can’t say it bothers me. You said it yourself you were there taking pictures, the only difference is they were taking selfies. What’s the harm?

Just don’t go to Santorini. It’s full of them. And draping themselves all over churches with these big dresses on for special photoshoots, offending the locals and not giving a damn.

I’m in Majorca atm and I was going to do a post like this. Everywhere you go you’re in someone’s way and it’s not just one shot it’s ages and you have to stand there and wait for them to decide they’ve taken enough photos before you can ‘get in the way’

Strange reply. Most of the rest of us don’t do this for many reasons, but feeling ugly next to sunflowers is definitely not one of them.

Yes it’s annoying. Taking a few photos is fine but taking hundreds of yourself, getting in everyone else’s way is just annoying.

Haven’t read the thread yet. But this is the peak audience for sunflower fields. It’s why farmers are diversifying with sunflower and petal fields to take advantage of the commercial opportunity.

It’s not a secret and not something I’d complain about given they are the target audience. They didn’t exist 20 years ago.

Some offer DLSR photographers sessions for people, maybe this might appeal to you?

You should have pushed her right back. Seriously, I would have no problem giving a very hard shove at that point. And look them dead in the eye. Sorry, was I in your fucking way?

I live in a tourist area and am staggered by this sort of thing. I walk past them on my way home from work, and it’s the Chinese tourists that are the most insane. They seem to have a whole bag full of props to try out in each photo shop. Is this a Hermes scarf pic, or a LV bag shot, they ae to wonder. Hat or no hat. Accomplice on a folding stool or just standing. It’s crazy! I’m kit on insta so maybe don’t get it but why???? Just why???

YABU
You were there taking photos too.
Them taking selfies takes nothing away from you, or anyone else.

I think it is crazy but then I think social media is crazy too. I’ve seen first hand how all this narcissistic behaviour leads to anxious, neurotic people, particularly youngsters. At some point it’ll all implode.

Until then I’ll continue using my old phone and camera for nice scenic photos. Oh and mopping up the sad remnants of said people after their neuroses get too much.

So let me get this right:
You were taking photos the right way and they were doing it the wrong way.

Okay then 🙄

Oh god it's awful. I was in Whitehall, London with my family and saw a woman with her exasperated partner taking photos of her doing several poses next to a red phone box.... My family and I went to sneak a peek at downing Street and doing several other touristy things (from Scotland) and at least half an hour later as we walked past again to get to underground, she was still there doing the same poses. It was ridiculous and very cringey. I agree with you. A few photos, maybe few candid ones, but doing that selfie tourism is too much

The irony of taking photos of people (you think) are going to post them on instagram, to post on instagram yourself 😃

nnnnnggghhh...I understand why people here are pointing out the OP's hypocrisy BUT there is just 'something' about some of those selfie-takers that is very aggravating. And of course, who seems aggravating will vary depending on who we are.

As a hillwalker I occasionally witness summit posturing for photos. For me, the most annoying one is the standing on one leg, arms akimbo YAY pose.
Put your arms down ffs. Compose yourself.

It's my problem though. I know that.

BUT there is just 'something' about some of those selfie-takers that is very aggravating

I'd say that trespassing, damaging crops, risking their lives on rocks, bridges or cliffs, parking dangerously and/or illegally, making others queue to see the view or neglecting their DC in potentially hazardous environments is the difference.

The selfie takers are usually guilty of at least one of those, unlike the general landscape photographers.

Wellll yes...all of that but also and fundamentally, I think many of us at 40+ were raised not to make too much of oneself. Maybe we have a stick up our arse but at least it's not a selfie stick. With the absolute integration of social media now, this generation are very different.

Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is debatable.

I used to model for some photographers (I am not a professional model and I'm not beautiful; there was a niche, and no it wasn't porn). We used to go to certain places for the right background. Is that different?

Did you go at peak times, block the thing that everyone has come to see and expect everyone to keep out of your way, for up to an hour, doing it?
I'd like to add in the fashion to go to shopping places and do a dance to whatever is trending/been put on a dance challenge. At least a lot of gyms now have rules and the previous nonsense has lessened.

Having said all that, I'm off camping today - my friend and I are booked into a scenic beach campsite for the night. I know she'll be selfying away completely unaware of anyone else around her...but I'll only roll my eyes inwardly. I'll even take a few shots of her myself to help.
It's what people do now isn't it?
Ok not me. But lots.