In 1839, a man named Robert Cornelius shot an image that would change the world: the first recorded selfie. Taken using a photographic plate he himself designed, composing the image will have required Robert to sit and pose motionless for 10 to 15 minutes. Nowadays, it’s estimated that roughly 92 million selfies are taken every day across the world, most taken on phones, and each within a split second. But innovation is still possible in the art of self-portraiture, and, with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, a foldable phone with ‘FlexCam’ that enables hands-free content creation simply by using Google Assistant voice commands, the ways in which a selfie can be crafted have multiplied once more.
So what would you do with a selfie camera that didn’t require you to hold it? To emphasise the intuitive nature of a phone that folds to prop itself up with a voice assistant that lets you take a shot hands-free, and to demonstrate the endless possibilities for photographing oneself, i-D and Google have created Selfiezine, a zine that places the camera in the hands of four creatives for whom image-making is core to their practice, and talks to them about what the phone enables them to do. Beyond these selfies, in Selfiezine, photographer John Guerrero, stylist Milton Dixon III, and movement director Jerron Herman have come together to demonstrate the power of the Flip4’s camera and its capacity to create striking fashion imagery, too.
As for our four models, Aaron Rose Philip, Kiara Marshall, Cameron Lee Phan, and Deon Hinton, each embody a sense of creative rebellion in their respective fields and advocate for the personal details that make their work so vital. Aside from knowing how to take a good selfie, all four use imagery to communicate vital parts of their identity. So here, using the Flip4, each brings their unique eye into the frame. No longer constrained to simply shooting from the head and shoulders upwards or requiring a full-length mirror, timer, tripod or someone else, hands-free filming allows you to inhabit endless poses and craft top-to-toe selfies with ease.
Hey Google, take a selfie…
AARON ROSE PHILIP
Aaron Rose Philip is a model who has appeared on the pages of i-D and Vogue and the runways of Collina Strada and Moschino. Aaron Rose has taken the industry by storm in the past five years. What motivates her to create her best work possible is dismantling and lessening the inequities that disabled folks experience in being perceived by general society at large. “My work is just one reflection of an entire community that should be understood and seen far more in every facet of the fashion industry, and the world,” she says.
On the power of imagery…
“Imagery and my sense of self always feeds into my work. Being a model for four-going-on-five-years now, I am constantly seeing different versions of myself and what I could look like for different clients – more so in allowing different photographers, makeup and hair artists to use me as a muse and canvas as well. It’s imperative to see honest portrayals of yourself and others in the work you create because creating work is creating space, and a space should be available to every person — not just one type.
On the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and Google Assistant…
“It will redefine the selfie by making the process more accessible. The front-facing camera allows folks to portray themselves in a photo to their specific liking and formatting, especially with the use of photo retouching apps and features, as well. The hands-free selfie camera will allow those who experience mobility issues to have more control and autonomy over how to position the camera, manipulate angles and be able to be close or far to the camera while taking selfies. I’m going to use my hands-free camera to take videos more easily and to be able to have an easier experience taking photos of whole looks I will wear in the future.”
On the future…
“What excites me about this new technology and this upcoming future of content and image making is that it’s something that’s now becoming easier for folks who experience mobility issues to create and express creativity/beauty.”
On what makes a good selfie…
“The best conditions for a selfie are finding a comfortable stance, clear lighting and wearing a good look! Then let it rip.”
KIARA MARSHALL
Kiara Marshall is a model, disability studies graduate student, and casting assistant. She’s appeared in M Le Monde magazine and Vogue, as well as campaigns for brands like Maybelline and Victoria’s Secret. Kiara models because, aside from loving it, she feels passionately about disability representation. Breaking boundaries and blazing a trail in her modelling work, an industry that’s reluctant to change, she feels motivated to create her best work by “remembering why I started,” she says.
On the power of imagery…
“Good imagery is really important for me to show authenticity in my work, especially since a lot of my work revolves around public image. It’s important to represent myself honestly and authentically because I want to attract honest and authentic people into my life. Community is very important to me.”
On the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and Google Assistant…
“Being able to see yourself in real-time as you are taking a photo is transformative because you can be aware of your micromovements and almost view yourself in a third person perspective. Capturing my entire body, including my feet and moving more freely… this feature redefines the selfie because you no longer have to physically hold the phone, which opens up a new world of possibilities of poses. I plan on taking a lot more selfies and videos with friends and family!”
On the future…
“The inclusion of more people with mobility differences is exciting! Content creation is a form of alternative representation outside of more traditional forms by giving people the autonomy to tell and produce their own stories in a way that feels true and authentic. Giving people a hands-free option of creating selfies is groundbreaking in the selfie realm to be able to capture ourselves with ease.”
On what makes a good selfie…
“Good lighting and a clean lens for sharpness!”
CAMERON LEE PHAN
Cameron Lee Phan is an actor, photographer and writer using these different mediums to tell important stories. There are two things that motivate them to create their best work, the first being an unwavering need to flush out their mind. The second is their equally unwavering desire to “play with our heartstrings”. “I love emotions,” Cameron says. “Knowing that my work has touched someone deeply, gave them a sense of peace, or helped their humanity be seen, is the greatest reward I could ever ask for, and it is my ultimate motivator.”
On the power of imagery…
“Imagery is the best way for me to tell you where I’ve been, what I’ve been, and how I’ve been, through pictures, moving pictures, and words. My sense of self is the ever-evolving vehicle to make it happen. I have always wanted my work to feel as if you’re holding onto something raw and tangible, even if it’s just a feeling of it. In the scope of the digital world, our lives have become so filtered and curated. However you may find me or my work, I can only hope that you will be reminded that I’m as human as you. That I’m also equal amounts of love and mistakes.”
On the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and Google Assistant…
“A hands-free selfie camera enables me to capture myself immersed in my environment, my full-length self! This has always been something I enjoyed as a photographer with a tripod; now, I can enjoy it with a camera phone. Hands-free technology means I can have the freedom to use my hands to reconnect with the environment around me. The feature of the flip phone is much like a built-in tripod; this is a great space to expand creativity and the best parts of what photography has always been about! I can capture myself as I am in my environment without the restraints of how I’m going to prop up my device!”
On the future…
“A selfie can return to the mindset of a ‘self-portrait’, which is a beautiful thing. We can redefine the word ‘selfie’ as a photograph taken of ourselves on a mobile device without the interference of our arm in the image. It’s fantastic!”
On what makes a good selfie…
A big, open space at golden hour!
DEON HINTON
Deon Hinton is a model, photographer and art director. He has appeared in campaigns for Calvin Klein, Jacquemus and Maison Margiela, has recently photographed musician Moses Sumney and designer Peter Do, and has creative-directed brand campaigns. His work is intended to create a sense of mirroring himself, others and their experiences. “My favourite work comes from freedom, looseness in my approach and allowing emotion and intent to lead direction,” Deon says.
On the power of imagery…
“I look at the world as a canvas that is up for interpretation. In this world, we are able to reflect realities and dreams from years past, current selves, and our futures. Representation is everything. It’s the drumbeat and pulse behind any and everything I’m a part of. Authenticity is the foundation of what makes life as an artist so enticing to me.”
On the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and Google Assistant…
“This redefines the selfie by allowing more creativity within how one is to capture themselves. A hands-free selfie camera enables you to remain in the moment. Traditional selfies, especially solely focused on timers, force you to get up and adjust and fix shots – now that has been taken care of. It’s taken the craft of self-capturing to an intimate level that allows virtually anyone to enhance themselves as we do the other things we find beautiful and interesting on the other end of the lens.”
On the future…
“Thinking about how more advanced our younger generations will be and how inspired they are set to become by the unlimited potential to be unlocked here.”
On what makes a good selfie…
“I personally enjoy a sunlit, nothing too harsh, selfie where the sun is kissing the skin, but also enjoy an overcast moment too.”
Assistant is not available in certain countries and languages. Requires internet connection.
Credits
All images shot on Samsung Galaxy Flip4
Photography John Guerrero
Fashion Milton Dixon III
Creative direction Georgina Bacchus
Design direction Calum Glenday
Words Ryan White
Movement Jerron Herman
Makeup Michaela Bosch
Hair Erol Karadag and Chika Nishiyama
Casting Nafisa Kaptownwala at In Search Of