They say a picture is worth a thousand words unless it’s a selfie, then it’s worthless. The newsfeed on my FB page is usually littered with all sorts of interesting things my friends and acquaintances post up. From moving Free Palestine posts to interesting scientific advancements to the dreaded selfies of friends. I consider these selfies to be in the same category as Myspace Angles from six/seven years ago. The scary thing is, the selfies on my FB network of friends are not just girls as one would expect but lots of guys feel the need to take random pictures of themselves in the bathroom, train station, their car, or even at the gym. Seriously, get over yourselves!
Unfortunately, taking selfies is serious business these days. What if you could take a “classic” bathroom selfie without having to show your phone/camera in the picture? The first type of a selfie usually involves the subject aiming the camera at the mirror to snap of picture of themselves. The problem with that is that it looks terrible unless it involves booty and boobies like the picture seen above. The second type involves reaching far out and aiming the camera back at yourself (and your group) to capture that “picture perfect” moment. The problem with that is that you can see your stretched out arm and that it looks terrible. Selfies with a beautiful backdrop is fine but in a bathroom? I think not.
S.E.L.F.I.E Mirror
This is where S.E.L.F.I.E – The Self Enhancing Live Feed Image Engine by iStrategyLabs comes into play. Yes, believe it or not but somebody created a mirror that takes a photo of you and posts it to the web. Cool or creepy? A hidden camera behind the mirror in the washroom seems perfectly normal, right?
The S.E.L.F.I.E uses a Mac Mini computer for facial recognition while the webcam and LED lights are powered by an Arduino computer which works as your visual timer. All of the components are snuggled behind a one way mirror which looks like a medicine cabinet of some sort. The entire contraption works by the subject standing in a predesignated spot and smiling at the mirror where the smile recognition system will trigger the shutter to capture the frame.
Something like this could probably be made at home with a bit of know-how but then again, why waste your time? If you’re a selfie addict, it’s not like you can take this device with you everywhere you go. Besides, it wouldn’t be a true selfie if you can’t see your extended arm. Plus it would be pretty damn creepy for your guests if they knew what has happening behind that innocent mirror they are staring into.
There is no price on the S.E.L.F.I.E as it’s just an experiment by iStrategyLabs. Check our their website for more details and you can also contact them should you want one built.
