The very first working photo cameras were announced in 1839, the first nude was shot less than a year later, and by 1851, nudes of models for artists and appreciative viewers became routine. In other words, as long as cameras existed, we wanted to get naked in front of them. But why? And how did the nude selfie go from scandalous or artistic, to so commonplace that even spies are sick of looking at our bits? We talk about the history, technology, and psychology of nudes and selfies, and chat with Ruan Willow of the Oh Fuck Yeah podcast about how she incorporates exhibitionism into her work and art.
Resources and further reading…
– Ruan Willow | Oh F*ck Yeah Podcast | X/Twitter
– Mating in a Material World
– Chimps Barter for Sex
– Study: Monkeys “Pay” For Sex By Grooming
– Robert Cornelius And The First Selfie
– A Brief History Of Nude Photography
– Report: UK Spies Intercept Webcam Pics, Nudity (1839 To 1939)
– The Role Of Imagery Perspective In Personal Photos
– Where Is The Most Popular Spot In The World To Take A Selfie?
episode 28: tit for tat with the snap