Looks like we’ve been doing it wrong all this time.
In Japan, girls are armed with an arsenal of popular selfie poses to let friends know what they’re up to. At first it may seem silly and shallow, but delve deeper into the art of selfie-taking and you’ll find there’s a lot more than meets the eye.
A short comic drawn by Japanese illustrator @5623V explains why there’s more to Twitter selfies than just simply posing, snapping, and uploading.
▼ In the short comic, pink-sweater-girl Manapis posts
two selfies of herself in near identical poses.
同じような自撮りを2枚載せる理由 pic.twitter.com/ZPbKTpWvuC
— 江崎びす子 (@BisukoEzaki) January 4, 2018
Her friend jokes if it’s a game of “Spot the difference”, wherein her followers have to look for discrepancies between the left and right images, but Manapis points out that there is a valid reason behind it.
In order to achieve a streamline experience on Twitter’s smartphone app, only part of an image shows up on feeds, which slices off a huge portion of single-image selfies. Photos featuring cut-off faces may not be enticing to click on either.
▼ A single-image selfie looks fine on the computer…
https://twitter.com/mumuta_mumu/status/949236985650008065▼ …but a sizable chunk gets cut off
when viewed on your smartphone.
According to Manapis, a workaround for Twitter’s thumbnail mechanism is to upload two photos, which results in both images being fully shown.
▼ Will a double selfie make the transition? (Computer)
https://twitter.com/Kyuppa0830/status/949233440217489408▼ Why, yes it does! (Smartphone)
Since double images retain everything except size, they tend to stand out more than single-image ones on busy Twitter timelines, making followers more likely to retweet the selfie post.
The last section in the comic might best be taken with a pinch of salt however, as Manapis goes on to explain that the format of two images with slightly different poses makes it seem like the person exists in a virtual world.
While we’re not entirely in agreement with Manapis on that last part, her advice on the double-selfie images is spot on. Couple this with some helpful selfie tips from a Japanese movie star, and you’re bound to change the way the world sees you.
…at least on Twitter.
Source: Twitter/@5623V via My Game News Flash
Featured image: Twitter/@5623V
Insert images: Twitter/@mumuta_mumu, Twitter/@Kyuppa0830
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Finnish design brand Iittala partners with Pokémon for a golden first collaborative tableware set
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Denny’s in Japan?
A visit to Tokyo’s fanciest coffeehouse for a 16,200 yen (US$143) bottle of coffee【Pics】
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Finnish design brand Iittala partners with Pokémon for a golden first collaborative tableware set
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Denny’s in Japan?
A visit to Tokyo’s fanciest coffeehouse for a 16,200 yen (US$143) bottle of coffee【Pics】
Buddhist priest arrested for using health insurance card he found on the street
A century of love – How dating and marriage have evolved in Japan
Three reasons why you should definitely visit Taiho Ramen in Fukuoka Prefecture
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
7-Eleven Japan releases Uji matcha smoothies… but only at select locations
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Buddhist priest arrested for using health insurance card he found on the street
A century of love – How dating and marriage have evolved in Japan
Three reasons why you should definitely visit Taiho Ramen in Fukuoka Prefecture
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Ghibli Park releases illustrated “Big Stroll” visitor guide, says there are no trash cans in park
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
Struggling Legoland Japan doubling down and becoming Legoland Resort with new hotel, aquarium
Sanrio Character Ranking results: Cinnamaroll’s five-year streak broken, poll still goes to dogs
Visiting Tokyo’s newest unmanned Self Cafe in Shibuya
Abysmal viewer ratings for Pokémon anime series does not worry its broadcaster the slightest bit
Japan’s cooling body wipe sheets want to help you beat the heat, but which work and which don’t?