an open letter to people with webcam pics

You do realize the camera is not actually in your computer screen, right? It’s usually located on top of (or to the side) of your monitor.

I ask this, because we have a plague of internet pictures in which people are never looking at us, but off to the side… and it’s a little impersonal.

I don’t think most of you do this on purpose – I doubt society has collectively made a conscious decision to look aloof or distracted to artistic effect; more likely, people aren’t making the mental leap that even though the picture is in their computer screen, the camera is not.

I know this is a little confusing, but trust me, it’s easy to get the hang of. And you want to.

When I see someone staring off to the side, I think, “hmm, this person is so caught up with looking at themselves on their screen they didn’t even realize they should be looking at the camera.” I mean, the picture you’re taking is for us, right?  So look at us, not at yourself!

So, here is an easy guide to taking a picture of yourself with a webcam: