DIY Photography

Your one stop shop for everything photo-video

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Was This The Most Inappropriate Selfie of 2015?

Jan 4, 2016 by Liron Samuels 9 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Dubai_Fire_2

As millions of people around the world were gathering to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks extravaganzas, a fire broke out in a Dubai skyscraper near the iconic Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest structure and the highlight of the city’s upcoming fireworks display.

As the fire spread so did the photos and videos spectators posted online, but one couple decided to take it a step further and took a selfie with the burning building in the background.

While most viewers spoke out against the couple and some gave them the benefit of the doubt that perhaps they don’t know the difference between a burning skyscraper and a massive fireworks display, the online community did not appreciate the smiling selfie.

When Dubai does something, it does it in the biggest and most impressive way. So, after smashing the world record for the largest fireworks display in 2014 with 479,651 shells in just six minutes (1,332 fireworks per second!), people were obviously expecting another record-breaking spectacle this year.

Stealing the show, however, was the 63-floor luxury Address Hotel with the blazing flames that engulfed its exterior just hours before the fireworks display.

As the word spread on social media, the hashtag #DubaiFire was created and caught on as fast as the fire itself. Among the various photos was the controversial selfie.

The photo was captioned “Happy New Year My dear Dubai. May God bless you and keep you safe. You always surprise us with the biggest fireworks”, and is very possibly the user’s profile is currently set to private.

Dubai_Fire

Unsurprisingly, the photo drew a lot of attention, mostly negative:

People are stupid! #DubaiFire pic.twitter.com/o6oTFxJjxf

— Neha Yadav (@Superneha83) January 1, 2016

https://twitter.com/wallinga/status/682876070497009664/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

https://twitter.com/i_am_redbabasa/status/682900002369216512/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

Those IDIOTS who took a selfie with the burning hotel behind them, SHAME ON YOU! Think of the innocent people inside that hotel!! #DubaiFire

— Soumy ? (@TheVeganVirgo_) January 1, 2016

@TarikSalym I just couldn't get the reason to smile in that selfie when a building was burning in the background
Totally insane#DubaiFire

— Shama Junejo (@ShamaJunejo) January 1, 2016

2015 was a very eventful year when it comes to selfies. We’ve seen an airplane grounded due to a selfie, a husband jailed, a man bitten by a rattlesnake, and an attack on ISIS. A martial arts school promised to turn students into selfie ninjas, Russia had to launch a ‘Safe Selfie’ campaign and a couple of guys followed great white sharks to get a selfie with them, just to name a few.

We’ve also seen the dumbest, most embarrassing and fatal selfies, but is this the most inappropriate selfie of 2015?

For those wondering, the fireworks display went on as usual despite the fire:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEGC7F2ykOc

[via RT]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

Models use closed Facebook groups to warn each other of sexually inappropriate photographers Instagram now demotes “inappropriate” content even if it complies with Community Guidelines World Press Photo disinvited photographer from the awards ceremony over “inappropriate behavior” India proclaims “no-selfie zones” to reduce selfie-related deaths at tourist spots

Filed Under: news Tagged With: Dubai, Fire, fireworks, selfie

Liron Samuels: from diyphotography.net

About Liron Samuels

Liron Samuels is a wildlife and commercial photographer based in Israel.

When he isn't waking up at 4am to take photos of nature, he stays awake until 4am taking photos of the night skies or time lapses.

You can see more of his work on his website or follow him on Facebook.

« Instagram brings 3D Touch-like functionality to Android
Here is The Entire Universe in One Image »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Learn photography

Recent Posts

  • The Nour Triplet V 2.0 lens is more about art than sharpness
  • Surreal Icelandic landscape wins 2023 Epson International Pano Awards
  • 2023 Siena International Photo Awards winner shows the pain and meaninglessness of war
  • Why and how to use photography to document your personal life
  • Shooting long exposures on film with minimal gear

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.netDunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy