Chat magazine’s Tanya Russell (left) takes a selfie with Amateur Photographer Editor’s PA Christine Lay during the Guinness World Records attempt at the Blue Fin Building in London. Guinness World Records adjudicator Fortuna Melhem looks on
Staff at Amateur Photographer (AP) took part in the fundraising world record attempt by Tanya Russell, deputy features editor of Chat, at the headquarters of magazine publisher Time Inc (UK) on London’s South Bank.
Tanya was attempting to beat the existing record of 105 selfies, set in May by Hollywood actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
Tanya, who used an iPhone 6 Plus smartphone for the record bid, said: ‘It’s Guinness World Records day today so I thought, well, let’s try and do it.’
Tanya told AP she felt ‘exhilarated’ and ‘excited’ after the picture-taking sessions, of which three are allowed under Guinness World Records rules.
Strict regulations include a condition that the full face and neck of the subject must be shown, and the selfie-taker’s arm must be in shot to show it’s a self-portrait.
Queues stretched around the third floor of the office building as people joined the world record bid
Earlier this week, an attempt by footballer Cristiano Ronaldo also failed to beat Dwayne Johnson’s record because too many of the images were blurred, Guinness World Records adjudicator Fortuna Melhem told AP.
After hearing that her attempts had fallen short of Guinness World Records requirements, Tanya told participants: ‘It was an absolute blast. I honestly can’t thank you all enough.
‘In the final round I took 150 selfies!
‘Unfortunately, the insanely strict guidelines mean only 87 qualified.
‘So the certificate went back to Guinness World Records HQ.’
Tanya’s efforts raised cash for The Silver Line, a helpline for older people.
Chat and Pick Me Up magazines pledged a £2 donation for every selfie taken during the world record attempt.
Amateur Photographer technical writer Callum McInerney-Riley
[All photo credits: © Andy Westlake]