Photographs and Smiling (fun pictures included!!!)

Smithsonian Magazine has a fun little video that briefly discusses the lack of smiles in old photographs.  In 1839 Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre debuted his "Daguerreotype" photographic technique.  On the day of the demonstration it was a bit overcast and the new technology required a fifteen minute exposure.  Holding a steady smile for that long just isn't feasible.  People also only had photographs taken once or twice and usually wanted a serious-looking photo as it was a very formal occasion.  But with good lighting an exposure could be as short as a few seconds.  (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/category/ask-smithsonian/ask-smithsonian-why-dont-people-smile-in-o/#ooid=V0amZrcTqCO35A9JmeDvmfkhl-N_iltw)

Here is a lady and her laughing baby in an Ambrotype from 1860.  Sh obviously couldn't help but laugh a bit too!



It is interesting to see how people's poses and preferred facial expressions have changed over the years just as the technology has changed.  Since I was little my mom has had to tell me to close my mouth in pictures; personally I think I look better with a goofy open-mouth smile! Haha! And the whole "duckface" trend is interesting.  Not really sure where that whole thing started or why people want to look like that.

I also find it interesting how smiling and picture-taking differs between cultures.  When I studied abroad in Luxembourg I lived with a host family and I asked my host brother what he thinks of Americans and if he can tell someone is American without speaking to them.  He said that Americans are always smiling and we all seem to have a pose ready for any picture that might be taken at any time.  And it's true if you think about it.  I have seen pictures of him and his friends and pictures of other Europeans; they do not look happy.  A lot less smiling is going on and they don't seem to know how to work the camera!


Here we see a young European in her natural habitat, not knowing what to do with a camera in her face.  Haha! I kid of course.  This is a Daguerreotype from 1857 and I find it hilarious so I am throwing it in here.  Look at that kid's face. Priceless.  Reminds me of a modern-day child named, Chloe, who has become famous on the internet for her amazing expression.


 
I guess some things transcend time!!