If you’ve ever been meandering around your local thrift stores or antique shops, then you’ve probably come across some super creepy old photographs. Now, don’t get us wrong, we love them and they make for the best decor, but you’ve probably noticed that their eyes seem to peer into your soul and they definitely aren’t smiling. We don’t know why or how their eyes pierce us, but we do have answers for that whole “not smiling” thing. Let’s get started!
One reason photographs didn’t often depict people smiling was that camera technology wasn’t quite what it is today, so to capture someone smiling was actually pretty difficult. Exposure times were significantly longer than the millisecond we know them as today, in fact, people were told to sit VERY still after having their picture taken so the photos wouldn’t come out blurry. And, as you can imagine, it’s way easier to sit still with zero expression versus sitting super still with a smile on.
There isn’t necessarily proof that the next reason was a common reason people didn’t smile, more of a hypothesis if you will, but dental hygiene wasn’t what it is today and if people had teeth, they probably didn’t look the best. However, this was a pretty normal thing at the time, so whether or not people were actually self-conscious about this is a question we may never have the answer to.
Early, and we mean early, photography was heavily influenced by its predecessor, paintings. And if you’ve ever seen an old painting of anyone ever, then you know that rarely did even a smirk make an appearance.
This next reason we found to be the most interesting because it really made us realize we are in two different worlds; simply put, smiling in front of a camera didn’t feel natural yet. Sure, someone whips out a camera now and we all put our best face forward, but back in the day, as in not long after cameras were invented, people kinda didn’t really know what to do with their faces.
There’s also a possibility that during the Victorian and Edwardian years, smiling was kind of looked down upon. Social norms are ever-changing, so it’s not crazy to think that during this time smiling was viewed as being in a silly goofy mood.
While they’re few and far between, there are old photographs out there of Victorians smiling and genuinely looking like they’re enjoying their company, or you know, their wedding. But these photos, or rather the photographers behind them are seen as ‘social norm breakers’. So the next time you’re at a thrift store or an antique shop and find an old photo full of smiling pieces, nab yourself a piece of history!
