Why Didn’t Anyone Smile in Old Photos?
Looking through old portrait photos, you may notice a common theme. Adults and children in the first portrait photographs were often serious and not smiling. This can even be seen in photographs of weddings and other celebrations where happiness and joy are expected. This is most noticeable in portraits taken in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
But why didn’t everyone smile for the camera? There are numerous theories and ideas as to why people do not express joy in photographs. This article will look at the history of photography as well as the traditions surrounding portraiture.
Portraits were Difficult to Capture with Early Cameras
One of the most common reasons is that photos previously took a long time to expose. The first cameras were not as quick as taking a picture with your phone today. Photos took time to expose, which meant the subject had to sit still for an extended period of time. The first cameras took about 20 minutes to take a photo. To get the best photo, the subject needed to be as still as possible.
Because of the movement, the photo would blur and the subject would be out of focus. As a result, sitting with a relaxed face rather than smiling for 20 minutes was easier. However, this was not the only factor, as camera quality improved over time, becoming very advanced for the time by 1900. Cameras could take a photo in around 20 seconds by the 1900s.
The introduction of the Brownie and other cameras reduced exposure times, allowing people to smile longer. They were slow by today’s standards, but fast by historical standards.
Portrait Photography was Initially Regarded as a Viable Alternative to Painting
There are also parallels with the concept of portraits as a special moment to document a person’s existence. This would have taken hours to hand-paint prior to the invention of cameras. The idea of commissioning a portrait was associated with a special occasion, such as a birthday, achievement, or celebration.
The idea behind a portrait was to take the time to capture a meaningful moment. This custom was carried on even after cameras were invented. It is thought that even before photography was introduced, people had the mentality that it was a serious and significant moment.
Portraits of The Dead were a Victorian Obsession
Another reason people appear serious is the Victorian custom of photographing the deceased. Cameras made it easier and more convenient to take photographs. Photographing the dead became increasingly popular in Victorian times. This is because, unlike today, photos were viewed as a way to capture a ‘frozen presentation’ of a person.
Unlike today’s perception of photography being used to capture a moment in time. When a loved one died, they were dressed in black and photographed standing upright. This was a sort of documentation process that was seen as a path to immortality.
These portraits are often thought to be the reason why some of the first portraiture photography is associated with seriousness. However, the photographs were simply a portraiture style.
Smiling was Frowned Upon from The 1800s to The 1900s
The Victorians and Edwardians despised smiling and had an unusual interest in photographing the dead. Smiling was considered an idiotic and lower-class action at the time. The most powerful and elegant facial expression was thought to be seriousness with a straight face. Although this theory cannot be proven, it can be learned through historical texts and documents.
Because no one smiled for photos, this could be a strong contender. Because smiling was considered foolish, portraits had to be serious.
Finally, for various reasons, people never smile in old photographs. The common trend is related to what was acceptable at the time as well as technological limitations.
