Why no smiles?

So a thought hit me.

In old photos, why are the subjects not smiling? So stoic looking.

http://mysticplanet.co​m/ALBUM/DyarFamily.jpg

There is a link to an example of what Im talking about.

I somewhat remember reading somewhere that the reason they didnt smile was because the time it took for the photog to compose the shot, light the flash powder, and for it to go off was so long that they couldnt hold the smile that long.

I dunno why the thought was in my head, I was just curious.

Id like to hear what yall think

(im banking on more jokes than answers):p

I was always curious of that myself. Never quite understood what they had against smiling and why it needed to a mugshot.

From what I understand it was the exposure time needed and holding a smile as the OP said. Try and hold the same smile for more than 10 seconds, not just sit there wipped, you can do that all day.

Yep - try taking a long exposure self-portrait while holding a grimace on your face. Easier to press lips firmly together and look dour. That's why the Mona Lisa's a better painting than American Gothic. :{)#

There was also the issue of dentistry in those days...the lack of good oral hygiene led to some pretty ratty looking smiles.

yeah, i think it's cos they had to take very long exposure back in the days when they used daguerrotype film...

Woolburr wrote in post #5819739
There was also the issue of dentistry in those days...the lack of good oral hygiene led to some pretty ratty looking smiles.

I second this.

I heard this theory from a tour guide in an castle/museum a couple of years ago when she was explaining all the life-size paintings of the royalty who used to live there. No one smile or opened their mouth because their teeth were horrible.

wow, i've never heard that one before, but it makes sense!

I agree with most of the above theories. Having done wet-plate and daguerreotypy, there is also the fact that the processes are only blue-sensitive. This tends to exaggerate any wrinkles in the face, and as one modern daguerreotypist said, "removes 4/7 of any smile." I've had some people smile and it almost always ends up looking like an angry grimace.

It could also be a cultural thing - prior to photography, there were painted portraits. How many of those have a big cheesy grin on them? When you're just looking at someone normally in everyday life do they have a huge smile on their face? Though I agree that there are a number of reasons why people didn't smile, I think to some extent the smile in picture hadn't yet been "invented."

codex0 wrote in post #5820140
When you're just looking at someone normally in everyday life do they have a huge smile on their face?

Which is why passport photos cannot have the subject smiling (for a Canadian passport anyway - I assume it's the same elsewhere)

The authorities want you in a 'normal' look because you're on camera so many times in an airport....looking normal.

Unless you're the miniscule portion of the population that walks around like Carol Brady with a giant grin all day long.

Besides, your passport photo serves as a timer. As the late Erma Bombeck once said, when you start to look like your passport photo, it's time to go home.

Its more to do with the long exposures needed to expose the film..In most studios the subject had to be strapped or braced to stop any subject movement.. Remember in those days cameras didn't have shutters.. The film was loaded, the subject set up and the lens cap removed,,the lens cap acted as the shutter.. Apertures of F/16 and 12ISO was common.. I heard a story where a photographer would estimate his exposure by removing his lens cap and drinking a luke warm cup of tea..

Woolburr wrote in post #5819739
There was also the issue of dentistry in those days...the lack of good oral hygiene led to some pretty ratty looking smiles.

A very good point. Thanks.

codex0 wrote in post #5820140
I agree with most of the above theories. Having done wet-plate and daguerreotypy, there is also the fact that the processes are only blue-sensitive. This tends to exaggerate any wrinkles in the face, and as one modern daguerreotypist said, "removes 4/7 of any smile." I've had some people smile and it almost always ends up looking like an angry grimace.

It could also be a cultural thing - prior to photography, there were painted portraits. How many of those have a big cheesy grin on them? When you're just looking at someone normally in everyday life do they have a huge smile on their face? Though I agree that there are a number of reasons why people didn't smile, I think to some extent the smile in picture hadn't yet been "invented."

I didnt know that. And could see why noone wanted to smile if that were the case. Thanks for that explanation.

Darsk47 wrote in post #5820182
Which is why passport photos cannot have the subject smiling (for a Canadian passport anyway - I assume it's the same elsewhere)

The authorities want you in a 'normal' look because you're on camera so many times in an airport....looking normal.

Unless you're the miniscule portion of the population that walks around like Carol Brady with a giant grin all day long.

I smiled in mine, well maybe it was a strong grin, but nonetheless, I was never told not to...hmm. I dunno.

yogestee wrote in post #5820506
Its more to do with the long exposures needed to expose the film..In most studios the subject had to be strapped or braced to stop any subject movement.. Remember in those days cameras didn't have shutters.. The film was loaded, the subject set up and the lens cap removed,,the lens cap acted as the shutter.. Apertures of F/16 and 12ISO was common.. I heard a story where a photographer would estimate his exposure by removing his lens cap and drinking a luke warm cup of tea..

Lens cap as a shutter, never thought of that either.

Wow a random thought that popped into my head last night had so many variables in answers.

Thanks all.

thekid24 wrote in post #5818522
So a thought hit me.

In old photos, why are the subjects not smiling? So stoic looking.

Nothing was in color. Color wasn't invented until much later. The sky was gray. The grass was gray. Flowers were gray. Then when color was invented, everyone was happy.

Not smiling in photos gives you street creds.