Question: Why did people not smile in photographs and when did they start to?

We have all heard a “Picture is worth 1,000 words''. Sometimes multiple ideas can be conveyed by a single still image. Photography has been around since the 1820’s. When compared to our history of human existence that is not very long. But for 200 years we have enjoyed still pictures that have now evolved into some of the most advanced technology. We have instant film, high megapixel lenses, speedy fast shutter speed, interchangeable lenses, and small enough to fit into a pants pocket which is just a few of the modern day luxuries with photography.

When we see photography from the earlier days during the 1800’s we always notice how nobody is smiling. Seeing old black and white photos of our long lost relatives or historic figures. There've been a few theories as to why we don’t see happier humans during those times. Some believe poor dental hygiene or bad teeth was the cause of lack of smiles. Another theory is that due to the length of exposure time people would be in comfortable poses so they could stay still long enough to get the picture. But most experts actually believe the real reason people weren’t smiling was photography took guidance from pre-existing customs in paintings. Many associated smiles in paintings with madness, lewdness and loudness.

When we smile for real it’s capturing a moment. We are able to capture these moments more easily now. Moments of happiness, greif, beauty and despair. There’s usually context behind a smile. Capturing a parent and a child playing, a bride walk down an isle, a firefighter tired from fighting a fire. Back in the beginning of taking a photograph those moments may have not been as easy to capture. In the 1850’s and 60’s photography became more popular and cameras were becoming more advanced that the exposure times took only a few seconds. Which would make capturing those moments a bit easier.

According to experts at the National Library of Wales, the first smile ever photographed was in 1853. The photograph is called “Willy” and It features a young man with close-cropped hair, wearing a nice collared shirt and jacket. He is looking at something off to his right that is amusing him, and the photograph captured just a little smile from him.

Capturing moments, that’s what photography comes down to. Moments of joy, happiness, sadness, and beauty. We can capture far off distance planets and the vast spaces of the universe all the way to the smallest of particles found on our own planet. Andy Warhol said it perfectly,  "The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do”.