Say, "Cheese!"

Today we're flashing back to the not-so-smiley face of photography history. Ever wondered why photographers say "cheese" to get you to smile? Or why your great-grandparents' photos were all so serious? Let’s zoom into the past and find out why the words "prunes" and "cheese" played pivotal roles in photo history.

Back in the early days of photography, capturing a photo wasn't just a click away. It was a formal, often lengthy process. Smiling wasn’t just hard to maintain during long exposures; it was also culturally and socially uncommon to grin in a photograph.

Enter "prunes." In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, photographers often asked people to say "prunes." This wasn't about a love for dried fruit. Saying "prunes" pulls your mouth into a tight, small, and more serious expression. This suited the era's photographic norms, where a composed, dignified demeanor was the gold standard in portraits — reflecting the general solemnity and formality of the time.

When we fast forward to the mid-20th century, cameras became more advanced and society less formal. The exposure times shortened, photography became more accessible, and the cultural demeanor loosened up. Smiling in photos became not only possible but also desirable.

That’s when "cheese" made its grand entrance. Photographers found that asking people to say "cheese" made for a friendly, open, and spontaneous smile — perfect for the more relaxed, joyful family photos that people started to prefer. The transition from "prunes" to "cheese" wasn't just about changing photographic technology; it reflected a broader shift towards a more casual, optimistic society that valued cheerfulness and approachability.

So, from the tight-lipped "prune" poses of our ancestors to the wide "cheese" grins of today, the evolution of this simple photo prompt tells a bigger story about changes in technology, culture, and even social norms.

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