Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Happy old-time photos

Most antique photos give the impression that people in the past were a sober, sad-faced bunch.

But there are enough smiling, fun-loving photos to give a completely different impression.

More at Buzzfeed

10 comments:

  1. why do we assume people who don't smile are 'glum' - I think that people tried to convey more gravitas, more reverence for life - where laughter was seen as 'the ship of fools'.

    Maybe it's not that they were 'glum' maybe we're just grinning like morons.

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  2. In addition to glum, or stern, I've found many old photos of faces to be gaunt, with deep-set eyes. Maybe food was generally in short supply, or maybe it was just the lighting, or maybe I'm just imagining it :)

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  3. I always figured part of the reason was it is harder to hold a smile for a period of time without moving and exposures had to be longer back then.

    Movement equals blur.

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  4. Love the kitten being placed on bearded guy's shoulder by the mystery arm.

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  5. Love that second pic! Photobombed by a kitten!

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  6. Such a revelation! Thanks James! I'd love to know the story behind that second photo, but looking at that Buzzfeed link quickly, I don't see any background on that. By the way, those who like these photos should check that link. There are several more equally as charming as these.

    I feel a bit like I've had a peak through a magic time-travel window (like I did for that film clip posted a few days ago - that was magical too).

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  7. I also find it fascinating that it was common to take photos of deceased family members often posed as if they were alive and seated or sometimes (gulp!) standing next to family members.
    you can find them online but i would not recommend looking at them if you are sensitive - they are not 'graphic' but the images stuck in my head a VERY long time and I at least, found them quite disturbing.

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  8. Always the same.
    There are a lot of people who are smiling, and a lot who can't. At that time the life will have been harder for many people than today. But it always depends on the fact which motives to himself the photographer selects.

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