Comments on: Wordless Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008

By: gpc

gpc — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:57:32 +0000

It amazes me, how elegant and almost fragile people look in old photos, when really they must have been stronger and tougher than we are. They, and their photos, have a lot to teach us.

By: Miranda

Miranda — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:06:37 +0000

Nice pic, I noticed too that in the old days, it seems like serious stuff not to smile.

By: Allison

Allison — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:19:55 +0000

Wow, another great antique photo. I love that you post these! They are always fascinating.

I agree with you about our cultural meme for smiling for the camera. I actually really enjoy photos where people aren’t smiling–I find that it is a truer representation of them. And often, people look better when they aren’t “trying” so hard!

Happy WW

By: TwoBarkingDogs

TwoBarkingDogs — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:12:58 +0000

Wow! Great photo. Thanks for sharing.

By: bodhipaksa

bodhipaksa — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:28:36 +0000

@Pamela: I think the lack of smiling was more to do with other factors — partly the fact again that exposures took a long time and holding a fixed smile for 30 seconds would be very uncomfortable, but mostly that having a photograph taken was a serious business.

I don’t think it’s a given that having a photograph taken equals putting on a smile. I think the cultural meme of smiling for the camera has evolved because we want photographs to be reminders of happy times, and if we smile we can convince ourselves that our past was full of such happy times.

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:47:35 +0000

That’s pretty interesting. I also posted an older photo this week, although your photo is about a hundred years older than mine

By: Black on Campus

Black on Campus — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:37:08 +0000

I love old photos. You are so fortunate to have this biece of your family history. This is a beautiful photo. Thank you for sharing.

By: Not Afraid To Use It

Not Afraid To Use It — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:35:27 +0000

I am such a sucker for old photos. I guess that’s why I’m the family genealogist. Or was until having kids put all that on hold. I haven’t been over here in a while. Nice to see you again!

By: ryanne

ryanne — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:31:13 +0000

I love old family photos, they make me want to know more about the subject!

By: Yen

Yen — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:25:58 +0000

thanks for sharing that special someone of you! It’s a very nice photograph! Now, I am missing my Granddaddy!