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Archiver > Scotch-Irish > 1998-02 > 0888548134
From: <>
Subject: Re: Sordid details and sour pusses
Date: 26 Feb 1998 22:55:34 EDT
Very interesting and probably so.
Sometimes on this list I smile all evening.
Thanks,
Connie
SJ>>
SJ>> Is there a reason why no one smiled on the old pictures? Wm. A. Hamilton
SJ>> had 26 known children, was known as a Ladies Man, and was just married
SJ>> to his third wife who was 16 years his junior, when the tintype was taken.
SJ>> You'd think he'd be all smiles but looks very dour, (I think that's the wo
SJ>> The new wife looks none too happy either.
SJ>
SJ>I can understand *her* not looking too happy!
SJ>
SJ>Seriously, I think the major reason why folks had very sober faces in *old*
SJ>pictures was that the sensitive medium (this was generally before what we ca
SJ>'film') was not very sensitive. This means *long* exposure times to get an
SJ>image--that is, the 'shutter' had to stay open a long time, perhaps quite a
SJ>seconds, possibly a minute(?)(just guessing here).
SJ>
SJ>The only expression anyone can hold immobile for a relatively long period is
SJ>one in which the face is totally relaxed. This means a sober expression, sin
SJ>to smile requires muscle tension. Try it.
SJ>
SJ>Stan
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