Why Do We Say ‘Cheese’ When Taking Pictures?

In the world of photography, the word “cheese” has become as ubiquitous as the camera itself. It’s the go-to cue for a beaming smile, ensuring everyone’s pearly whites are on full display. But let’s cut through the cheddar and find out why photographers ask you to evoke dairy products just as the shutter clicks. It seems that this cheesy practice has its roots not in the love of Camembert or Brie, but in the pursuit of that picture-perfect grin.

The Origins of ‘Say Cheese’

In the photography world, “say cheese” is the go-to phrase for sparking a sea of toothy grins. It’s the magic spell photographers cast to transform stern looks into peppy portraits.

19th Century Photographic Practices

Back in the 19th century, the notion of a quick snapshot would’ve seemed as bizarre as pineapples on pizza. People sat for photos as if they were posing for a somber oil painting, keeping their expressions as stiff as their corseted torsos. Early cameras had long exposure times, so holding a smile felt similar to nailing jelly to a wall—near impossible. Photographers often prompted folks to say “prunes” to encourage a petite, pursed-lip expression, since a grin was considered downright frivolous, perhaps even a bit scandalous.

The Kodak Connection

Fast forward to the 1900s, when Kodak burst onto the scene with its nifty $1 camera, beckoning everyday Joes and Janes to capture snippets of their lives. No longer did they have to sit still enough to hear the continents drifting—it was time for casual clicks and natural vibes. “Say cheese” became the catchphrase of the hour, encouraging sitters to stretch their faces into something resembling a smile, all thanks to the ‘chee’ sound that makes our chompers pop out like eager gophers. It wasn’t just a saying—it became synonymous with happy snaps and the democratization of photography, a cheeky nod to the less formal, more accessible Kodak moments.

Globetrotting through the Cheese Simile

When travelers snap a photo across different continents, from the cobbled streets of Europe to the bustling metropolises of Asia, a variety of endearing and sometimes quirky sayings prompt those toothy grins. Every culture has its own way of buttering up a smile.

Europe’s Smile Inducers

Spain: When the Spanish aim for a grin, they don’t think of cheese. They much prefer a sweet approach, asking people to say “patata” (potato), which, like the English “cheese,” elongates the mouth into a natural smile.

Russia: In Russia, folks ditch the dairy and invite you to “syr” (cheese), but it’s pronounced with a sibilant ‘s’ sound, tickling the edges of a joyful visage. Plus, there’s the timeless classic, “skazhi syr” (say cheese), mirroring the English version, but with a Slavic twist.

• Say Prunes vs. Watch the Birdie: Over in the UK, one might find the suggestion to “say prunes” instead of “cheese.” This harks back to a time when a smaller, puckered mouth was en vogue. Across the channel, the French photogenic phrase “ouistiti” (a type of monkey), ensures the lips curve upwards. While in members of the former Yugoslavia, “ptičica” (little bird) was a popular choice, akin to the English “watch the birdie.”

A Trip to Asia’s Photographic Terms

Japan: The Japanese prefer to summon a smile not with thoughts of cheese, but with “ii tennen” (good nature), encouraging a serene, unforced expression. For a more cheese-like smile, “chiizu” is said, sounds similar to cheese and does the trick!

Korea: Photogenic moments in Korea are often captured with a playful “kimchi,” beckoning a smile as pleasant as the spicy fermented dish is flavorful.

• Smiling in Photographs: In many Asian countries, the history of smiling in photographs is entwined with cultural norms, often opting for subtler expressions that are believed to capture the sitter’s natural essence.

Americas to Australia: Cheese Variants

Latin American Countries: Throughout Latin America, “whiskey” is occasionally the chosen phrase, perhaps because, like cheese, it incorporates the cheek-raising “ee” sound. Some may argue that after a shot of whiskey, smiling comes a bit more naturally.

• Zele (Slovenia): It would be rare to hear “say cheese” in Slovenia; rather, you’d hear “zele” (lettuce) guiding you towards that picture-perfect expression.
• Australia: Down under, a quirky “say cheese” variant might be “say money,” prompting thoughts of glee rather like the joy of finding an extra bill tucked in your wallet.

From “patata” to “kimchi,” it’s clear that the quest for the perfect photograph knows no borders. Whether it’s through the mention of food, drink, or even the call of a little bird, societies around the globe have their own unique charm to turn a sober expression into a snapshot-worthy smile.

Cultural Quirks in Posing for Portraits

When it comes to striking a pose for a portrait, different cultures have cooked up their own zesty traditions. The choice of words can curl lips into smiles or press them into a prim line, reflecting a medley of societal tastes and psychological tricks.

Why Say Food Names?

Let’s chew on the fact that food names apparently make people grin. Historically, the idea of saying “cheese” to flash a natural smile in photographs might sound as if someone just pulled it out of a hat—or a fridge. But smiling for snapshots wasn’t always in vogue. There was a time when people were as stoic as statues in front of the camera. Now, saying “cheese” is almost reflexive, a slice of tradition ingrained across various cultures where a broad smile is the main course.

The Psychological Cheese Effect

They tell you to say “cheese,” and suddenly that grumpy tide turns, and a smile spreads across the subject’s face like butter on warm toast. It’s not magic—it’s psychology. The word “cheese” stretches the mouth into a semblance of a beaming smile, and before you know it, there’s a picture-perfect moment. Other foods just don’t cut the mustard when it comes to conjuring up that instant, cheese-induced smile.

Say Cheese and Snap! The Impact of Technology on Photography

Photography has transformed from a laborious art to an instant click-and-share phenomenon. This evolution has been flavored by both technological advancements and social customs, notably the practice of saying “cheese” to perfect a toothy grin.

From Brownie to Selfie

As one travels from the vintage charm of the Brownie camera to the glossy sheen of today’s smartphones, it’s clear technology has turned photography on its head—or should we say, faced it towards us. The Brownie, a marvel of its time, democratized photography, making it accessible to the masses.

Fast forward to the current era, where the selfie reigns supreme; cameras are now embedded in our phones, which live in our pockets. Everyone’s an artist, their canvas is social media, and the snapshot is their brush stroke. The technology that once required a cumbersome setup now silently witnesses our every pout and pose.

The Say Cheese Formula Today

In today’s world, the “Say Cheese” formula has evolved, yet it endures as the invisible hand guiding a million grins. Its persisting presence echoes in every corner from family gatherings to touristy landmarks.

The language of “cheese,” once whispered into the air by photographers seeking a snapshot-worthy smile, is now embedded in advertising and cultural standards. It’s a phrase that has become synonymous with the act of taking a picture, morphing from a mere technique to an involuntary squint-and-smile reaction the moment a camera appears.

The magic word “cheese” remains a staple, but the technology means it’s often paired with instant photo filters that turn every Tom, Dick, and Harriet into grinning Cheshire cats, all thanks to the ever-advancing pixel prowess of modern cameras.

Conclusion

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but who knew just one of those words could be “cheese”? It’s a quirky little tradition, isn’t it? Everyone lines up, gazes at the camera, and then, as if by magic, “Cheese!” suddenly stretches the corners of their mouths into grins.

This cheesy practice has teeth, quite literally, as it encourages a smile that shows off one’s pearly whites – something that the mavens of snapshot photography found most appealing. Perhaps it’s the elongated “ee” sound that keeps our smiles from looking more like grimaces. Or maybe it’s just a bit of fun that helps us all loosen up in front of the lens.

But let’s not forget, each smile captured is more than just an echo of a dairy delight. It’s a nod to the joyous moments and the history behind the toothy grin that photographs have been framing since cameras became a household regular.

So the next time someone hollers out “cheese,” chuckle at the randomness of it all, and remember that cameras are stealthy historians capturing slices of life… and that just maybe, Kodak knew a thing or two about making memories stick, just like cheese on the roof of your mouth.