Saying "Cheese" when taking photos.

Ian D J

Ian D J

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Ian D J
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One of those random thoughts that sprang to mind while the going is being quiet at the moment.

Do photographers still say "Cheese" or "Watch the birdy" when taking photos of people, whether it's a portrait or outdoors group. Do you employ a particular phrase or gesture?

In my case, during the rare occasions when I'm taking photos involving a person or people, I usually do a countdown down from three and say "Go!" and then stick my thumb up once I'm done.
 
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Usually I choose a word or phrase related to the gathering, something humorous usually works best for the reaction it causes :)
 
I tried one I saw in monsters university with the kids which was horay!! Seemed to work. When they say cheese it looks too forced.
 
A pro I once worked with was commissioned to take a load of "relaxed" mug shots of the directors and senior managers of a company. She recommended that, to get a natural look rather than a forced grin, you ask individuals a question about something "happy" to which they have to answer "yes". e.g. did you have a lovely holiday? isn't the weather great today? etc. take the shot as they answer as most people give you a relaxed natural smile when answering such questions. Worth a try.
 
FWIW Ian, they say "cheese" in France too......not sure why.

Bob
 
Marcus Geezer said:
Some little 5 year old school girl said she wanted to say 'smelly wellies' instead of my usual smiley word. Worked for me, best smile of the day.
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I think i would have been giggling at that and ended up with some very blurry images lol:D
 
Canon Bob said:
FWIW Ian, they say "cheese" in France too......not sure why.

Bob
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The reason for saying "cheese" when having one's photograph taken is that if the word is enunciated dramatically it causes one's mouth to adopt a shape which loosely resembles a smile (more of a grotesque grimace, in my opinion). So it came about as a way to get subjects to look like they were smiling. For this reason, it's a word that is used in this context across cultures and languages.
 
I ask everyone to LOUDLY say "HA HA" ..... then wait a fraction of a second after they've done it before pressing the button. Faces usually relax into a natural smile straight afterwards. (now give it a try yourself. Go on! ;):LOL: )
 
Marcus Geezer said:
Some little 5 year old school girl said she wanted to say 'smelly wellies' instead of my usual smiley word. Worked for me, best smile of the day.
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'Smelly bottoms' works even better, I've used that several times (but you have to work up to it, from say 'smelly bananas' and once that's lost effect you use increasingly smelly options).
 
Too cheesy.. :)

Anything that gets the reaction you're looking for in the final image(s) I guess...
 
One of those little electronic `fart` gadgets (if you can't manage a natural one ;) ) will usually raise a smile.
 
Wallace-and-gromit_0.jpg
 
This where being a photographer isnt just about tech or marketing or knowing how to pose because you went on a course or watched it on youtube, this is the dark art of being a 'people person'. You can learn certain things to improve your skills, but I think you've either got it or you haven't.
 
Lemaildetom said:
In France we say "ouistiti!" (which means marmoset!). But I'm sure there's other one too....
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I recognise that word Thomas but would never have guessed the spelling. "Cheese" was definitely frequent at the weddings I shot.

Bob
 
I remember for one large and relatively unruly group, the guy I was second shooting with, asked the assembled mob to say something that began with an A and would get trapped by the swear filter on here. They Obliged, and immediately realised how silly it was (the sound of 40 arseholes is something never forgotten after all) and all started smiling/laughing... only then did he press the shutter on the camera.


ETA: ooops - I really thought the swearie filter would catch that one :lol:
 
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I took a group photo of some clients once, including a pretty well-known photographer - he shouted out "Lesbians!" just as I got down to 1 on the countdown - worked very well, but possibly not one for everyday use.
 
Durbs said:
I took a group photo of some clients once, including a pretty well-known photographer - he shouted out "Lesbians!" just as I got down to 1 on the countdown - worked very well, but possibly not one for everyday use.
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That's what we use for family photos and have done for years. Maybe it was taught in the '50s at a London photography college since that's where Dad studied the craft?
 
I generally use 'wheres my pig ?' which i think i nicked from Daryl
 
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