Randy Chandler
Say cheese is a phrase used by photographers to encourage their subjects to smile for the camera. The phrase is not intended as a joke, but rather to prompt the subject to form an ee sound, which causes the mouth to widen and creates a smile-like expression. The phrase has been recorded as early as 1943 and is used in many different languages and cultures, with some variations such as sei no in Japan and Chie zi in China.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To make people smile for a photograph |
| Who says it | Photographers |
| Who it is said to | Subjects of a photograph |
| Why it works | Saying "cheese" in an exaggerated way makes a person look like they are smiling |
| Synonyms | "Chie zi" (Chinese), "Sei, No..." (Japanese), "Käsekuchen" (German), "Itt repül a kis madár" (Hungarian), "Hari" (Hindi), "תגידו צ'יז" (Hebrew), "Di/diga/decid patata" (Spanish), "Mirar al pajarito" (Spanish), "Ptičica" (Serbian), "Lach eens naar het vogeltje" (Dutch), "Olha o passarinho" (Portuguese) |
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What You'll Learn
Why do photographers say cheese?
The phrase "say cheese" is an instruction used by photographers to make their subjects smile with their lips apart and teeth showing. The tradition of saying "cheese" has been around for over a century, with the first known use of the phrase as a photographic aid recorded in a 1943 issue of the Oxford English Dictionary. The entry defined "cheese" as "used by photographers as an exclamation to make a person look pleasant, natural, and so on".
The word "cheese" is particularly effective in eliciting a smile because the ch sound causes one to clench their teeth, and the long ee sound parts the lips, forming a smile-like mouth position. This phenomenon is not unique to the English language, as photographers in other countries use similar words and phrases to achieve the same effect. For example, in South Korea, photographers tell their subjects to "say 'kimchi'", while in India, "cheese" is primarily used by college students and teenagers, with photographers more commonly saying "smile please".
While the exact origin of the phrase is unknown, there are several theories as to why "cheese" became the go-to word for photographers. One theory suggests that it evolved from an old joke about a photographer who "cut the cheese", which would get a laugh from the subjects and result in a smile for the photo. Over time, the phrase was shortened to just "cut the cheese" and eventually to "cheese".
Another theory suggests that the word "cheese" was chosen because it is easy to remember, say, and understand, regardless of age or language proficiency. Additionally, the act of smiling has become associated with photography due to the increasing availability of cameras in the 20th century, which made capturing everyday moments more accessible and normalized the act of smiling in photographs.
Today, saying "cheese" has become such a commonplace phrase that the word "say" is often omitted, with photographers simply instructing their subjects to "cheese"
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Why does saying cheese make you smile?
"Say cheese" is an English-language instruction used by photographers to make their subjects smile with their lips apart and teeth showing. The phrase has been used for over a century, with one of the earliest mentions appearing in a 1943 issue of the Oxford English Dictionary. The exact origin of the phrase is unknown, but it is believed to be linked to the way the "'ch" sound positions the teeth and the long "ee" sound parts the lips, forming a smile.
In the 19th century, most people were expected to maintain a neutral facial expression in photographs due to the time-consuming nature of early photography. During the Victorian era, a small, tightly controlled mouth was considered beautiful, and photographers would instruct their subjects to "say prunes." The long exposure time required for early photographs also made it challenging to capture a smile.
As photography evolved and became more accessible in the 20th century, smiling in photographs became more common. The phrase "say cheese" gained popularity as a simple and effective way to elicit a smile from people of all ages. However, some photographers argue that "say cheese" does not always result in a natural-looking smile and can lead to forced or fake-looking expressions.
To achieve a more genuine smile in photographs, some suggest using words that end with an "uh" sound, such as "mocha" or "pizza." Others recommend laughing right before the photo is taken, relaxing the face, or thinking of happy memories. While there is no magic phrase that guarantees a perfect smile, allowing subjects to feel comfortable, relaxed, and engaged in the moment can help capture more authentic expressions.
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The history of say cheese
In the early years of photography, people rarely smiled in photographs. This was due to a combination of cultural norms, poor dental care, and long exposure times required to capture an image. During the Victorian era (1837-1901), for example, a small, tightly controlled mouth was considered beautiful, and photographers would elicit this expression by asking their subjects to ""say prunes".
The phrase "say cheese" was first recorded in 1943 and is believed to have been introduced by American lawyer, diplomat, and ambassador to Russia, Joseph E. Davies (1876-1958). While having his picture taken on the set of "Mission to Moscow", Davies disclosed the formula for a guaranteed smile: simply say "cheese". Davies attributed this formula to a mysterious "astute politician", who many believe to have been Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The phrase caught on quickly due to its effectiveness in producing smile-like expressions. The ""ch" sound in "cheese" causes one to clench their teeth, and the long "ee" sound parts the lips, creating a facial expression that resembles a smile. "Say cheese" soon became a commonplace phrase, with photographers using it to encourage their subjects to smile for the camera.
Today, "say cheese" has become so ingrained in photography culture that the word "say" is often omitted, with photographers simply instructing their subjects to "cheese".
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How to get a good photo
The phrase "say cheese" is used by photographers to get their subjects to smile for a photo. The phrase is intended to make people move their mouths into a smile, with the "ee" sound in "cheese" causing people to widen their mouths.
- Understand lighting: Lighting is essential to taking good photographs. Light can come from different angles and strengths, and even colours, creating different effects. Light in front of the subject can make it easier to get an even exposure, but it may be considered boring. Light from the side creates dynamic shadows and can add interest to an image. Backlighting is the trickiest to master, but it can make the subject appear to glow.
- Experiment with exposure: There is no "correct" exposure in photography. Underexposing an image can create a sombre mood, while increasing the exposure can give images a light and airy feel.
- Understand your equipment: Familiarize yourself with your camera's tools, techniques, and capabilities. Play around with different lenses, cameras, and settings to get a feel for what works best for you.
- Practice: Shoot as much as you can and analyse your work. Understand why certain photos work and others don't. Learn from famous photographers and develop your own style.
- Timing is key: Learn to capture the perfect moment. Using your camera's burst mode can help with this, as timing can be a matter of seconds or even milliseconds. The time of day also makes a big difference in the lighting and mood of your photo.
- Be creative: Break the rules and let your inspiration guide you. Photography is about showing your unique view of the world, so don't be afraid to experiment and try new things.
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Say cheese alternatives in other languages
The English phrase "say cheese" is used by photographers to make their subjects smile for a photo. The phrase is said to originate in the 19th century when most people were expected to maintain a neutral expression in photographs. The word "cheese" contains a close unrounded front vowel (/i:/) that is difficult to pronounce without smiling, making it ideal for this purpose.
French: In French, photographers might say "dites ouistiti" which means "say marmoset". The phrase forces a similar sharp "ee" sound as "cheese" in English, resulting in a smile. Other alternatives include simply asking people to smile by saying "Souriez!" or saying "Pepsi!".
Arabic: Arabic-speaking photographers have several options to make their subjects smile. They can say "يالله، بسمة حلوة" (Yallah basmah hilwa), which means "yallah, a beautiful smile". Alternatively, they can shorten it to "يالله بسمة" (yallah, basmah), which means "yallah, smile". The imperative form of "to smile" can also be used: "إبتـَسّـَم" (ibtassam), which directly translates to "smile".
Chinese: In Mandarin Chinese, photographers say "茄子" (qiézi), which means "eggplant". The word contains a sharp "ch" sound that forces the speaker to bare their teeth. In Cantonese, the phrase changes to "笑" (siu), meaning "laugh", or "小小" (siusiu), which means "small".
Spanish: In European Spanish, photographers might say "¡Sonrían!" or "¡Sonreíd!", which is the imperative form of "to smile". In Latin America, it is more common to say "Whiskey!", which has a similar effect on the mouth as "cheese" in English.
German: Germans also use a phrase involving a little bird, but it is usually reserved for children: "Wo ist das Vögelchen?", which means "Where is the birdie?". Other phrases Germans use include "Spaghetti" (elongating the "i" at the end), "Käsekuchen", and simply "Lächeln", which means "smile".
Japanese: In Japan, photographers might say "Hai, cheezu!", which means "Yes, cheese!".
Korean: Koreans have a unique way to make people smile for photos. They say, "1, 2, 3, KIMCHIIIIII!" which often results in laughter and a more relaxed expression.
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Frequently asked questions
"Say cheese" is an English-language instruction used by photographers who want their subject or subjects to smile with their lips apart and teeth showing.
Saying particular words was seen to help subjects have a particular smile, with cheese being recorded in 1943 as a word that was said in English. As such, photographers would use the phrase "say cheese" to encourage subjects to state the word while the photographer snapped the photo.
In Germany, food-related words like "Spaghetti", "Käsekuchen" (cheesecake), or "Wurst" are used, mainly to make children laugh for the picture. In China, people say "Chie zi!", which means "eggplant". In Japan, people say "Sei, No...", which means "Ready, Set...".
You are meant to smile. The idea behind "say cheese" is to get your mouth into a position that resembles a smile. The ""ee" sound in "cheese" can cause you to widen your mouth, similar to a smile.
In the 19th century, most people were expected to use a neutral facial expression when being photographed. The expensive and time-consuming nature of early photography reinforced this behavior. In the 20th century, smiling became normal while being photographed as the availability of cameras made photography a more common occurrence.
