I’m a photography expert – here’s how to spot if someone is pulling a fake smile in pics
PHOTOGRAPHY experts have revealed how to spot if someone is pulling a fake smile in pictures.
The camera professionals have uncovered five features which they claim automatically reveal if someone is forcing a smile.
Spotting a fake smile has long been studied – when in 1862 the French neurologist, Guillaume Duchenne, found how real and fake smiles use different muscles.
Real smiles are all to do with the eyes – they will squint or even fully close, and fine lines around our eyes (called Crow’s feet) will show.
But a forced smile is revealed when the cheek muscles are being used; showing bottom teeth and a rigid body language are also features of a fake grin.
Matt Dahan from ParrotPrint.com said: “There are several ways you can tell if someone is faking a smile – look out for their bottom teeth showing, tight body language and most tellingly, no eye muscles being used.
“Sometimes it can be hard to tell if someone is enjoying themselves, but these five features should make it a lot easier to read one’s emotions.
“I think the most obvious sign is to look in someone’s eyes – if they are looking ‘dead behind the eyes’ it can be quite telling they are forcing a smile.
“A genuine grin will include features of squinting or closed eyes and fine lines surrounding the eyes will be showing too.
“With lots of photos being taken over Christmastime and over New Year celebrations, you can now look out for any fake smiles amongst your group photos!”
Cheeks vs eyes
Research has shown that with a real smile our muscles around the eyes will contract, but fake smiles use muscles in the cheek.
If someone has creases in their cheeks rather than their eyes, it can be a telling sign that they are forcing a smile.
Teeth
A forced smile will usually be indicated if someone’s bottom teeth are showing. When someone is truly happy and smiling, usually only their top row of teeth will show. Some people will judge a smile with no teeth showing to be fake, but be mindful as this can be a genuine smile too.
Squinting eyes
When someone has a massive grin on their face, their eyes will naturally squint or even fully close.
This is where the phrase ‘smiling behind the eyes’ comes from – but if someone looks dead behind the eyes, this is a sign of a fake smile.
Crow’s feet
Lot’s of us see wrinkles and fine lines as a bad thing, but in fact lines at the corners of someone’s eyes (also known as Crow’s feet) is a sign that they have spent a lot of time with a genuine smile on their face.
If Crow’s feet aren’t showing, this is an indicator of a fake smile.
Body language
Body language can be a great way to see if someone is faking a smile.
Often if the smile is not genuine then the person will be uncomfortable in the situation, and their body language may appear to be stiff.
Genuine smiles happen when someone is fully comfortable and relaxed, as opposed to being tense and closed off.