A friend sent me five photos copied from our high school yearbook from the early 1970s. I noticed that in every photo, the subject’s head is turned about 45 degrees to one side or the other, and the subject appears to be gazing far off in the distance. No one is making eye contact with the photographer, and no one is smiling. (From the facial expressions it looks like we were just told we’d have to spend another two years in high school). I was wondering if that was the accepted/required style of the time, why that was the style at that time, and how yearbook photography has evolved over the several centuries since we graduated. I did several google searches with no luck. Maybe there are a few on this forum who can provide some insights?
It was the 70's. My 79-82 yearbooks all have photos of students looking into the camera. I do remember seeing portraits displayed at JC Penny (remember when they had "studios?") with that far off expression, usually off camera left. Don't miss that look.
