99% Invisible Shirley Cards
Nov 10, 2021
Kai McNamee, a reporter known for addressing historical biases in photography, dives into the legacy of Kodak's Shirley Card. The conversation reveals how this reference photo, featuring only white models, affected the representation of darker skin tones. They explore the ongoing challenges in capturing diversity in photography and film, including lighting for dark skin and the importance of inclusive visual storytelling. McNamee also highlights the artistic advancements in shows like 'Insecure' and addresses the need to redefine imaging standards for better representation.
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School Picture Day
- Ibarrio Nix-Parello recalls school picture day where darker-skinned children's photos appeared much darker than in real life.
- Kids with lighter skin tones looked like themselves, causing negative reactions and highlighting photographic bias.
Camera Bias
- Cameras and photographic tools are not neutral technologies.
- They tend to prioritize lighter skin tones, creating a bias present since photography's beginning.
Shirley Cards
- Kodak printers used "Shirley Cards," featuring a white woman, to calibrate color.
- Despite including other women, all "Shirleys" remained white, setting printers for white skin.