Google has announced that it is taking additional steps to improve the representation of various skin tones across its products and has implemented a new scale that better shows the spectrum of real-world skin color.
A viral photo posted by NFL player Prince Amukamara highlights a well-documented problem with photography: cameras have historically been particularly bad at correctly metering for darker skin tones. In this case, Amukamara nearly completely disappears from a group photo.
Google has announced that it is trying to build a camera system that, through software, is more inclusive. By working with a diverse group of imaging and industry experts, the company hopes to make its cameras better at rendering a wider range of skin tones.
In the history of photography, the equipment and processes in portraiture were often calibrated with lighter skin in mind. Buzzfeed's As/Is made this video in which it did a photo shoot with dark skin models and had them share about times in which their skin tone was poorly reflected on camera.
Here's a 2-minute video that offers a look at how the HBO series 'Insecure' makes its black actors look so good on camera. What is it that makes everyone "pop" so much on screen?