bearcat

http://www.howtogeek.com/trivia/photo-lab-printers-are-calibrated-using-a-tool-known-as-a/?answer=1

Photo Lab Printers Are Calibrated Using A Tool Known As A?
Colotron
Panatomic
Spectrospiff
Shirley Card


Answer: Shirley Card

Although photo development technology advanced significantly over the course of the 20th century, no amount of automation every proved to be a perfect replacement for the human eye and the viewer’s acknowledgement that a photo looked balanced and pleasing.

In the 1950s when the Kodak film monopoly was broken up and independent photo labs sprung up across the U.S., Kodak came up with a novel way to help all these independent labs calibrate their equipment properly: Shirley cards. The cards were actually photo negatives that were developed on the local lab equipment to test color density, tone, and contrast. The original Kodak model was named Shirley and the name stuck: for the ensuing decades the test negatives and the resulting 4×6 photos were known was “Shirley cards” regardless of whether or not Shirley appeared on them.

Although the development process is largely entirely digital at this point (and most photographers no longer even use film), Shirley (and her photographic descendants) can still be found in photo lab calibration software today.

Image courtesy of Kodak.

davefales Loc: Virginia

Wonder what kind of (great?)grandmother Shirley is these days. Quite attractive.

Thanks for the education.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Shirley you jest!! :lol:
SS

LKincaid Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

I actually heard about the Shirley Cards on NPR driving to work a few weeks ago. Really interesting story behind them.

agilmore Loc: Baltimore

You're jest being funny.

twindad Loc: SW Michigan, frolicking in the snow.

A hospital? It's a big building full of sick people. And don't call me Shirley.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Yes, you did, LKincaid, but did not share info beyond minimal!!
"For many years, this "Shirley" card — named for the original model, who was an employee of Kodak — was used by photo labs to calibrate skin tones, shadows and light during the printing process."
http://www.npr.org/2014/11/13/363517842/for-decades-kodak-s-shirley-cards-set-photography-s-skin-tone-standard

Our WASP world has become far more complicated and so if you Google Skin Color Chart you will be immersed in a lot of charts. Pick one or more charts, copy and print then match the color to the subjects skin and duplicate that color when PP your photos. The color chart group opens pages from make up to genetics.. a real education... and does the mothers eating habits affect the child's skin color? Hummm read on.... The link actually works... some require in https not http

www.quora.com%252FHow-is-skin-color-determined-in-babies%3B391%3B425" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.google.com/search?q=SKIN+COLOR+CHART&client=firefox-a&hs=Cga&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=WPGCVJWUKYqdgwTt_IDYDA&ved=0CDwQsAQ&biw=1288&bih=673#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=_4UaC4dMzAOvwM%253A%3BFCIMbQjIgSaQoM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fqph.is.quoracdn.net%252Fmain-qimg-918dfaf31f950477d62ffcc5f2b6ce5c%253Fconvert_to_webp%253Dtrue%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.quora.com%252FHow-is-skin-color-determined-in-babies%3B391%3B425

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That was my first thought. It's like remembering a beautiful young actress and finding out that she's 95.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thanks for this. Very interesting.

It reminds me of the line(s) from the leslie Nielsen comedies, "... and don't call me Shirley."

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

More -

http://www.google.com/search?q=shirley+cards&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=K_yCVN3dN7f7sAS1noD4Cg&ved=0CB8QsAQ&biw=1680&bih=935

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_chart

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Wow! There are so many colors here that you have to wonder what's the point of having a chart. It seems that the right chart you pick is what will determine the accuracy of your colors.

Although it might seem like progress against racism having so many darker choices, isn't it enough to get the red and white and blue correct? Wouldn't that take care of any skin tone?

Hunakai

And don't forget the corresponding "Shirley" negative that went along with the card. They were regularly replaced in sets due to fading.
I can remember printing one every morning for years to be sure the instruments of printing were in proper color balance.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

A Shirley is the sensible counterpart to a Lavern.

(Lavern and Shirley)
http://youtu.be/mRmKzxhMzwo

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

I especially liked the chart having the effect of hemoglobin (red) as well as the melanin (brown) content. Put a grid on that and you can note the color of the subject being photographed and reproduce in post.

And Jerry, think what a come-on line this is. He "I have been looking for a perfect 6L for a long time" She "6L?" He,"Yes, your skin tone is so beautiful would you model for me, look at this chart, you are a 6L... so rare!"

I see by your avatar you are high on the red chart.. dilatation of capillaries via BP meds? ... see how useful the charts are. OK to take that comment with a grain of salt (1 grain = 65 mg) that is not much ... will not raise the BP.

gonate Loc: sacramento,calif

When you put your card in the camera , you say SHIRLEY it will work.