The Science of Melanin & Colour
Vibrant Aso-Ebi & Rich Skin Tones
Mastering the technical balance between high-saturation fabrics and deep, glowing complexions.
Nigerian weddings are a masterclass in colour. From the electric blues of Aso-Ebi to the deep crimsons of Sego Gele, the challenge for a photographer is simple yet profound: How do you keep the fabric vibrant without over-exposing the skin?
The ‘Luster’ Over ‘Light’ Rule
Deep skin tones are most beautiful when they catch specular highlights (glow) rather than flat light. We avoid direct flash, which can create a “grey” or “ashy” cast on darker complexions.
Pro Tip:
“Expose for the highlights of the skin, not the shadows of the fabric. You can always recover fabric detail in post-production, but you cannot fix ‘muddy’ skin.”
Technical Masterclass: Three Steps to Brilliance
CCT (Correlated Colour Temperature) Management: We use warm-gelled flashes to mimic the natural golden undertones of Nigerian skin, preventing the “washed out” look common with standard white flash.
HSL Manipulation: In our bespoke editing process, we specifically isolate the luminance of the ‘Orange’ and ‘Red’ channels to ensure the skin glows while retaining the deep ‘Emerald’ or ‘Magenta’ of the Aso-Ebi.
Soft-Box Diffusion: By using larger light modifiers, we wrap the light around the subject, reducing the harsh contrast between the bright fabric and the rich skin tones.
Leave a reply