photography: an exploration of dark skin – new photobook, ‘dark girls”

A few years back, the documentary ‘Dark Girls’ aired on Oprah’s OWN network and became one of the network’s most highest rated shows. That documentary seeked to explore the deep-seated attitudes about skin color – particularly attitudes towards dark skinned women. Now filmmaker Bill Duke, one of the directors of the documentary, has decided to address the issue with a book; but rather than an essayic exploration of dark skin, he has chosen to create a stunning photobook of dark skinned women from all walks of life; lensed by photographer Barron Claiborne. With moving interviews by writer Sheila P. Moses, each woman is able to give their perspective on what their dark skin means to them. The book includes celebrities such as Lupita Nyong’o, Loretta Devine, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Judge Mablean Ephriam, and Brandi. Explore some of the images below, and the book is available HERE.

By Alexander Aplerku, AFROPUNK Contributor