I don’t get AI Headshots. Maybe It’s Just Me
Do you use Ai headshots? I don’t understand them, especially in a time where they resemble the subject, but often leaves a viewer feeling ‘catfished’ when you actually meet the person. AI isn’t as yet able to make a perfect match of what you actually look like.
This is no condemnation of its users. I genuinely get it. You want/need a professional photo, and this is an affordable option that is available. That is fair.
We make this widespread statement that we need to present ourselves authentically. I agree.
I just question its validity in practice. Do we really believe that?
You see, what I don’t understand is that after saying that, many of us then use AI headshots in our professional profiles.
In the last few years, we have seen the mass condemnation of the use of Photoshop/retouching to modify a person’s look, to that of perfection. It was condemned for the same reason. People should be proud of their authentic selves, and should not modify their images to this perfect concept that isn’t them.
Isn’t AI doing that to an even higher degree? Slimmer bodies, or thicker bodies in the right places? Really beautiful skin, and those long legs you wished you had.
The most challenging part is often, when meeting professional contacts you have made on Linkedin or elsewhere on social media, the person behind the photo isnt… the person behind the photo. Maybe it’s their cousin, brother, or maybe an impersonator. Just not exactly them.
Maybe I’m seeing photos of people who aren’t using the ‘good stuff’.
Maybe you can get better photos with better, paid models out there. Maybe people just don’t want to pay anyone to land that high paid job.
Maybe.
Recently, I was using a series of photos of a friend as motivation for my own weight loss journey. It turns out the person is actually photographically reclusive, and publishing AI images. Go figure.
Pics look good though. Send my greetings to your cousin.
I just don’t get it.
Hear this photographer’s thoughts on the matter. tell me what you think in the comments.
AI to me is the same as those filters that are heavily used on social media. Who you see whrn it is off makes you wonder. I still believe that because of the catfishing, if someone goes missing and the filter and noe AI picture is used, they could be standing right in front of you and you say nope, don’t see them. It is troubling. Until the technology is made perfect, people need to use it with caution.
I’d like to think they’re useful in a pinch. Like if you need a photo with a white background. But ultimately it changes your features ever so slightly.