04/15/2025
This is an interesting article, especially because AI headshots are so prevelent
Why Your AI Headshot Looks “Wrong” to You (But Right to Everyone Else)
https://zurl.co/icAKg
TLDR + some of my experiences:
Many people claim the headshots don't look like them, while others insist they do. The article talks about the psychological and technical reasons behind this disconnect.
Lens Distortion:
Selfies, taken with wide-angle lenses, can distort facial features, making them appear different than in reality.
Photographers use longer focal-length lenses to provide a more accurate representation of facial proportions. Usually, an 85mm-100mm. You can also distort a face the longer you get.
Lighting:
Poor lighting in selfies can create unflattering shadows and exaggerate imperfections.
We use soft, diffused lighting to enhance features and create a more balanced look. The direction and intensity of the light also affect the look.
The Mirror:
People are accustomed to seeing their mirrored image, while the people we meet see us the other way around.
Pretty straightforward but often forgotten!
Familiarity Bias:
People tend to prefer familiar versions of themselves, even if those versions are not the most accurate. Friends, family, or those close to the subject also see the small micro-expressions and changes in the person that strangers do not see.
In my experience, micro-expressions make a big difference in a portrait.
Subjectivity:
The perception of one's image is subjective and influenced by various psychological and technical factors. Strangers are more likely to see the AI image as a good representation of the person than the person themself or people who know them well.
As a photographer, it is important to listen to the subject about how they see themselves or want to see themselves.
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
