Hawke Commercial Filmmaking

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.

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Virtual green screen shoot for WildBear Entertainment. It was filmed here in Somerville at Dead Moon Audio for a documentary being produced in Canberra, Australia.