Headshot AI
I am always thrilled whenever at a water conference someone I’ve never met before tells me that they love my LinkedIn newsletter To Know Water Is To Love Water or they appreciate what Adam Tank and I are doing telling water’s story through our podcast Water We Talking About.?
In the past year at each event at least one person who has only seen my virtual self has said to me “I didn’t realize you were so ah, ah, ah…tall.”
I know what they really meant to say was “old”.
I take it as a real compliment that my voice resonates with younger water professionals, but it made me think that maybe it was time to update my ten year old profile photo.
So before I scheduled an appointment with a professional photographer, I decided to give artificial intelligence a shot at my headshot. So I searched around on the internet for various options and settled on a $29.00 package.
I am sure for the best results you should provide photos of your most recent self, but I wanted this headshot to be my most authentic self. So I uploaded photos throughout my life…as a Cub Scout, basketball player, temporary drug enforcement agent, bridegroom, football fan, CEO.
Some of the AI photos gave me movie star looks, others made me look completely jacked. All gave me more hair and less lbs. than I deserve.
So here is one of the forty choices AI provided that my family and friends think looks most like me…
In the end though I’m going with the headshot that professional photographer Kathy Kellebrew took in her Napa studio…
After all, if I am going to pride myself as a writer with an authentic voice, I need an authentic headshot.
President, Ag Water Chemical
1 年Whether it be in our personal or profeasional life Jim, my pick is always the authentic self my friend.??
Great photo (the professional one)!
Engineer, Marketer, & Investor | Transforming Water Tech Companies with Sustainable Strategies
1 年I asked 3 different AI tools today to take my original photo and create me speaking in front of a cheering audience. The "best" you can see here. After that, I am happy that my design team is human.
Senior Contributing Editor
1 年Jim, you are most definitely the Real Thing??
Professional Standards Manager
1 年Been a few years since I employed a photographer for headshot purposes & understand the dilemma. that said, one aspect which shines through in the shot you chose is authenticity. Whether that's because the AI version underrates light around your eyes or simply breaking up the colour with a shirt is hard to define but the human touch endures.