MEET JULIUS F GARRIDO, professional photographer, visual AI aficionado and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu enthusiast in Denver, Colorado.
Hi Julius. Photography is a very personal, often emotional art form, as I’ve also seen in many of your pictures. In that context … What does Artificial Intelligence, AI, mean to you?
”Yes, it’s personal and it’s art, but it’s also a business, and AI is an essential part of my work flow. I use it in my post production to enhance image quality and streamline editing processes. Sometimes, depending on the job at hand, I also use it to achieve creative effects, for quick removal of backgrounds, noise reduction, and so forth.”
”In recent years AI has done positive things, both for my business and to reach my artistic and creative goals. It has positively impacted my business handling mundane tasks like detailed editing. Saving a lot of time and allowing me to focus more on the creative and business aspects of the work.”
Tell me something about your images and your clients … what kind of pictures do you do?
My main focus is on events, weddings and family photography. Creative portraiture is a passion of mine. And street photography! I always bring my camera when I travel.
So … where do you think AI will go from here? What would be the next level in your line of work?
”Personally, I am looking forward to new AI developments in real-time enhancement … like changing the lighting or experimenting with alternative backdrops when you’re taking the pictures. That would not only save a lot of time but also give more room for creativity. I would be very excited about that.”
I’ve got to ask … What’s that thing about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? You’re not from Brazil …
”No, no … born and bred in the Philippines, I came to the US seven years ago. Brazilian is a special form of Jiu Jitsu focusing on leverage, weight distribution, and ground fighting. It is often a favorite for people of limited stature.
”I first enrolled in a Jiu Jitsu class in the Philippines many years ago, but made a break after an injury. Now I’m spending a big part of my leisure time at the nearest BJJ gym, Gracie Barra Denver.
”Like with photography it calls for a lot of patience … which I’m honestly trying to work on. And, also like photography, the difference between failure and success is in the super-small details.”
Rolf Andersson
Phyron Writer and Editor
Julius Garrido, Studio MOD Photography, Denver
