Closer #009
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Learning that it's the imperfections of our actions causing things to feel real is one of this week's biggest take-aways. And that's something I think we should ponder on for some time.
Closer #008
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Eight weeks in. Time to evaluate early results and recalibrate accordingly. What other directions should we take this experiment in?
Closer #007
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Not to ruffle someone's feathers but a little birdie told me to continue this newsletter until the pecking order between us, beautifully flawed and inherently creative humans, and AI, the ever logical mimicker of life, has been determined. Who comes out on top this week?
Closer #006
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By popular demand, ChatGPT gets pushed aside to give Midjourney its chance to shine. This is also the first time I'm using a self portrait as the base image. What do I look like according to AI?
Wandering with wonder
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Four cities, thousands of images, endless new impressions, one additional newsletter. April, 2025, was a rich, full month that allowed me to tap into my wanderlust as well as organize my thoughts a little.
Closer #005
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What happens when an image is described super accurately, to the point that you can picture the thing in your mind with ease? Does AI have the same skills?
Closer #004
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On the surface, things seem to be looking good. But look more closely, and you'll find that fiction is, thankfully, still stranger than reality.
Closer #003
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I purposely chose to share a relatively complex black and white image with ChatGPT for this week's entry. Lots of layers and many things going on in the frame. The black and white edit also provides the AI with less context. How does it perform?
Closer #002
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Although AI perfectly describes my input photograph, it somehow isn't able to reproduce an image that's the same as the original.
Closer #001
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A surprising start to this new experiment. Using one of my favorite portfolio images from 2023, ChatGPT both accurately describes as well as impressively generates an image based on my original work.
April 5th, 2025
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Writing Dialogue, my monthly newsletter about photography, exploration and other things, Closer, my weekly newsletter exploring photography in the age
Subscribe to my new weekly newsletter: Closer
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Closer is a weekly newsletter where I take one of my photos, ask AI to describe it, then see what kind of image it can generate from its own description—an ongoing experiment in the capabilities of AI, and what that means for humans.
A weekend in Antwerp
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Surely a city with many flaws, but none that I personally witnessed and/or impacted me during this trip. This city treated me well.
How to pack light for a weekend
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Packing for a weekend trip? Less is more. In just two days, you won’t need half the things you think you do. This guide breaks down how to travel light, choose the right bag, and pack only the essentials—so you can move freely and focus on the experience, not your luggage.
Minimalist travel made easy: how I overcame overpacking and found freedom
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I ditched overpacking for minimalist travel. Discover how I learned to pack light and travel freely, and find the tips that helped me simplify my journeys.
Could a simple tap help ease anxiety? This app idea says yes
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I haven't made an app. I'm pitching the idea of an app. One that doesn't exist currently (to my knowledge) but could exist. Using the iPhone's Back Tap functionality to alleviate and 'track' anxiety
Capturing a writing camp: my friends make music, I take photos
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The second edition of my Doe Gewoon writing camp photo essays. Is this going to be a series?
Huisdierfotografie
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Vang de ziel van je huisdier (met een persoonlijke twist). Ze vormen een klein deel van ons leven, maar voor hen zijn wij alles. Dat is het vastleggen waard.