Closer #004

Welcome to Closer,

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. This is edition #004.

During a trip to London, back in 2022, I created an image with a well-defined foreground, middle, and background, where many elements come together to create one chaotic cityscape.

As always it goes: input image & prompt to describe → AI's description of that image → AI generated image → some of my first impressions. Prompts are in the grey callout boxes, the AI description is cursive.

LLM models used

GPT-4-turbo for image interpretation. DALL·E 3 for image generation.

The input

The output

This photograph, taken in daylight under partly cloudy skies, captures a lively urban scene in London, centered around a stepped concrete plaza or amphitheater-style seating area near the River Thames. The image is filled with a sense of summer relaxation, socializing, and urban vibrancy.

Foreground & Middle Ground

The lower half of the frame is dominated by the large, gray stone seating steps that rise gradually from the bottom of the image. These steps are broad and serve as informal seating rather than formal stairs. Scattered across them are many people of all ages and backgrounds—some sitting alone, others chatting in pairs or small groups. Many appear relaxed and casual, dressed in light summer clothing like shorts, skirts, T-shirts, and sunglasses. Some are eating, talking, or simply lounging in the sun. A few are looking at their phones, and one or two appear to be deep in conversation.

The next level up from the steps holds rows of white picnic tables beneath red Coca-Cola-branded umbrellas. These tables are more densely populated, and the crowd there is a bit more active—standing, walking, or queuing at a nearby vendor.

Background

Behind the seating area is a small, pastel-colored refreshment stand or kiosk. It’s decorated in soft blues and pinks with simple geometric patterns, and there’s a stylized smiley face on one side. The booth has an open window where a few people are being served. Flanking the kiosk are artificial palm trees, adding a playful, almost beachy vibe to the urban setting.

Towering behind this festive lower level is the dramatic skyline of London’s financial district. The cluster of high-rise buildings is immediately recognizable:

• To the left is the iconic Walkie-Talkie building (20 Fenchurch Street), known for its top-heavy, curved design.
• To the right of that, you can see the Leadenhall Building (aka “The Cheesegrater”) with its diagonal cuts and sharp lines.
• Cranes are scattered among the skyscrapers, suggesting ongoing construction and a city still expanding vertically.
• A more modern, glassy residential or office building curves horizontally in front of the towers, creating a layered architectural effect.

Sky

The top third of the image shows a partly cloudy sky with soft, puffy cumulus clouds scattered across a bright blue canvas. The lighting is even and bright, casting soft shadows but no harsh contrast, suggesting it was taken around midday or early afternoon.

Overall Mood & Composition

The photo juxtaposes urban structure with human leisure, blending hard concrete, steel, and glass with warm, social human presence. The layers—from the people on the steps, to the colorful kiosk, to the distant skyscrapers—create a sense of depth and liveliness. It’s a celebration of public space: casual, bustling, and distinctly summery.

In summary, this image portrays a relaxed summer day in a metropolitan setting—probably along London’s South Bank—with people enjoying the city while surrounded by iconic architecture and soft sunlight.