Closer #008

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 #008.

I point my camera at the bedroom window of our Airbnb in Willemstad's neighborhood Otrobanda on Curaçao. It's January 2020. What seems like a fun memory for my personal yearbook then, will in five years time become part of an ongoing battle against a possibly new dominant world power.

The order in which we operate: human experience → photograph → AI description → synthetic image. Prompts are in the grey callout boxes, the AI description is cursive.

LLM models used

GPT-4o for image interpretation and image generation.

The input

The output

The image shows a minimalistic and serene indoor scene, centered around a small rectangular window that opens out to a lush, green view. Here's a detailed breakdown of everything in the image:

Window and View Outside

• Shape and Structure: The window is a narrow vertical rectangle with sharp edges and a white interior frame. Its walls appear thick, suggesting a solid structure.
• Lighting: Daylight pours in through the window, casting soft shadows and a partial leaf-pattern silhouette onto the white window reveal, creating a warm, natural ambiance.
• View: Outside the window, you see vibrant green foliage, most likely from a tropical or subtropical tree. The leaves are feathery and fern-like, possibly from a mimosa or acacia tree. The sunlight filtering through the leaves creates a natural pattern of light and shadow.
• Sky: There's a hint of a clear blue sky visible through the top part of the window, reinforcing the sense of a sunny, pleasant day.

Interior Elements

• Wall Color: The interior wall around the window is a deep, matte forest green or charcoal color, giving a cozy and moody feel to the room.
• Books: To the right of the window, there's a stack of books placed on top of what appears to be a black metal mesh shelf or grid. The books are stacked horizontally, with the spines facing outward.
  • Some visible titles and authors include:
    • “SLAUGHTER” by an indistinct author.
    • “TENE M…” (possibly an abbreviation or cut-off title by author M.J. Arlidge).
    • Others are not fully legible but seem to be novels or literary works.
  • The books vary in color and thickness, with spines in shades of black, white, tan, and brown, contributing to a relaxed, intellectual atmosphere.

General Vibe and Aesthetic

• The overall mood is calm and contemplative—ideal for reading, writing, or simply daydreaming.
• The mix of natural elements (foliage, sunlight) and thoughtful interior design (dark walls, books) evokes a sense of quiet retreat or creative solitude.

This is an image that feels like it could belong in a well-curated travel magazine, interior design blog, or an art book focused on peaceful living spaces.