Closer #014

Welcome to Closer,

A weekly experiment in AI interpretation: I share a photo, ask AI to describe it, then generate an image from that description. This is edition #014. Prompts are in grey boxes. Descriptions are in italics.

New experiment! We're asking ChatGPT how to best prompt ChatGPT for accurate image descriptions. The AI asked if it was for Closer, I told Chat (I can call it Chat, we're so familiar now. Wouldn't necessarily say we're friends. I'm joking, but it did know about my project y'know) it was and asked for some examples. I'll share my conversation at the bottom of this newsletter for transparency.

It gave me six different Prompt Styles to chose from. We're trying them all over the upcoming weeks. And while writing this, I realize we should be doing that with the same input image to make the comparison accurate. I'll use one of my favorite images from my portfolio. Leggooooo.

The input with Prompt Style: Detailed, Observational

GPT-4o for prompt engineering, image interpretation, and image generation.

The input

Purpose: Create a grounded visual starting point.

The output

This photograph captures a tranquil and joyful scene in shallow turquoise ocean water, likely near a coastal area in the United States, as suggested by the American flag prominently flying from a boat in the background.

Setting:
The scene takes place in calm, crystal-clear blue water that gently reflects the sky above. The water is waist-deep or slightly shallower, with a soft ripple pattern that suggests a still and peaceful environment, likely in a warm-weather locale. The horizon stretches flat and uninterrupted across the image, emphasizing the openness and serenity of the ocean. The sky is pale blue with soft, scattered clouds, and the light suggests either early morning or late afternoon, with a diffused and flattering quality that eliminates harsh shadows.

Light:
The lighting is soft and natural, likely golden hour or slightly past it, giving the scene a dreamy and relaxed atmosphere. The highlights on the water and subjects are gentle, lending a warm, inviting feel without overexposure. There is no direct sunlight visible, which contributes to the evenness and softness in the tones throughout the image.

Subjects:
In the foreground, a man is partially submerged in water, chest-deep, wearing a white visor, black sunglasses, and a bright blue rash guard or swim shirt sleeve that reads “WOW.” He is smiling broadly and appears completely at ease, holding one of two Labrador Retrievers. The dog in his arms rests comfortably against him with its eyes closed, seemingly relaxed or dozing. Another Labrador swims just beside them, more alert and facing forward, water dripping from its muzzle. Both dogs are light-colored (yellow labs or similar breeds), and their wet fur clings to their bodies, showing texture and form.

Background and Composition:
Behind the trio floats a sleek white motorboat, anchored or stationary. The boat is equipped with two Suzuki outboard motors, and a mounted flagpole displays a large, windblown American flag, adding a clear national reference. The boat’s clean lines and well-maintained appearance suggest it’s a modern recreational vessel. The composition draws the viewer's eye in layers — from the intimate, joyful interaction in the foreground, to the moored boat in the midground, and finally to the soft sky and open ocean in the distance. The subjects are framed in the lower right quadrant, using the rule of thirds to create a balanced and dynamic image.

Mood:
The mood is calm, joyful, and deeply content — a moment of companionship and simplicity shared between human and dogs in a beautiful natural setting. It evokes feelings of freedom, trust, and peace, with a subtle patriotic undertone through the inclusion of the American flag.

This is a photograph that tells a story through its serene atmosphere and the visible bond between man and animal.