Closer #023

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 #023. Prompts are in grey boxes. Descriptions are in italics.

Back in 2020 I did my first long(er) term photography project that wasn't a 365 project. It was my first attempt to discover a voice of my own. The project revolved around three 360 degrees panorama photos, that I mounted on the inside of steel frames. You could, quite literally, step into the picture. You can find out more on the dedicated project page.

For this week's entry, I want to highlight one of the companion images that were presented along the panoramas in a limited edition zine (also my first ever. I still have a few copies left, if you're interested.) It's an image I like looking at, because it represents a change in my journey. But also because it's such a quiet image, that rewards a longer look.

So I'm going to let AI butcher it this week, I guess.

LLM models used

GPT-5 Auto for image interpretation, and image generation.

The input

The output

The photo shows the view into a small backyard or garden space. In the foreground, on the right-hand side, there is an old wooden gate made of vertical planks. The wood is dark and heavily weathered, with peeling green paint that reveals raw, lighter wood beneath. A piece of blue string or rope is tied loosely to part of the gate.

To the left of the gate, a simple metal garden gate with a wire mesh is visible, its frame also showing signs of wear and rust. This gate opens onto a short paved path that runs through a patch of grass. The grass looks slightly dry, not lush green, and the paved path has moss and uneven patches between the stones.

The background is dominated by a low brick building, likely a shed or small outbuilding, with a roof of old clay tiles in different shades of brown and red. Some tiles are uneven, adding to the rustic, weathered feel. Against the brick wall are some decorative items:

• A small triangular red-and-white birdhouse mounted between the window and the downspout.
• A metal or stone ornament shaped like an eagle or another bird in flight.
• A butterfly-shaped wall decoration, possibly made of plaster or metal.
• A floral or sun-shaped decoration beneath it.

There’s a narrow, raised garden bed at the base of the wall, edged with short cut logs placed vertically. It holds lavender or a similar bushy plant.

In front of this wall, two identical green plastic patio chairs are placed side by side. They are simple garden chairs, slightly faded from outdoor exposure.

Above, the sky is partly visible — lightly clouded but bright, suggesting a calm afternoon. Behind the roofline, the tops of leafy green trees can be seen. A single black utility wire runs across the scene, stretching from the roof toward the upper right of the frame.

The overall atmosphere is homely, quiet, and a little nostalgic — the type of backyard that has aged gently, with objects and decorations accumulated over time, radiating an understated sense of stillness.