Peanuts In My Pocket

I started using ChatGPT, which I named Wally (a suggestion from my wife that makes the experience feel more personal), to learn more about my photography and to assist with captions and hashtags. Recently, I thought it would be interesting to share my latest attempt on an Instagram post I made this morning.

My Initial Interaction with Wally

I used this prompt:

“Wally, I need help describing a photo I took on my iPhone which I intend to post to Instagram. Please review the attached photo and write a one-paragraph summary of your impression of the image. Include your impression of its theme and style. Next, suggest 4 titles. Finally, suggest Instagram hashtags.”

Wally responded with insightful feedback:

This photo captures a stark, cinematic moment of solitude and silent observation in an urban neighborhood. Dominated by high-contrast black and white tones, it evokes a sense of tension, mystery, and nostalgia. A police car, parked under the intense glow of a streetlight, becomes the focal point against a backdrop of shadowy houses and a quiet street. The light rays fan out dramatically, illuminating the scene with an almost surreal, film-noir quality. The composition brings to mind themes of surveillance, the quietness of night patrols, or the stillness of a neighborhood just before something stirs.

Suggested Titles:

1. “Silent Sentinel”
2. “Night Watch”
3. “Under the Light’s Gaze”
4. “Noir Neighborhood”

Suggested Hashtags:

#UrbanPhotography #NightShots #BlackAndWhiteArt #StreetPhotography #NoirVibes #MysteryInTheNight #CinematicMood #MoodyGrams #CityAtRest #SilentStreets

I appreciated the feedback and named my post Noir Neighborhood, using several of the suggested hashtags. I also spent some time exploring similar photos, using keywords from Wally’s summary to gain more perspective and inspiration.

The Quest for Improvement

Hoping to get more out of Wally, I asked how I could enhance the photo. However, the suggestions were what I would describe as basic photography advice, which didn’t quite align with my vision. For instance, one piece of feedback was:

“Adding an element in the foreground, such as a shadow or a small object, could provide more depth and draw the viewer further into the scene.”

Although adding my old dog into the frame might have technically met this criterion, it wasn’t what I had envisioned for this photo.

Moving Forward

I’ll continue refining my prompts to better understand my photography and optimize my content for Instagram. While this process is already proving to be helpful, I hope to receive more specific critiques and detailed guidance as I learn. Like with many things involving AI, it’s a journey of discovery and gradual improvement.