3 Ways For AI to Astound You as a New Year’s Reflection on Your Work as Travel Photographer

When it comes to photography, there is a ton of great content out there to learn this beautiful craft

To be honest, the technical aspects of photography?—?the ones that garner the majority of views and attention on platforms like YouTube?—?do not particularly pique my interest. People simply want to get better at what they do, and that is totally understandable.

In any case, the “why” has always piqued my curiosity the most.

There is a spiritual side to photography?—?an almost therapeutic approach to finding yourself out there in nature, somewhere on planet Earth.

I like to think of photography as a spiritual path to “enlightenment.”

Ironically, when I just wrote this very sentence, I discovered another parallel to traditional mindfulness practices.

I talk about this extensively in my book, the spiritual Lens: Photography as meditation

Did you just notice the double meaning of enlightenment ?

As photographers, we are constantly chasing light; we are light hunters, so to speak. Without proper lighting, there can´t be any photograph

Chasing light for enlightenment.

I love that.

Here is the thing: In life, the “why” is much more important than the “how,” and when I mean why, I am not only talking about why you chose to become a photographer.

I also mean each unique piece you have created. I am sure some of your best work has created some awe-inspiring moments.

Ideally, they made you “feel” something; maybe you remembered the place or the people you were with.

Or maybe you didn’t overthink.

In any case, retrospection can be powerful and looking at your best photos once again and letting them tell you a story seems like a great idea for new-year reflection.

Well, I did that with three of my favorite photos. I asked ChatGPT to write an interpretation by looking at them from a philosophical perspective and using the knowledge base of my ebook photography as meditation.

I was blown away.

Solitary Vigil: Reflections at Dusk

In the gentle lap of the sea,
A lone tree stands, steadfast, free.
Roots submerged in life’s vast flow,
Underneath a sunset’s amber glow.

It whispers tales of quiet strength,
Of standing tall, come breadth or length.
A testament to the solo fight,
Against the tides, in waning light.

Its leaves rustle with the breeze.
Songs of resilience are among the seas.
A beacon for those who drift alone,
In its stance, it has a silent tone.

As days and years pass, the currents sway.
Yet, here it stands, come what may.
A symbol of enduring grace,
Amidst life’s ever-changing pace,.

The solitaire tree in this twilight scene
Mirrors our souls, in times serene.
In solitude, we find our might,
Like the tree, we reach for light.

And as the year renews its days,
Let’s mirror the tree in myriad ways.
Stand firm in love, hope, and dreams,
No matter how impossible it seems.

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The tree, isolated in the water, serves as a powerful emblem of individuality and perseverance. It is a visual representation of the philosophical notion that true strength is not always found in numbers or noise, but often in the quiet, steady presence of one who stands alone amidst the changing tides. Like the tree, we are each rooted in our own experiences, submerged in the vastness of life’s challenges and beauty.

As the New Year dawns, this image invites us to reflect on our own resilience. It encourages us to stand resilient against the ebb and flow of life’s uncertain waters, to remain resolute in our beliefs and hopes even as the world around us shifts. The tree’s survival and grace in isolation is a call for us to find inner peace and stability within ourselves, to draw strength from our solitude, and to grow and thrive in the face of adversity.

As we reflect upon this image and carry its lessons with us into the New Year, may we aspire to embody the same quiet strength and grace as the solitary tree against the setting sun.

Meanders of Life: The Mangrove’s Tale

In the cradle of Earth’s tender reach,
Rivers curve through mangrove’s teach.
A labyrinth of life, roots entwined,
Nature’s art, majestically designed.

Water wends in serpentine grace,
Mirroring life’s own winding pace.
A journey through the emerald maze,
A spectacle to observe and praise.

Here, the trees and water speak,
Of balance, give and take, to seek.
A silent pact between land and tide,
In this haven, where peace abides.

Each leaf, a story; every flow, a tale,
Of resilience, survival, beyond the pale.
In the dance of shadows and sun,
Life’s tapestry is artfully spun.

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The mangrove forest, with its tangled roots and the river that threads through it, stands as a metaphor for the complexity and resilience of life. Mangroves are known for their role in protecting the coastline, hosting a myriad of species, and maintaining the health of our planet’s ecosystems. Similarly, the river’s journey is never a straight path?—?it twists and turns, adapts and overcomes obstacles, much like our personal journeys through life.

This image can be seen as a reflection of how individual lives are interconnected, much like the roots of the mangroves. Our actions ripple through the river of time, affecting the environment and those around us. The river, with its perpetual flow, reminds us of the constant state of change and progression, encouraging us to embrace the ebbs and flows of our existence.

In the grand scheme, the mingling of the mangrove’s roots and the river’s currents serve as a reminder of the intricate and interdependent nature of all things. It challenges us to recognize the importance of each element in the web of life, and the strength that comes from adapting and working in harmony with the forces around us.

As we look to the future, let the river’s path inspire us to navigate life’s challenges with grace, and let the steadfastness of the mangroves remind us of our capacity to endure and thrive in the face of adversity.

Urban Reflections: The City’s Quiet Hour

Beneath the twilight’s dusky veil,
The city breathes, alive, yet pale.
In Benjakitti’s glassy face,
The skyline finds its resting place.

Skyscrapers, giants in repose,
Their windows twinkling, soft, close.
A silent symphony of light,
That pierces through the creeping night.

The park, a sanctuary still,
Reflects the world with silent thrill.
An echo of the day’s loud roar,
Now hushed, a painting, nothing more.

Water’s surface, smooth as time,
Holds the city’s nighttime rhyme.
In this moment, pause and see,
The urban pulse, calm and free.

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This image of Benjakitti Park at rest, cradling the city’s image, speaks volumes about the pace of modern life and the sanctuaries we seek within it. The reflection is a duality that captures the essence of our existence?—?there is the vibrant life above and the contemplative depth below. Just as the park’s waters hold the city’s luminous counterpart, so do our inner selves hold reflections of our outer lives.

The stillness of the water juxtaposed with the city’s architecture is a reminder that in the heart of chaos, there can be pockets of peace. It challenges us to find balance between progress and tranquility, between the rapid tempo of daily life and the quiet moments of introspection.

In the reflection, there is also an implication of impermanence?—?the mirrored city will ripple and change with the wind, just as our lives and cities are ever-evolving. It invites us to consider the fleeting nature of our creations and experiences, encouraging us to embrace the present and to find beauty in the ephemeral nature of all things.

As the park mirrors the vibrant life of the city, may we also find moments to reflect on our place within the vast human tapestry, to appreciate the beauty of now, and to seek harmony within the complex landscapes of our lives.

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All of this led me to go on a different path.

I call it The Uncharted Road Newsletter For Unapologetic Single Men Who Want True Freedom and Walk Away

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