I Organized a Photoshoot with ChatGPT, but It Went Awry

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When I found myself in need of inspiration, I turned to ChatGPT to help me map out a photoshoot plan. Normally, I’d feel stressed about figuring out the creative details, but this time, I decided to delegate that task to AI.

Designing My Photoshoot with ChatGPT

I asked ChatGPT to assist me in planning a photoshoot in my city, specifically wanting advice tailored to the current outdoor conditions and this winter season. In the past, whenever I’ve requested winter-themed suggestions from ChatGPT, the weather details were often off base.

Here’s the prompt I shared with it:

Could you help me plan a winter smartphone photoshoot in Copenhagen? The temperature is cool and there’s no snow, just overcast skies. I’d love to take street and architectural photos.

This is the plan ChatGPT generated for me:

1. Nyhavn (8:00 – 8:30 AM)

Why? The soft morning light paired with fewer crowds can create cleaner compositions.
Shots to capture:
- Take pictures of the colorful buildings reflected in the calm waters of the canal.
- Incorporate leading lines from the dock or the canal’s edge.
- Experiment with low-angle shots that highlight the buildings against the gray sky.
Tip: Look for puddles on the wooden dock for great reflection shots.

2. Christianshavn & Canals (8:45 – 9:15 AM)

Why? The area’s historic maritime aesthetic looks stunning in overcast conditions.
Shots to capture:
- Focus on narrow streets adorned with pastel houses and cobbled paths.
- Capture reflections of boats in the still water.
- Isolate frosty textures on wooden boats or bridges in close-ups.
Tip: Utilize portrait mode for depth in your shots of the bridges and canals.

3. The Marble Church (Frederik’s Church) & Amalienborg (9:30 – 10:00 AM)

Why? The dome stands out beautifully against the moody sky.
Shots to capture:
- Compose a symmetrical shot down the street leading to the church.
- Focus on close-up architectural details of the dome.
- Take a wide-angle shot of Amalienborg Square featuring the statue of King Frederik V.
Tip: If it’s foggy, use that to your advantage—blurry backgrounds can add a dramatic touch.

4. The Royal Library – Black Diamond (10:15 – 10:45 AM)

Why? The library’s glass façade offers striking reflections.
Shots to capture:
- Look for reflections of historic buildings on the Black Diamond’s surface.
- Contrast between the modern library and its older surroundings.
- If you go inside, capture the expansive glass atrium.
Tip: Use HDR mode on your phone to manage highlights and shadows effectively.

5. Kastellet & The Little Mermaid (11:00 – 11:30 AM)

Why? The fortress‘ architecture provides symmetry and sleek lines.
Shots to capture:
- Frame the red barracks of Kastellet against a misty sky.
- Feature the windmill with frosty grass in the foreground.
- Photograph the Little Mermaid from the side with the water in the background (bonus: less tourist traffic in winter).
Tip: Use blurred reeds or other foreground elements to add depth when framing the Little Mermaid.

I specifically asked ChatGPT to focus on just one area of my city. Earlier versions of this prompt would have required a trek across various locations, but I wanted to keep it all compact.

How Did the Photoshoot Go?

Although ChatGPT provided specific time recommendations, I opted to remain flexible to avoid feeling rushed. I started off at the colorful Nyhavn canal. To achieve a lower perspective, I crouched down to incorporate my side of the shore in the frame. Following ChatGPT’s advice, I included reflections from the canal, capturing both the buildings and the overcast sky.

Danny Maiorca/MakeUseOf

I chose to skip ChatGPT’s suggestion for the next canal photo because I felt it would be too similar to my first shot. Instead, I focused on the unique facades of the buildings, emphasizing color contrasts and searching for intriguing patterns and textures.

Building Facades With a Light — Danny Maiorca/MakeUseOf

At my third location, I originally planned to follow ChatGPT’s suggestion and photograph the church and palace. However, I happened to arrive just as soldiers were marching by, which provided a much more dynamic opportunity, so I took a photo of them instead.

Palace Square and Soldiers on a Rainy Day — Danny Maiorca/MakeUseOf

For my fourth location, I had a different plan. While ChatGPT suggested focusing on the library’s interesting architecture, I aimed for a unique angle by incorporating part of the staircase into my framing. In hindsight, I wish I had followed ChatGPT’s advice here, as I wasn’t completely satisfied with the resulting image.

The interior of a library — Danny Maiorca/MakeUseOf

Even though ChatGPT suggested visiting the Little Mermaid, I decided to forgo that iconic landmark. I think it’s less interesting in winter. However, I felt that the Kastellet fortress was a perfect winter backdrop, featuring those striking red houses I wanted to photograph. Following ChatGPT’s advice, I captured the barracks with the sky behind them and was pleased with the results.

Barracks and Red Houses in a Fortress Area — Danny Maiorca/MakeUseOf

Instead of using third-party apps for editing, as suggested by the chatbot, I was content with the features available in my iPhone’s Photos app. I primarily used filters and made minor adjustments to exposure and saturation.

ChatGPT Additional Tips Offered for Photoshoot — Danny Maiorca/MakeUseOf

What I Enjoyed

While my photoshoot with ChatGPT was relatively straightforward, I appreciated several aspects of its guidance. Here are some highlights:

1. Considering Different Times of Day

The lighting can drastically change throughout the day, so I valued how ChatGPT acknowledged this in its timing recommendations for each location. It also factored in sunrise times for the season, which helped me adapt smoothly. Ignoring lighting is one of the common missteps in urban photography that I wanted to avoid.

2. Recommendations for Editing and Composition

As someone who enjoys adjusting my photos to fit my aesthetic, I appreciated that ChatGPT suggested editing techniques even without me asking. It recommended apps to consider and provided useful phone settings. For instance, it advised using Portrait Mode for certain shots and activating the grid feature on my camera for improved composition.

What I’d Change for Future Photoshoots

Though ChatGPT offered solid guidance, I sensed my photoshoot could have deeper substance. Should I utilize the app for another shoot, I’d refine my prompts for enhanced clarity and specificity.

1. Requesting Model-Specific Tips

I used an iPhone 13 for this shoot, which is decent but not as advanced as newer models. Instead of simply letting it know I’d be using a smartphone, I should have been more explicit about my phone model.

Similarly, I found the suggestion to shoot in RAW to be pointless for me since my phone doesn’t support that option.

2. Seeking More Current Information

Many AI tools, including ChatGPT, can fall into the trap of supplying outdated information—something I don’t believe AI will completely replace traditional search engines for. This photoshoot was a prime example.

ChatGPT directed me to photograph a historic building in the city, completely unaware that it had been devastated by a fire in 2024. That was widely reported, so I was surprised it overlooked this fact.

While ChatGPT holds promise for planning photoshoots, it’s not without its pitfalls. I found myself navigating outdated information and wish I’d asked for tips specific to my smartphone. Nevertheless, the guidance provided sparked my creativity, and even though I disregarded many suggestions, the outcome typically surpassed what I would have achieved without any direction.