Inspiration

I’ve long dreamed of selling everything (except my Mac and digital camera gear) and embracing a digital nomad lifestyle.

I found the image below on Susan T. Braithwaite’s website. Here’s what inspired Susan to create this image.

As with many writers, the thought of being able to write without the constant distractions of everyday life is something I dream about. Being able to completely immerse myself in my world of romantic suspense, free from mundane responsibilities…

The fantasy of a wee campervan transformed into a roving office also flits through my mind. Imagine jumping in the van and heading off to inspiring locales, penning stories against the backdrop of nature or bustling cityscapes.

Image generated by DALL-E
Image generated by DALL-E

I uploaded it to ChatGPT and asked for a description. ChatGPT responded:

This photograph depicts a serene scene with a vintage camper van parked in a woodland area during what appears to be a sunset. The van's side door is open, revealing a cosy interior with bookshelves, a small desk, and a chair, resembling a compact mobile office or study. Outside the van, there is a typewriter on a small table and books scattered around, suggesting a creative or scholarly pursuit amidst nature. A lantern hangs on the van's side mirror, and another is placed on the ground, enhancing the warm, ambient glow of the scene. The path and the trees are bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, adding to the tranquil and inviting atmosphere of the setting.

I then asked ChatGPT to use the description it had just provided to create a DALL-E prompt to create a new image. Here is the detailed prompt used for the DALL-E generation:

A vintage camper van is parked in a peaceful woodland area during sunset. The side door of the van is open, revealing an interior setup with bookshelves, a small desk, and a chair, creating an impression of a cosy mobile study space. Outside, a typewriter rests on a small table with books around it, suggesting a space for writing and reading amidst nature. A lantern hangs from the van’s side mirror, and another stands on the ground, both emitting a warm light. The surrounding trees are illuminated by the golden hues of the setting sun, contributing to the serene and welcoming environment.

The result.

DALL·E 2024-01-07 10.30.03 - A vintage camper van parked in a tranquil woodland setting during sunset.
DALL·E 2024-01-07 10.30.03 - A vintage camper van parked in a tranquil woodland setting during sunset.

I asked DALL-E to create a few variations using the same prompt.

DALL·E 2024-01-07 10.30.45 - A vintage camper van parked in a tranquil woodland setting during sunset.
DALL·E 2024-01-07 10.30.45 - A vintage camper van parked in a tranquil woodland setting during sunset.
DALL·E 2024-01-07 10.32.21 - A vintage camper van parked in a tranquil woodland setting during sunset.
DALL·E 2024-01-07 10.32.21 - A vintage camper van parked in a tranquil woodland setting during sunset.
DALL·E 2024-01-07 10.20.52 - A vintage camper van is parked in a peaceful woodland area during sunset.
DALL·E 2024-01-07 10.20.52 - A vintage camper van is parked in a peaceful woodland area during sunset.

I had a lot of fun with this. It was so much fun that I exceeded the daily maximum number of images for DALL-E!

I’ve long dreamed of selling everything (except my Mac and digital camera gear) and embracing a digital nomad lifestyle alongside my wife, Bhavna. I imagine sitting in the quiet glow of a campfire beside an Airstream camper van parked under a star-studded sky. The crackling flames mirrored the spark in Bhavna's eyes. We'd wander through the vast landscapes of the Americas from Canada to Costa Rica, from the rugged Rockies to the serene coastlines of Patagonia, our laptops connecting us to a world of opportunities. With each sunrise, a new adventure. I would work on information technology projects from the heart of nature, my office changing with the seasons. We'd capture the beauty of every place through my photography, creating memories that last a lifetime. Just thinking about it, I feel the wanderlust pulling me closer to a dream I hope will become our reality.

I was inspired by Susan’s original prompt to write a new prompt to create my own imaginary dream space. I used variations of the following prompt.

During sunrise, an Airstream camper van is parked in a peaceful tropical woodland area. The van’s side door is open, revealing an interior setup with a two-person bed, creating an impression of a cosy mobile bedroom space. Outside, an open Apple MacBook and a compact ILC mirrorless camera rest on a small table with a chair, suggesting a space for writing and photo editing amidst nature. A camera backpack and open tripod are on the ground just outside the side door to the camper van. The surrounding tropical trees are illuminated by the golden hues of the rising sun, contributing to the serene and welcoming environment. Generate a large 3:2 ratio image.

DALL·E 2024-01-07 08.58.59 - During sunrise, an Airstream camper van is parked in a peaceful tropical woodland area.
DALL·E 2024-01-07 08.58.59 - During sunrise, an Airstream camper van is parked in a peaceful tropical woodland area.
DALL·E 2024-01-07 09.22.08 - During sunrise, a large Airstream camper van is parked in a peaceful tropical woodland.
DALL·E 2024-01-07 09.22.08 - During sunrise, a large Airstream camper van is parked in a peaceful tropical woodland.
DALL·E 2024-01-07 09.15.17 - A peaceful sunrise in a tropical woodland setting with an Airstream camper van parked among the trees.
DALL·E 2024-01-07 09.15.17 - A peaceful sunrise in a tropical woodland setting with an Airstream camper van parked among the trees.
DALL·E 2024-01-07 09.14.32 - A peaceful sunrise in a tropical woodland, with an Airstream camper van parked among the trees.
DALL·E 2024-01-07 09.14.32 - A peaceful sunrise in a tropical woodland, with an Airstream camper van parked among the trees.
DALL·E 2024-01-07 09.12.50 - During sunrise, an Airstream camper van is parked in a peaceful tropical woodland area.
DALL·E 2024-01-07 09.12.50 - During sunrise, an Airstream camper van is parked in a peaceful tropical woodland area.

So, what’s the greatest gift someone can give me? Inspiration. Thank you, Susan T. Braithwaite!!

From what I've learned about U.S. copyright laws, artwork created entirely by AI, without any human input, can't be copyrighted. My conversation with DALL-E suggests that things are more complicated.

To be clear:

I, Khürt Williams, hereby release all of my images created using DALL·E under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0). This means that anyone is free to share, copy, redistribute, and adapt these images, even commercially, as long as they provide appropriate credit to me, indicate if changes were made, and distribute any modified material under the same license as the original. By applying the CC BY-SA 4.0 license to my DALL·E-created images, I am promoting open and accessible use of these works, while ensuring that I am credited for my original creation.

Inspiration

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

This afternoon Bhavna and I went for a walk on a section of the 7.89 kilometres (4.9-mile) paved loop trail around Thompson Park in Holmdel starting at the parking lot at Cross Farm Park. I wanted to try something different new and had scouted the area near Colts Neck where I pick up craft beer from Source Farmhouse Brewing. Part of the trail follows the rim of Marlu Lake. We walked about 6.26 km. When we started on the trail, I noticed that Cross Farm Park is mostly open meadow filled with New Jersey wildflowers; based on my limited knowledge, Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), Sugarcane Plumegrass (Saccharum giganteum), Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and others.

We walked and talked, and Bhavna noticed that I seemed a bit distracted. She asked, "what's going on". I told her I was not feeling motivated at work and life in general, that I was feeling anxious and disconnected. I was burnt out, and that on some days, I just wanted to sit and stare into the distance.

I talked some more about my anxiety over the end of my contract in December, the need to train to maintain my certifications and skills. Where once I was passionate and energised and engaged with work and life, I had a lot of mental clutter and spent most of my free time reading blogs or watching crappy sitcom TV.

CQueen Anne's lace (Daucus carota) | Sunday 20 September, 2020 | Day 182 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR f/5.6 | ISO 800 |

Uncertainty about the future, challenges with physical health, continually existing in the same unchanging environment, and having to stay distant from my friends and colleagues are just some of the things affecting my ability to focus. I told her I was feeling isolated.

While we walked, I photographed whatever caught my eye. It wasn't until we were home that I realised that our talk might have inspired my photography that evening. I had subconsciously opened the aperture of my lens and used the narrow depth of field to isolate my subjects from an otherwise crowded scene. Is this how inspiration finds us? Is it a random thing that just happens?

Cross Farm Park | Sunday 20 September, 2020 | Day 182 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR f/2.8 | ISO 400 |

Bhavna and I continued walking and talking. My belief in my abilities, my self-esteem, and my optimism are low. We talked about ways I could find to push past this low point, but we both struggled with things to do to change my mental state. I have very few options during this global pandemic.

At the end of the walk, I realised that even though I dislike online training, it’s my only option right now. No in-person courses are being taught. My main concern is how I will be affected by learning while sitting for hours at the same desk and computer where I sit for hours to work?

We drove home in silence. I ate dinner, then cleaned away and organised the mess on my desk, which had become a reflection of my mental disarray. Removing the physical clutter may clear the mental clutter, and I’ll find the inspiration to find a way forward.

Tomorrow, I’ll plan Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely training goals to accomplish before the end of the year.

I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-killer.

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

I will face my fear.

I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.

Only I will remain.The Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear, Dune by Frank Herber

Submitted for the 100DaysToOffload project and Lens-Artists Challenge #115 – Inspiration.