Un pays, 5 clichés

You must not have made the same request—the couple isn’t in the same age bracket...

The result itself is still just as kitsch, though. You’d think some of the paintings sold in those touristy souvenir shops with the weirdest stuff...

Wait, wait, we went to the same place!! 😂 We’re not here to sing the praises of AI—nothing will ever beat actually going there, and thank goodness for that! Attila’s right; my search started with “fifty-something couple” 😉

Attila is right, my request started with "fifty-something couple" 😅

Oops, I forgot to specify the age. Well, I’ll tweak the prompt...

ChatGPT:



Copilot:



Worth noting, a certain similarity...

Interesting to note that AI sees young people face-to-face while the over-fifties are getting closer... Like Attila: really, really ugly. And on top of that, there’s only pale yellow in the glasses! !

Interesting to note that the AI sees young people face-to-face while the fifty-somethings are getting closer...

No, nothing to do with that. When I added fifty-something to the prompt, I also added from behind to stick closer to the original photo. I should’ve asked for water to be included too, but oh well, I used up my quota (= two), gotta wait till tomorrow…

Like Attila: really, really ugly. And on top of that, there’s only pale yellow in the glasses!

Yeah, it’s really ugly, but it’s the free version, and it’s not a photo, it’s an image. With the paid version, you can get hyper-realistic images comparable to photos, but whether it’s ChatGPT, Copilot, or Gemini, the monthly subscription is over 20 €, so we’ll (I’ll) wait a bit…

Interesting to note that AI sees young people face-to-face while the fifty-somethings get closer... Like Attila: really, really ugly. And on top of that, there’s only pale yellow in the glasses!

We all know that the more time passes, the more we look in the same direction. Shows that AI doesn’t stop philosophy. As for the drink, I specified “a glass of white wine.” Which kept the AI from putting beer bottles with champagne flutes.

With the paid version, you can get hyper-realistic images comparable to photos, but whether it's ChatGPT, Copilot, or Gemini, the monthly subscription is over 20 €, so we'll (I'll) wait a bit…

As for me, they can wait a long time before I give them any money!! They already steal my data… #GDPR 😂

When it came to the liquid, I specified "a glass of white wine." Which kept the AI from adding bottles of beer with champagne flutes...

Flute (couldn’t have said it better myself), I forgot to specify the type of liquid! Actually, when you post an AI-generated image, you should include the prompt too...

Darn (that’s the word for it), I forgot to specify what the liquid was! Actually, when you post an AI image, you should also post the prompt…

That said, the difference isn’t glaring. For the “prompt” (I just learned that word), my daughter, a well-informed thirty-something, filled me in: the more details you add, the more precise it gets 😵

But we’d better get back to the original topic of this post or the boss is gonna chew us out (apparently she’s not easy-going) 😄

Darn, I forgot to specify the age. Okay, I’ll edit the prompt...

The AI didn’t get the proportions right either. When it comes to animals, it’s pretty lacking 😅

But we’d better get back to the original topic of this post or the boss is gonna chew us out (she’s apparently not easy-going) 😅

The boss found the digression on AI really interesting.[:p]

I wonder what the prompt was regarding the characters.

Because if it was just a couple in their fifties, the AI isn’t inclusive at all and would have the whole LFI crowd on its case.

All white, slim, good-looking, very well-groomed...

We could’ve had two men or two women, an Asian and a mixed-race person, a bald guy and a curvier woman, etc., etc...

Since this topic has taken a pre-dinner drinks turn, I’ll chip in with my contribution.

Morocco (Oualidia)

Belgium (Brussels) Bali (Nusa Ceningan)

Spain (Ronda)

Turkey (Istanbul)

Okay, Montagnard’s going to tell me this lacks charcuterie or something [;)]

I think I'm gonna start a new photo thread for drinks and snacks from around the world! !

(You managed to sneak in your tea even though it's not Moroccan...)

True, it’s a bit lacking in charcuterie! And you have no idea how important pork is in my life!

If I were the boss, I wouldn’t have even approved the tea! But that just proves how incredibly lenient she is 😄

In India, to serve an alcoholic drink where it's banned, the server puts it in a teapot—sneaky but effective... The circle is complete... The crossover of discussions too! 😄

Hello,

I suggest we take a little virtual trip around the world in pictures while waiting to experience some of these places on your next travels. [;)]

The concept is simple: one country, 5 photos that, for you, capture the essence of that country. The same country can be suggested by several participants.

Everything is allowed, and the thread is open to anyone who wants to join—budding photographers, pros, or complete newbies...

Just one rule: no bad vibes! [:)]

Hello, what a great idea for this thread! I’ll dig into my hard drives and happily take part.

Hi there, I checked out your site and really love your photography work. Great job on those beautiful portraits!

Hi there, Here’s my take on Rwanda. It wasn’t easy to narrow it down to just 5! !

Hi Gilles,

Thanks for joining in! :) The coulemelles seem to be enjoyed even in Rwanda.

Hi there, Amazing slices of Rwandan life.

A little thought I had while revisiting this thread (and other travel journals): Photos of Africa or Asia often feature people, whereas photos of Europe or the Americas tend to focus more on places. Coincidence? The photographer’s eye? The beauty of the people? The pull of opposites?

Yeah, this is definitely lacking some pork products! And you have no idea how important pork is in my life!

Go to Romania. You won’t be disappointed on that front!

Photos of Africa or Asia often feature people, whereas photos of Europe or the Americas tend to focus more on places

It’s purely the photographer’s choice—everyone shoots based on their personal tastes and sensitivity.

For example, you’ll rarely see people in my photos, whether in Asia, Africa, Europe, or the Americas. Maybe one exception: India, where it’s nearly impossible *not* to photograph someone (I was told it’s very rude to refuse requests).

I observe, but I don’t keep them in the frame.

Photos of Africa or Asia often feature people, whereas photos of Europe or the Americas tend to focus more on places. Coincidence? The photographer’s eye? The beauty of the subjects? The allure of contrasts?

I think the reason is simpler. Attitudes toward photography vary widely from country to country. In Western countries, broadly speaking, people don’t like being photographed, and we easily censor ourselves. In less affluent countries (or much less affluent ones), it’s exactly the opposite. It’s undeniable that you see more photos of Thais and Cambodians than of Japanese or Koreans… But that’s just my personal take.

In countries that are, let's say, less fortunate (or much less so), it's exactly the opposite

At first.

Then the person being photographed starts asking for fair payment.

Photos of Africa or Asia often feature people, whereas photos of Europe or the Americas tend to focus more on places. Coincidence? The photographer’s eye? The beauty of the subjects? Attraction to opposites?

The attitude, clothing, or general appearance of a European or North American subject might feel like part of our culture and seem ordinary to the photographer. On the other hand, a photographer’s eye is likely drawn to clothing or behavior they don’t see every day—like carrying things on your head, which is so typical in Africa.

Westerners. I don’t know if it’s cliché, but it’s definitely repetitive. Catherine

Yes, of course, there are multiple reasons, and the one mentioned by Masterpo seems obvious to me too... The proof (in your photo) is that they were photographed without their knowledge...

Yeah, this is definitely missing some pork products! And you have no idea how important pork is in my life!

Go to Romania. You won’t be disappointed on that front!

I really loved Slovenia (and Istria in Croatia too) for that [;)] I’ll keep Romania in mind.

Romania in 5 stereotypes

Romania is first and foremost the land of churches and monasteries. I’ve never seen so many in any other country—it’s an overdose! Even the smallest village has at least two. The most beautiful ones are in Transylvania and the Maramureș region. In one small town, I counted five per square kilometer. Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical, Pentecostal—you name it!



Its cemeteries are often cheerful, where you can read about the lives of the deceased in images and text on their tombstones!

It’s also the land of Saxon fortified towns and villages.



Hikers, watch out for bears!



The food is hearty, flavorful, and very filling (especially breakfast), but it’s hard to avoid pork.



The landscapes are stunning—either mountainous or bucolic, with haystacks and carts still pulled by horses.

Okay, I’d attached the photos, and they were visible before sending the message, but not anymore! [:/]

Then the person being photographed starts demanding fair compensation

I hope that’s ironic! The last thing we need is to pay someone to take their picture! That’d be the end of street photography [:/]

The relationship with images differs greatly from one country to another.

Yes, but not because it’s Western or "less privileged" as you put it. In Morocco, it’s getting harder and harder to take photos of people. Whether in the city or the countryside. I think they’re tired of being constantly snapped by phones. It’s also a cultural thing. In Western countries, we’re less confronted with this. But if you ask with a smile and exchange a few words to explain, it’s relatively easy.

I hope that’s ironic!

No. Where the tourist goes, spontaneity dies...

(Especially in Central and South America, where either the person flat-out refuses to be photographed or asks for money...)

And traditional outfits become a source of income. Without tourists, many traditional garments would be relegated to the back of the closet or only brought out for big celebrations.

But anyway, we’re way off topic now...[:p]

And you wouldn’t happen to have 5 photos representing your idea of Zimbabwe, by any chance?[:P]

Five countries, one cliché. (Well, why not? )

Shared bivouac in Zimbabwe (chosen by us, endured by them)

Recreation in Lesotho

Young Himba people in northern Namibia

When I grow up, I’ll be a fisherman (Mozambique)

Unexpected guests at a wedding in Sri Lanka.