Softbox

Nov. 12, 2024

This illustration aims to give a general idea of what a softbox does — it spreads light more evenly, like using a paint roller instead of tossing a whole quart of paint at a wall at once.
While the vintage bottle and softbox may take center stage in this post, the real focus is on how artificial intelligence can assist with projects ranging from high-tech web applications to craft and home renovation.

Using Artificial Intelligence in Daily Life

Measure Twice, Cut Once: A Brand New Me

I just want to share something I'm immensely proud of -- I built a softbox to help improve photos for the blog in future posts.

Building the softbox was a straightforward, hands-on project with simple components using just wood, metal and fabric. And even in a project using ancient materials — artificial intelligence carried a substantial portion of the weight.

Where the previous Alex would've thrown a pillowcase over a scalding-hot construction work light for a rushed product photo, AI helps remove the distracting problems and lets me focus on what's important, in this case, building a stable, square frame, and pulling and stapling fabric perfectly taught for a nice, respectable softbox.

For context, I work with AI in my career as an analyst and developer. The use of AI is pretty common in our office, but conversations about it are somewhat rare and they always seem hushed, or uncomfortable.

Dark Thoughts

Because it feels like cheating.

When writing felt scary enough on its own, now getting help from AI can feel like plagerism.

Then, further, it's embarassing to wonder if I could succeed in my job without ChatGPT.

And if I'm not good enough now, what hope should I have for the future?

And this ethical and moral delima is finally capped off by the realization that I'm freely chosing to share my most venerable and intimate thoughts with an unknown entity.

In the past few months, I've had the privilege of working with artificial intelligence and have found it to be an incredibly empowering tool. By sharing my experiences, I hope to offer a transparent look into how I've used AI and how it has genuinely helped improve my life.

A High-Anxiety Trip

I have to meditate before going into stores.

I picture the items and the aisles, and the interactions I'll have to have in that trip. It's common for me just to get overwhelmed, stay home and table the project.

Today's trip involved 1. needing to return items, 2. learn about and carry big, heavy stuff, 3. learn about and carry small, technical stuff, 4. get a store associate to approve my purchase of a can of spray paint

Centain tools help with anxiety:

• 🎧 I wear noise-cancelling headphones to all stores, even with Carolina
• 📋 I make a list using Apple's Reminders application. It's the best application I've ever used
• 📍 I look up the aisle/bin locations to items ahead of time, and add them to my list in the Reminders app

And there are also behavorial tools, like reminding myself I can go back to my car after the return, regroup and go back inside.

And I consider ChatGPT to be the latest addition to my anti-anxiety toolbelt. Below is a screenshot of my conversation with ChatGPT 4.0 about building the softbox. If you want to read the full conversation, I linked it here: full transcript

Meet Chat:

Above is a screenshot of my conversation with ChatGPT 4.0 about building the softbox. If you want to read the full conversation, I linked it here: full transcript

I really like cedar. It smells great. It has a shiny side and a dull side. It was easy to drill and screw. And I think it looks nice. I'm very happy with my choice.

ChatGPT's take: ...cedar is a good choice for [your] projects. Cedar is lightweight, stable, and resists warping, which is ideal for a light-blocking frame and a light box. It's also easy to work with and can be painted or stained if needed. Cedar's natural resistance to moisture and warping can help maintain the structure and fit over time, especially if the frame will be moved or adjusted frequently.

Using AI on this project let me focus on the things I wanted to focus on, like getting the box frame built correctly, and pulling the fabric tight.

Forgive the aestetics. I still consider this to be one of the most beautiful things I've ever built.

Again forgive the aesthetics. My house is under construction. And my softbox is clamped to my former 3D printer table. I'm spread a little thin right now. The good news is that I have an abundant source of blog material just based on home rennovation projects and Teddy continuing his reign as world's bestest dog. ❤️ 🐶