Most people think of ChatGPT as a text-based tool, a platform for generating ideas or answering questions. But the camera is the secret key to unlocking its full potential. Here’s why:
When you combine the camera with ChatGPT, you’re not just taking pictures but giving the chatbot vision. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use the camera in Chat.
1. The Treasure Hunter’s Assistant
Imagine walking into a thrift store, yard sale, or used bookstore. Shelves are overflowing, and there are stacks of books, DVDs, and cards. You know there must be something valuable hidden among the junk.. Snap a picture of the shelf, ask ChatGPT to categorize the items and suggest their value. It’s not perfect, but it’s fast—and accurate at surfacing that hidden gem.
Suddenly, finding a rare first edition or a valuable collectible card isn’t about expertise—it’s about curiosity and a camera. Here’s a quick demonstration I posted on TikTok.
@christorychannel insights in seconds. From planning projects to brainstorming side hustles, this tool helps you stay efficient and focused, cutting down the time you’d spend sorting through chaos. Whether you’re running a small business, freelancing, or just trying to streamline your workflow, this feature keeps you ahead of the game. Start snapping, organizing, and building your next big thing! #AI #ChatGPT #ProductivityHacks #MakeMoneyOnline #SideHustle #Efficiency #LifeHack #AIForBusiness #Entrepreneurship #TechTools ♬ original sound – Chris
2. The Every Item Identifier
Inherited a toolbox? Stumbled upon a vintage gadget in the attic? Snap a photo. Instead of fumbling through endless Google searches, let ChatGPT identify it. In seconds, you’ll know what it is, what it does, and maybe even what it’s worth.
That goes for just about anything including flowers or birds.
3. The Instant Troubleshooter
Error codes on a monitor. Mysterious lights on your car dashboard. Blurry instructions on an appliance. These are the everyday headaches we all face. Snap a photo, share it with ChatGPT, and then ask it to troubleshoot. I recently used this a few times on a rental car to figure out what a light was on the dash as well as some Apple Play issues.
4. Spreadsheet Whisperer
Trying to recreate a spreadsheet. Don’t type it manually. Take a picture, feed it to ChatGPT, and ask it to create a digital version. Chat GPT is good at doing the thing that sometimes stops you from starting.
5. Needle-in-the-Haystack Finder
Whether it’s shelves of baseball cards or rows of Pokémon cards, your camera and ChatGPT become a dynamic duo. Capture the collection, and ask which ones might be valuable. It’s a new way to collect, informed by insights and driven by technology. This work on all sorts of items and even paintings. I have paintings at home it was able to identify the source, and let me know it’s not worth much.
6. Unlocking Context in the Everyday
Take pictures of multiple recipes. Then have chat gpt compile a shopping list. Visiting a country with a language you don’t know. Take a picture. Have it translated and you can see everything in real-time. Or figure out how much weight is on a bar. Check out pictures of my wife at a recent powerlifting meet. I just uploaded photos and let it figure out exactly what the weight was. Turns out it was more than she had asked for. She kicked ass.
Why It Matters
The real magic isn’t in the tool. It’s in how we use it. The more you use it the more you’ll recognize instances it will help.
By leveraging your camera, AI becomes less theoretical and evil and more functional — giving it the ability to interact with the world you see every day. I can see this being a massive help for folks who have lost their sight
Christopher lives in Vermont with his wife, twin boys, border collie and corgi. He has owned a film production company, sold slot machines, and worked for Tony Robbins. He writes in his magical tiny house and sometimes writes in his blog at chrisrodgers.blog
Visit his author’s page.