Show AI Photos, Files and Screenshots: Let It Read What You See (Module 3, Lesson 2)

Module 3 · Lesson 2 of 5 · About 10 minutes

Typing everything out is slow. Both Claude and Grok can look at a photo, a PDF or a screenshot and work with what’s in it. It’s often the fastest way to ask for help.

How to add one

In a Claude or Grok chat, look for the + or paperclip button next to the message box. On your phone you can take a photo right there. Then type what you want, the same way you’d ask a friend looking over your shoulder.

Ten things to snap a photo of

1. The school flyer: “Add the dates to a list and tell me what I need to buy.”
2. The fridge: “What can I make tonight?”
3. A recipe card from Grandma: “Type this up neatly and double it.”
4. A homework page: “Explain the method to me. Don’t solve it.”
5. A confusing bill (numbers covered): “What does each line mean?”
6. A messy closet or garage: “Give me a 20-minute plan to organize this.”
7. A plant or garden pest: “What might this be, and what are my options?”
8. Your kid’s drawing: “Write a short silly story about this character.”
9. A product label: “Explain this ingredient list in plain words.”
10. A screenshot of a group chat plan: “Pull out who’s bringing what and when.”

Files work too

PDFs like the school handbook, a lease, an insurance policy or a 40-page product manual can be dropped in whole. Then ask the question you actually have:

Here's a document: [attach]. Answer just this question: [your question]. Quote the exact part of the document your answer comes from, so I can check it.

Asking for the exact quote is the trick. It lets you check the AI didn’t make something up, which matters for anything with money, deadlines or rules.

What not to photograph

• Your kids’ faces, or anything with their full name, school or address on it
• IDs, cards and account numbers (cover them, or crop them out first)
• Medical photos to get a diagnosis. AI can’t examine your child. Call your doctor or nurse line.
• Other people’s private messages without their OK

When it reads things wrong

Blurry photos, handwriting and tiny print can trip it up. If an answer seems off, ask: “Read back what you see in the photo first.” Then correct anything it misread before going further.

← ProjectsNext: Talk instead of type →