Chiaroscuro: The Art of Light and Shadow in Image Generation with Flux-pro
- 10 minutes read - 1962 wordsTable of Contents
Chiaroscuro, a dramatic style that plays with contrasting light and shadow, has long been a staple in visual arts. This technique, often used to create depth, mood, and emotional impact, is now being embraced by AI image generation models. By manipulating light and shadow, these models are able to generate images that are not only visually stunning but also emotionally resonant. From the stark contrast of a lone knight against a moonlit sky to the flickering shadows of a family gathered around a campfire, chiaroscuro adds a layer of depth and drama to AI-generated scenes. This blog post explores how AI models are mastering this technique, analyzing the results and showcasing the captivating power of chiaroscuro in image generation.
Created with: flux-pro
A Torch Against the Darkness: A Mysterious Journey to an Ancient Castle
A lone figure, illuminated only by the flickering light of a torch, walks towards a towering, ancient castle shrouded in mist. The dramatic contrast between light and shadow creates an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere, hinting at a story waiting to unfold.
Prompt
Chiaroscuro: Epic, hopeful ; A lone knight; wide shot; Heroism; A crumbling castle bathed in moonlight, with a single torch flickering in the distance.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure with a torch walks towards a mysterious, dark castle in a misty landscape. The image is likely inspired by a fantasy setting.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : mysterious, eerie, atmospheric
Quality
Entropy : 6.28
Noise : 90
Prompt Clip Score : 0.29
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.90
Image errors : The image has some artifacts, particularly around the edges of the castle. The lighting also appears slightly artificial.
Unveiling the Treasure: A Spotlight on Riches
A dramatic spotlight illuminates a treasure chest overflowing with gold coins, casting an air of mystery and adventure in a dark, enigmatic setting. The scene evokes a sense of wonder and anticipation, hinting at the secrets and riches that lie within.
Prompt
Chiaroscuro: Intriguing, mysterious ; A treasure chest overflowing with gold; close-up; Adventure; A dark, shadowy cave with a single ray of light illuminating the chest.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A treasure chest filled with gold coins, illuminated by a dramatic spotlight, is placed on a dark rocky surface. The scene evokes a sense of mystery and adventure.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : mysterious, adventurous, magical
Quality
Entropy : 6.49
Noise : 78
Prompt Clip Score : 0.24
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.30
Image errors : The gold coins lack depth and texture. The image appears slightly blurry, especially in the background.
Lost in the Game: A Moment of Intense Focus
A young man, bathed in the glow of his screen, is completely absorbed in his video game. The low lighting and close-up framing capture his intense concentration, highlighting the immersive experience of gaming.
Prompt
Chiaroscuro: Focused, intense ; A gamer’s hands on a keyboard; medium shot; Gaming; A dimly lit room with the glow of the computer screen casting shadows on the gamer’s face.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A person wearing a headset is sitting in a dimly lit room, looking at a computer screen. The person is wearing a dark hoodie and has their hands on a keyboard. There is a plant in the background.
Aesthetic Score : 0.5
Mood : focused, intense, concentrated
Quality
Entropy : 6.00
Noise : 51
Prompt Clip Score : 0.26
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image has some minor artifacts, such as noise in the background.
Silhouetted Against the Setting Sun: A Hiker’s Moment of Majesty
A lone hiker stands on a mountain peak, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. The scene evokes a sense of serenity, inspiration, and awe, as the hiker’s silhouette against the dramatic sky emphasizes their solitude and connection to nature.
Prompt
Chiaroscuro: Awe-inspiring, contemplative ; A lone traveler standing on a mountain peak; long shot; Tourism; A vast, breathtaking landscape with the sun setting behind the mountains, casting long shadows.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone hiker stands on a mountaintop, silhouetted against a brilliant sunset. The sun, partially obscured by clouds, casts golden rays across the landscape, creating a dramatic and awe-inspiring scene.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : tranquil, inspiring, majestic
Quality
Entropy : 6.70
Noise : 55
Prompt Clip Score : 0.26
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.10
Image errors : No visible errors. The image has a natural grain and tone.
Nostalgic Sunset Flight: A Vintage Biplane Soars Above the City
A serene and hopeful scene unfolds as a vintage biplane cuts through the sky, its silhouette a stark contrast against the fiery hues of a setting sun. The city skyline below adds a touch of urban nostalgia to this dramatic and evocative image.
Prompt
Chiaroscuro: Nostalgic, adventurous ; A vintage airplane flying over a cityscape; medium shot; Travel; A dramatic cityscape with the sun setting behind the buildings, creating a stark contrast between light and shadow.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A vintage biplane flying over a city at sunset. The sun is setting in the background, creating a warm glow.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : peaceful, nostalgic, hopeful
Quality
Entropy : 6.75
Noise : 64
Prompt Clip Score : 0.28
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.70
Image errors : There are some minor artifacts in the image, particularly in the sky.
Campfire Glow: A Night of Warmth and Togetherness
A group of friends gather around a crackling campfire, their faces illuminated by the warm glow. The smoke curls upwards against the dark forest backdrop, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. This scene captures the essence of shared moments, warmth, and connection.
Prompt
Chiaroscuro: Warm, intimate ; A family gathered around a campfire; medium shot; Family; A dark forest with the flames of the campfire casting flickering shadows on the family’s faces.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A group of four people are gathered around a campfire in a forest. The scene is lit by the fire and the moonlight. The people are all looking at the fire, and there is a sense of warmth and camaraderie. The forest is dark and mysterious, and the fire casts long shadows on the ground.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : cozy, warm, mysterious
Quality
Entropy : 6.03
Noise : 73
Prompt Clip Score : 0.29
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.10
Image errors : The image is slightly blurry, the lighting could be more balanced and contrast could be improved.
A Solitary Figure Contemplates the Fury of the Storm
A lone figure stands defiant against the elements, silhouetted against a stormy sky and crashing waves. The dramatic contrast between the small human form and the vastness of nature evokes a sense of loneliness, power, and the enduring spirit of humanity.
Prompt
Chiaroscuro: Dramatic, suspenseful ; A lone figure standing on a cliff edge; long shot; Heroism; A stormy sea with crashing waves, the figure silhouetted against the dramatic sky.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure stands on a cliff overlooking a stormy sea, with dramatic waves crashing against the rocks.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : dramatic, melancholic, contemplative
Quality
Entropy : 6.51
Noise : 64
Prompt Clip Score : 0.24
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.30
Image errors : There are no visible artifacts or errors in the image.
Secrets Unveiled in the Candlelight
A dimly lit table, shrouded in mystery, holds a map and other intriguing objects. The flickering candlelight casts long shadows, creating an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue. What secrets lie hidden in the darkness?
Prompt
Chiaroscuro: Intriguing, mysterious ; A map spread out on a table; close-up; Adventure; A dimly lit room with a single candle illuminating the map, casting long shadows.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A close-up shot of a map with a single lit candle in the foreground, surrounded by a few out-of-focus objects and a soft, blue-tinged light in the background.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : mysterious, atmospheric, nostalgic
Quality
Entropy : 6.79
Noise : 80
Prompt Clip Score : 0.29
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.40
Image errors : No major image errors are visible, the image appears to be slightly blurry or soft-focused.
Lost in a Dreamy Forest
A solitary figure stands amidst a mystical forest, bathed in an ethereal glow. The scene evokes a sense of mystery, surrealism, and wonder, leaving you lost in a dreamy landscape.
Prompt
Chiaroscuro: Surreal, immersive ; A player’s avatar in a virtual world; medium shot; Gaming; A vibrant, colorful virtual world with the player’s avatar standing in the shadows, illuminated by a single light source.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure stands in a misty, otherworldly forest with glowing pink lights hanging from the trees. The path ahead is unclear, and the figure appears to be lost or searching.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : mysterious, eerie, dreamlike
Quality
Entropy : 6.62
Noise : 86
Prompt Clip Score : 0.22
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.90
Image errors : The image appears to be somewhat blurry, especially in the background. The figure’s silhouette is also not very defined.
Sun-Drenched Bustle: A City Market Comes Alive
Capture the vibrant energy of a bustling city market bathed in warm sunlight. The scene is alive with activity, showcasing the interplay of people, architecture, and the dramatic shadows cast by the sun.
Prompt
Chiaroscuro: Energetic, lively ; A bustling marketplace in a foreign country; wide shot; Tourism; A vibrant marketplace with the sun casting long shadows on the stalls and people.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A street scene in a bustling city, with people walking through a market. The sun is shining brightly, casting long shadows. There are buildings and stalls on both sides of the street, and the atmosphere is one of vibrant life.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : busy, warm, sunlit
Quality
Entropy : 6.67
Noise : 85
Prompt Clip Score : 0.28
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : There is a slight amount of noise in the image, particularly in the darker areas. The shadows are also a bit too harsh, which could be softened with a slight adjustment in the editing process.
Conclusion
This analysis shows that the generative AI model performed well in terms of understanding the scene and camera position, but struggled with the aesthetic style. Here’s a breakdown:
- Camera Position: The model scored 0.31, which is below the “good” range of 0.5 to 0.75. This suggests the model didn’t fully capture the intended camera position described in the prompt.
- Shot Analysis: The model scored 0.5, which falls within the “good” range. This indicates the model successfully understood the scene described in the prompt and translated it into a visually coherent image.
- Aesthetic Analysis: The model scored 0.12, which is significantly above the “very good” range of -0.2 to 0.1. This suggests the generated image deviated significantly from the intended “Chiaroscuro” aesthetic style.
Overall: While the model demonstrated good understanding of the scene and shot composition, it struggled to accurately represent the desired aesthetic style. This suggests the model might need further training or fine-tuning to better understand and implement specific artistic styles.
Sources:
- https://www.swiff.org/article/crafting-the-tone-and-style-of-a-film
- https://digital-photography-school.com/backlighting-in-photography/
- https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-chiaroscuro-definition-examples/
- https://infocusfilmschool.com/4-wildly-different-movie-styles-youll-explore-filmmaking-college/
- https://cinepunked.com/2022/09/23/a-quick-guide-to-visual-style/
- https://cinematography.com/index.php?/forums/topic/184-desaturation-techniques/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/Filmmakers/comments/1452afb/colour_grading_an_underrated_factor_in_the/
- https://digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds/
- https://fal.ai/models/fal-ai/flux-pro/api