Lightning Strikes: A Dramatic Lighting Technique in Film with Freepik
- 10 minutes read - 1929 wordsTable of Contents
Dramatic lighting is a powerful tool in storytelling, used to create mood, emphasize characters, and enhance the visual impact of a scene. It often involves using strong contrasts of light and shadow, creating a sense of drama and intrigue. This technique is commonly employed in film, photography, and even video games to draw the viewer’s attention to specific elements and evoke specific emotions.
For example, a single spotlight illuminating a character’s face in a dark alleyway can create a sense of mystery and danger, while a dramatic lightning strike illuminating a battlefield can heighten the intensity and chaos of the scene.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how AI is using dramatic lighting to create captivating scenes, analyzing its understanding of this technique and its impact on storytelling.
Created with: freepik
Silhouetted Against the Storm
A solitary figure stands silhouetted against a raging thunderstorm, their contemplation mirrored in the dramatic flashes of lightning. The scene evokes a sense of isolation and introspection, capturing the raw power of nature and the quiet strength of the human spirit.
Prompt
lightning low-key-lighting: Mysterious, isolated, contemplative ; A lone figure, silhouetted against a window; medium-shot; Single Person; A dimly lit room with only the faint glow of the window illuminating the figure.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A silhouette of a person standing in a dark room, looking out a window at a stormy sky with lightning
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : dramatic, lonely, eerie
Quality
Entropy : 6.16
Noise : 36
Prompt Clip Score : 0.28
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.30
Image errors : There are no significant artifacts or errors in the image
The Flash Strikes in the Shadows
A dramatic image of The Flash, bathed in the glow of a lightning bolt, stands in a dark alleyway. His red cape billows behind him, adding to the sense of power and drama. The dimly lit scene creates a sense of mystery and anticipation.
Prompt
lightning low-key-lighting: Dramatic, powerful, heroic ; A superhero standing in the shadows, their face illuminated by a single spotlight; medium-shot; Heroes; A dark alleyway with a single spotlight shining on the hero.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A superhero in a blue and gold suit stands in a dark alleyway with a red cape. Lightning strikes in the background. The alley is lit by street lamps.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : dramatic, powerful, heroic
Quality
Entropy : 6.53
Noise : 56
Prompt Clip Score : 0.28
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.70
Image errors : The image is slightly blurry. The lightning strike appears to be an overlay.
Late Night Struggle: A Man Battles Through a Mountain of Work
A dimly lit office, a cluttered desk, and a man hunched over his computer. The scene evokes a sense of tension and fatigue, hinting at a late-night struggle with a demanding task. The low light and the man’s posture create a palpable sense of pressure, leaving the viewer wondering what challenges he faces.
Prompt
lightning low-key-lighting: Bleak, exhausted, overworked ; A tired office worker hunched over their desk, the only light coming from the computer screen; medium-shot; Normal People; A dimly lit office with only the computer screen illuminating the worker’s face.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A man is sitting at a desk in a dimly lit office, working on a computer.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : serious, focused, dark
Quality
Entropy : 6.19
Noise : 37
Prompt Clip Score : 0.17
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : There is a slight blur to the image and the lighting is uneven.
Shadows and Secrets: A Man in the Dark
A dimly lit room, a man in a suit, and a single lightbulb casting long shadows. This vintage scene evokes a sense of mystery and suspense, leaving you wondering what secrets lie hidden in the darkness.
Prompt
lightning low-key-lighting: Intense, suspenseful, mysterious ; A detective sitting in a dimly lit interrogation room, their face half-hidden in shadow; medium-shot; Heroes; A dark interrogation room with only a single lamp illuminating the detective’s face.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A man in a suit is sitting at a table in a dimly lit room. There is a piece of paper on the table in front of him. There are lights above the man.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : serious, suspenseful, mysterious
Quality
Entropy : 6.29
Noise : 31
Prompt Clip Score : 0.25
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : No noticeable errors
Lost in the Fog: A Solitary Figure Walks the Deserted Streets
A lone figure, shrouded in mystery, walks through a deserted city street bathed in the eerie glow of streetlights. The thick fog adds an element of suspense, leaving you wondering who they are and where they’re going. This atmospheric scene evokes a sense of loneliness and intrigue, capturing the essence of a mysterious night.
Prompt
lightning low-key-lighting: Lonely, vulnerable, suspenseful ; A young woman walking alone down a deserted street, the only light coming from streetlamps; medium-shot; Single Person; A dark, deserted street with only the faint glow of streetlamps illuminating the woman.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone woman walks down a dark, foggy street lit by streetlights.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : mysterious, eerie, lonely
Quality
Entropy : 6.46
Noise : 63
Prompt Clip Score : 0.29
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image has no visible artifacts or errors.
Campfire Glow in the Mysterious Forest
A group of young adventurers huddle around a roaring campfire, its warm light illuminating their faces in the dark forest. The scene evokes a sense of mystery, coziness, and the thrill of exploration.
Prompt
lightning low-key-lighting: Warm, intimate, nostalgic ; A group of friends huddled around a campfire, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames; medium-shot; Normal People; A dark forest with a campfire burning brightly in the center.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A group of young people are sitting around a campfire in a dark forest. The fire is large and bright, and the people are illuminated by its light. The forest is dark and mysterious, and the fire creates a sense of warmth and comfort in the midst of the darkness.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : cozy, mysterious, warm
Quality
Entropy : 6.17
Noise : 62
Prompt Clip Score : 0.28
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.70
Image errors : There are some artifacts around the fire and some unnatural edges on the people in the image. The fire also looks a bit too perfect and unrealistically shaped.
Warrior’s Resolve in the Storm’s Embrace
A powerful warrior, clad in armor, stands defiant amidst a raging storm. Lightning strikes illuminate the scene, casting dramatic shadows and highlighting the warrior’s unwavering gaze. The faint glow in the background hints at a hidden purpose, adding to the epic and heroic mood of this captivating image.
Prompt
lightning low-key-lighting: Epic, dramatic, heroic ; A warrior standing on a battlefield, their face illuminated by the glow of a distant explosion; medium-shot; Heroes; A dark battlefield with a distant explosion illuminating the warrior’s face.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone warrior in heavy armor stands against a backdrop of lightning strikes and a fiery battlefield.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : epic, dramatic, powerful
Quality
Entropy : 6.83
Noise : 50
Prompt Clip Score : 0.25
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.90
Image errors : The image appears to have some minor artifacts, particularly around the edges of the warrior’s armor, which may be due to compression or post-processing.
A Moment of Intimacy: A Romantic Date in a Dimly Lit Restaurant
Experience the warmth and cozy ambiance of a romantic date, as a couple shares a quiet moment in a dimly lit restaurant. The soft glow of candlelight illuminates their faces, creating an intimate and mysterious atmosphere. With an aesthetic score of 0.7, this scene is sure to captivate and inspire.
Prompt
lightning low-key-lighting: Romantic, intimate, sensual ; A couple sitting in a dimly lit restaurant, their faces illuminated by candlelight; medium-shot; Normal People; A dimly lit restaurant with only candlelight illuminating the couple’s faces.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A young couple is sitting at a dimly lit table in a restaurant. There are candles on the table, and the woman is looking at the man with a gentle expression. The man is looking back at the woman with a smile.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : romantic, intimate, cozy
Quality
Entropy : 6.72
Noise : 47
Prompt Clip Score : 0.27
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image appears slightly over-exposed, and there is some blurriness in the background.
The Intensity of Discovery: A Scientist’s Focused Pursuit
A scientist, bathed in the focused light of a lab lamp, peers intently through a microscope. The cluttered lab around them speaks to the dedication and passion fueling their scientific pursuit. The scene captures the essence of focused, intense scientific exploration.
Prompt
lightning low-key-lighting: Focused, intense, mysterious ; A scientist working late in their lab, their face illuminated by the glow of a microscope; medium-shot; Single Person; A dark lab with only the microscope illuminating the scientist’s face.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A man in a lab coat is looking through a microscope. He is in a dimly lit room, with a lamp illuminating the microscope.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : focused, serious, scientific
Quality
Entropy : 6.71
Noise : 56
Prompt Clip Score : 0.25
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.30
Image errors : There are no noticeable artifacts or errors in the image.
Spotlight on Talent: Rock Band Electrifies the Stage
A female vocalist takes center stage, bathed in spotlights, as her band delivers an energetic rock performance. The dark background and dramatic lighting create a captivating atmosphere, highlighting the raw power and passion of the music.
Prompt
lightning low-key-lighting: Energetic, passionate, dramatic ; A group of musicians performing on stage, their faces illuminated by spotlights; studio; Heroes; A dark stage with spotlights shining on the musicians.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A band performing on stage with a spotlight on the lead singer. The stage is set up with a drum set and microphones.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : energetic, passionate, rock and roll
Quality
Entropy : 6.64
Noise : 49
Prompt Clip Score : 0.23
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.10
Image errors : Slight chromatic aberration, slightly blurry background
Conclusion
The results show that the generative AI model performed well in understanding the scene and camera position, but struggled with the aesthetic aspect. Here’s a breakdown:
- Camera Position: The model scored 0.25, which is considered below average. This suggests that the model didn’t accurately capture the intended camera position described in the prompt.
- Shot Analysis: The model scored 0.58, which is considered good. This indicates that the model was able to understand the scene described in the prompt and create a shot that aligns with it.
- Aesthetic Analysis: The model scored 0.12, which is considered very good. This means that the generated image closely matched the expected aesthetic style.
Overall, the model demonstrated a good understanding of the scene and its aesthetic, but struggled with accurately capturing the intended camera position.