Lightning Strikes: A Dramatic Lighting Technique in Film with Midjourney
- 10 minutes read - 2010 words
Table of Contents
Dramatic lighting is a powerful tool in filmmaking, used to create mood, emphasize characters, and tell a story. It involves using light and shadow to create a sense of depth, contrast, and visual interest. This technique is often used in film noir, horror, and thriller genres, where it helps to create a sense of suspense and mystery. For example, in a scene where a detective is investigating a crime, dramatic lighting can be used to highlight the detective’s face, while casting the rest of the room in shadow, creating a sense of intrigue and danger. In a horror film, dramatic lighting can be used to create a sense of unease and fear, by casting long shadows and using harsh contrasts. By understanding the principles of dramatic lighting, filmmakers can use this technique to elevate their storytelling and create a more immersive and engaging experience for their audience.
Created with: midjourney
Silhouette of Solitude: A Moment of Contemplation
A solitary figure sits by a window, their silhouette cast against the vibrant cityscape beyond. A single lightbulb hangs overhead, casting a warm glow on the scene. The mood is melancholic, contemplative, and tinged with loneliness. The silhouette’s mystery draws the viewer in, inviting them to ponder the figure’s thoughts and feelings.
Prompt
practical-lighting practical-lighting: Melancholy, isolation ; A lone figure, silhouetted against a window; medium-shot; Single Person; A dimly lit room with only the glow of a streetlamp outside; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A person is silhouetted in a window frame. A single lightbulb hangs from the ceiling and shines through the window.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : melancholy, contemplative, lonely
Quality
Entropy : 4.17
Noise : 95
Prompt Clip Score : 0.25
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.30
Image errors : The image has a slight vignette effect and some graininess. It looks like it was taken with an older film camera.
Heroic Silhouette Against a Golden Sunset
A powerful superhero stands tall on a rooftop, gazing out at the sprawling cityscape bathed in the warm glow of a golden hour sunset. The scene evokes a sense of hope and power, with the dramatic lighting and the hero’s pose creating a truly epic moment.
Prompt
practical-lighting practical-lighting: Hopeful, triumphant ; A superhero standing on a rooftop, bathed in the warm light of a setting sun; medium-shot; Hero; A cityscape with skyscrapers in the background; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A superhero stands on a rooftop overlooking a city skyline, facing away from the viewer, with the sun setting in the background.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : epic, heroic, hopeful
Quality
Entropy : 6.48
Noise : 97
Prompt Clip Score : 0.24
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : Some minor artifacts are visible in the cityscape, particularly in the distant buildings. The superhero’s figure appears slightly unnatural, with a somewhat plastic-like quality.
A Glimpse of Warmth and Intimacy: A Family Gathering
In the soft glow of a dimly lit room, a family shares a meal and conversation around a beautifully set table. The scene, captured from an elevated perspective, exudes warmth and intimacy, with a touch of mystery added by the play of shadows. The simple yet elegant decor adds to the contemplative mood, making this a moment worth cherishing.
Prompt
practical-lighting practical-lighting: Intimate, heartwarming ; A family gathered around a dinner table, illuminated by the soft glow of a chandelier; studio; Normal People; A cozy kitchen with warm, inviting colors; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A family is sitting around a dining table in a dimly lit kitchen, having a meal.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : cozy, intimate, domestic
Quality
Entropy : 6.32
Noise : 79
Prompt Clip Score : 0.29
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.30
Image errors : The lighting is uneven, with some areas being too dark and others too bright. The shadows are also a bit harsh and unnaturally defined. The overall image quality is a bit soft and grainy.
Lost in the Shadows: A Man’s Solitary Struggle
A solitary figure hunches over paperwork in a dimly lit room, illuminated only by a single lamp. The rain outside paints the city in shades of gray, mirroring the mood of the man. Stacks of papers line the shelves, hinting at the weight of his responsibilities. This evocative image captures a sense of isolation and mystery, leaving the viewer to ponder the man’s story.
Prompt
practical-lighting practical-lighting: Intense, suspenseful ; A detective hunched over a desk, illuminated by a single desk lamp; medium-shot; Single Person; A cluttered office with stacks of papers and a flickering neon sign outside the window; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A man is hunched over a desk, lit by a single lamp, in a dimly lit office. He is working on papers with a pen. There is a window in the background that shows a city street at night. The desk is cluttered with papers and a pile of papers is in the foreground.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : dark, mysterious, focused
Quality
Entropy : 6.03
Noise : 100
Prompt Clip Score : 0.30
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.10
Image errors : There are no visible artifacts or errors in the image.
Eerie Glow in the Foggy Forest
A solitary figure stands shrouded in mystery before a luminous tree in a dark, fog-filled forest. The tree’s internal glow casts an eerie light, creating a sense of foreboding and intrigue. The scene evokes a sense of the unknown, drawing the viewer into its enigmatic depths.
Prompt
practical-lighting practical-lighting: Mysterious, adventurous ; A warrior standing in a dark forest, illuminated by the flickering flames of a campfire; medium-shot; Hero; A dense forest with towering trees and shadows; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure stands in a dark forest, silhouetted against a large, glowing tree, with a fire in the foreground.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : mysterious, eerie, foreboding
Quality
Entropy : 5.21
Noise : 83
Prompt Clip Score : 0.28
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.90
Image errors : The image has some slight artifacts, especially around the edges of the tree, and the figure seems slightly out of focus.
Golden Hour Melancholy
A young woman finds solace in the quiet beauty of a setting sun, bathed in warm light as she sits alone on a park bench. The scene evokes a sense of peaceful introspection, with the long shadows adding a touch of melancholy.
Prompt
practical-lighting practical-lighting: Peaceful, contemplative ; A young woman sitting on a park bench, bathed in the soft light of a streetlamp; medium-shot; Normal People; A quiet park with trees and benches; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A woman sits on a bench in a park at sunset, with a lamppost in the foreground and trees in the background.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : calm, peaceful, reflective
Quality
Entropy : 6.66
Noise : 112
Prompt Clip Score : 0.28
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.10
Image errors : Some minor noise is visible in the image, particularly in the shadows.
Unveiling the Secrets: A Scientist’s Focused Pursuit in a Dimly Lit Lab
A scientist, clad in a white coat, meticulously examines a specimen under a microscope. The dim lighting casts an air of mystery and intrigue, highlighting the seriousness of their work amidst a backdrop of laboratory instruments and equipment.
Prompt
practical-lighting practical-lighting: Focused, analytical ; A scientist working in a laboratory, illuminated by the bright light of a microscope; medium-shot; Single Person; A sterile laboratory with rows of equipment; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A scientist in a lab, wearing a lab coat, is working at a table with a microscope and other laboratory equipment. The image is lit with fluorescent lights, giving it a sterile and clinical feel.
Aesthetic Score : 0.5
Mood : sterile, clinical, focused
Quality
Entropy : 6.12
Noise : 93
Prompt Clip Score : 0.23
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.00
Image errors : The image is grainy and has a bit of a dated feel, and the lighting is not ideal.
Bonfire Night on the Beach: A Serene Gathering Under the Stars
A group of friends gather around a crackling bonfire on a dark, starlit beach. The scene evokes a sense of warmth, camaraderie, and tranquility, with the dramatic contrast between the fire and the night sky adding a touch of magic.
Prompt
practical-lighting practical-lighting: Joyful, celebratory ; A group of friends gathered around a bonfire, their faces illuminated by the dancing flames; studio; Normal People; A beach with sand and waves; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A group of people are standing around a bonfire on a beach at night. The fire is large and casting a warm glow on the people and the sand. The sky is dark and cloudy, with a few stars visible.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : joyful, warm, cozy
Quality
Entropy : 5.04
Noise : 87
Prompt Clip Score : 0.28
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.10
Image errors : None.
Lost in the Shadows: A Figure Walks into the Unknown
A solitary figure navigates a dimly lit alleyway, the wet pavement reflecting the flickering streetlamp. Graffiti-covered brick walls add to the atmosphere of mystery and intrigue, leaving the viewer wondering what awaits around the corner.
Prompt
practical-lighting practical-lighting: Eerie, suspenseful ; A lone figure walking down a dark alleyway, illuminated by the flickering light of a streetlamp; medium-shot; Single Person; A dark alleyway with graffiti and shadows; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure walks through a dark, narrow alleyway. The walls are brick and graffitied, and the street is wet from rain. A single light shines from above, casting long shadows.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : mysterious, suspenseful, lonely
Quality
Entropy : 5.28
Noise : 91
Prompt Clip Score : 0.25
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.30
Image errors : There are no significant image errors. The image is well-exposed and the colors are balanced.
Batman’s Silhouette: A Dark Knight in the City Lights
A captivating image of Batman standing on a rooftop, his silhouette stark against the glittering cityscape. The mood is dark and mysterious, highlighting the hero’s power and the shadows he fights within.
Prompt
practical-lighting practical-lighting: Powerful, dramatic ; A superhero standing on a rooftop, silhouetted against the bright lights of a city skyline; medium-shot; Hero; A cityscape with skyscrapers and neon signs; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A silhouette of Batman standing on a rooftop overlooking a city skyline at night.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : dark, mysterious, heroic
Quality
Entropy : 6.20
Noise : 85
Prompt Clip Score : 0.23
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.70
Image errors : Some of the lights in the cityscape appear blurry and unrealistic. The background seems somewhat artificial.
Conclusion
The generative AI model performed okay in terms of camera position and shot analysis, but very well in terms of aesthetic analysis. Here’s a breakdown:
- Camera Position: The model scored 0.2, which is below the “good” range of 0.5 to 0.75. This suggests the model struggled to accurately interpret and implement the camera position specified in the prompt.
- Shot Analysis: The model scored 0.485, also below the “good” range. This indicates the model had some difficulty understanding the scene described in the prompt and translating it into a visually coherent shot.
- Aesthetic Analysis: The model scored 0.15, which falls within the “very good” range of -0.2 to 0.1. This means the generated image closely matched the expected aesthetic style, demonstrating the model’s ability to capture the desired visual feel.
Overall, while the model excelled in capturing the desired aesthetic, it struggled with accurately interpreting camera position and shot composition. This suggests the model may need further training to improve its understanding of these aspects of image generation.