Lightning Strikes: A Visual Analysis of AI-Generated Imagery with Stable-diffusion
- 9 minutes read - 1860 words
Table of Contents
The power of lightning has long captivated artists and storytellers, its dramatic flashes illuminating scenes with a raw intensity. In the realm of AI-generated imagery, replicating this visual impact presents a unique challenge. This article explores the capabilities of AI in capturing the dramatic essence of lightning, analyzing the results of a prompt-based experiment and highlighting the strengths and limitations of this technology in visual storytelling.
Created with: stability-ai-core
A Solitary Figure Confronts the Fury of the Storm
A lone figure stands defiant against the elements, silhouetted against a dramatic lightning strike illuminating a stormy sea. The scene evokes a sense of power, isolation, and foreboding, leaving the viewer to ponder the figure’s fate.
Prompt
lightning backlighting: Melancholy, contemplative, powerful ; A lone figure standing on a cliff overlooking a vast, stormy sea; medium-shot; Single Person; Dramatic, stormy sky with crashing waves; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure stands on a rocky cliff overlooking a stormy sea with a dramatic lightning strike in the background.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mode : dramatic, awe-inspiring, powerful
Quality
Entropy : 6.62
Noise : 71
Prompt Clip Score : 0.30
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : There are no noticeable artifacts or errors.
Superman Stands Tall Against the Storm
A powerful silhouette against a fiery sunset, Superman dominates the cityscape as lightning strikes illuminate the sky. This epic scene captures the hero’s strength and unwavering resolve.
Prompt
lightning backlighting: Hopeful, triumphant, inspiring ; A superhero silhouetted against the rising sun, cape billowing in the wind; medium-shot; Hero; City skyline with skyscrapers; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A superhero stands on a rooftop overlooking a city skyline, with a dramatic cloudy sky and lightning bolts in the background.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mode : epic, heroic, dramatic
Quality
Entropy : 6.69
Noise : 66
Prompt Clip Score : 0.25
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.70
Image errors : The lighting is a bit too bright and the lightning bolts look a bit artificial.
Lost in the City Lights
A young woman wanders through a bustling city at night, her thoughtful gaze and the play of light and shadow creating a sense of mystery and nostalgia. The urban landscape, with its glowing signs and blurred background, adds to the feeling of being lost in thought.
Prompt
lightning backlighting: Nostalgic, intimate, hopeful ; A young woman walking through a bustling city street, her face illuminated by the warm glow of a streetlamp; medium-shot; Normal People; Busy city street with neon signs; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A woman walks through a city street at night. The street is lit up with neon signs, and there are people walking in the background.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mode : melancholy, urban, mysterious
Quality
Entropy : 6.59
Noise : 69
Prompt Clip Score : 0.31
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : No noticeable artifacts, but the image is a bit grainy.
Lost in Thought, Bathed in Shadows
A solitary figure, shrouded in mystery, sits at a dimly lit bar. His gaze, fixed directly on the viewer, invites contemplation. The low lighting and his serious expression create an atmosphere of intrigue, leaving you wondering what secrets he holds.
Prompt
lightning backlighting: Mysterious, brooding, lonely ; A man sitting alone in a dimly lit bar, his face obscured by shadows; medium-shot; Single Person; Dark, smoky bar with flickering lights; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A man sits alone at a bar, wearing a leather jacket and looking directly at the camera with a stoic expression. A glass of beer sits in front of him.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mode : mysterious, moody, introspective
Quality
Entropy : 5.62
Noise : 62
Prompt Clip Score : 0.31
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.30
Image errors : There is some noise in the image, particularly in the shadows.
Friends Gather ‘Round the Campfire Under a Dramatic Sky
A group of friends share laughter and stories around a crackling campfire, bathed in the warm glow of the flames. A sudden lightning strike illuminates the night sky, adding a touch of awe and wonder to their cozy gathering. This scene captures the essence of adventure, nostalgia, and the joy of shared moments under the stars.
Prompt
lightning backlighting: Warm, friendly, nostalgic ; A group of friends laughing and talking around a campfire; medium-shot; Normal People; Forest clearing with a campfire and stars; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A group of friends are sitting around a campfire in a forest at night. There is a lightning bolt in the sky above them. They are all smiling and laughing. There is a relaxed and comfortable mood in the image.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mode : cozy, friendship, adventurous
Quality
Entropy : 6.08
Noise : 78
Prompt Clip Score : 0.33
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.10
Image errors : No notable errors are visible
Shadows and Secrets: A Noir Tale Unfolds in the Alley
A lone figure, shrouded in darkness, navigates a dimly lit cobblestone alley. The atmosphere is thick with mystery and danger, hinting at a story waiting to be told. The play of light and shadow, the wisps of smoke, and the man’s enigmatic expression all contribute to a sense of intrigue and suspense.
Prompt
lightning backlighting: Suspenseful, mysterious, dangerous ; A detective standing in a dark alleyway, cigarette smoke swirling around them; medium-shot; Hero; Dark, gritty alleyway with flickering streetlights; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A man in a trench coat walks down a dark and moody alley. The lighting is low key and the shadows are deep, giving the image a sense of mystery and intrigue. The stormy sky and the street lights cast a dramatic light on the man’s face.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mode : mysterious, moody, dramatic
Quality
Entropy : 6.36
Noise : 68
Prompt Clip Score : 0.33
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.60
Image errors : There are some minor artifacts around the lightning strike in the sky. The brick texture is slightly repetitive and appears to be generated.
A Moment of Reflection in the Storm
A young woman, bathed in the glow of a lightning strike, gazes out at a rain-soaked city. Her pensive expression and the dramatic backdrop create a mood of melancholy and tension.
Prompt
lightning backlighting: Lonely, contemplative, melancholic ; A young girl gazing out of a window at a rainy cityscape; medium-shot; Single Person; Rainy cityscape with neon lights; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A young woman stands by a window, looking out at a rainy cityscape with a lightning bolt visible behind her. The window is wet from the rain, creating a blurry and atmospheric effect.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mode : melancholy, moody, introspective
Quality
Entropy : 6.44
Noise : 69
Prompt Clip Score : 0.33
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : No noticeable image errors
The Codebreaker: A Man on the Edge of Discovery
In a dimly lit lab, a man in a lab coat sits hunched over a computer, his face illuminated by the screen’s glow. The intensity of his focus is palpable, as he navigates complex data and diagrams, pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration. The atmosphere is charged with suspense, hinting at a breakthrough on the horizon.
Prompt
lightning backlighting: Intriguing, focused, determined ; A scientist working late in a laboratory, their face illuminated by the glow of a computer screen; medium-shot; Hero; Laboratory with complex machinery; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A man in a white lab coat sits at a computer in a dimly lit room with other computers in the background. The image is likely a still from a film or TV show.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mode : serious, focused, professional
Quality
Entropy : 6.41
Noise : 63
Prompt Clip Score : 0.24
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image has some slight artifacts and blurring, particularly around the edges of the subject and the computer screens. This is likely due to compression or editing.
Golden Hour Romance on the Beach
A trio strolls along a sandy shore as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in warm hues. Their silhouettes against the fiery sunset evoke a sense of mystery and longing, capturing the essence of a romantic, peaceful, and nostalgic moment.
Prompt
lightning backlighting: Romantic, peaceful, hopeful ; A couple walking hand-in-hand along a beach at sunset; medium-shot; Normal People; Beach with golden sand and crashing waves; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : Three people, two women and one man, are walking along a beach at sunset. The sun is setting in the background, casting a golden glow over the scene. The people are silhouetted against the sky, and the waves are lapping at the shore.
Aesthetic Score : 0.75
Mode : romantic, serene, nostalgic
Quality
Entropy : 6.69
Noise : 60
Prompt Clip Score : 0.29
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image is slightly overexposed, but this is a minor issue. The only noticeable artifact is the slight distortion of the people in the foreground, which is likely due to the wide-angle lens used to take the photo.
Silhouettes in the Spotlight: A Tale of Mystery and Suspense
Two men stand shrouded in darkness, their forms illuminated only by a single, piercing spotlight. The scene evokes a sense of mystery and suspense, leaving the viewer to wonder what secrets lie hidden in the shadows.
Prompt
lightning backlighting: Dramatic, powerful, isolated ; A lone figure standing on a stage, bathed in the spotlight; studio; Single Person; Stage with a spotlight and dark background; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : Two figures stand on a stage, silhouetted against a single spotlight in a dark room.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mode : mysterious, dramatic, anticipation
Quality
Entropy : 5.25
Noise : 54
Prompt Clip Score : 0.26
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : No visible errors in this image.
Conclusion
The results show that the generative AI model performed okay in terms of camera position and shot analysis, but not so well in terms of aesthetic analysis. Here’s a breakdown:
- Camera Position: The model scored 0.15, which is below the “good” range of 0.5 to 0.75. This suggests that the model didn’t quite capture the intended camera position from the prompt.
- Shot Analysis: The model scored 0.55, which falls within the “good” range. This indicates that the model was able to understand the scene in the prompt reasonably well, but could be better.
- Aesthetic Analysis: The model scored 0.04, which is far from the “very good” range of -0.2 to 0.1. This means the generated image’s aesthetic deviated significantly from the expected aesthetic based on the prompt.
Overall, the model needs improvement in understanding the desired aesthetic and camera position. It performed better in understanding the scene, but still has room for improvement.