AI's Struggle with Noir: Can Machines Capture the Gritty Charm? with Flux-pro
- 10 minutes read - 1991 wordsTable of Contents
Film noir, with its stark contrasts, shadowy figures, and gritty realism, has captivated audiences for decades. But can AI truly capture the essence of this iconic style? This article explores the capabilities and limitations of generative AI in recreating the visual language of film noir, analyzing its performance in capturing camera angles, shot types, and the overall mood of the genre. We’ll examine how AI excels in technical aspects but struggles to capture the artistic vision that defines film noir, highlighting the ongoing quest for AI to truly understand and replicate human creativity.
Created with: flux-pro
Lost in the Shadows: A Nighttime Stroll Through a Mysterious Alley
A solitary figure navigates a dimly lit, rain-slicked alleyway, illuminated only by the warm glow of red lanterns and a street sign. The play of light and shadow creates an atmosphere of intrigue and mystery, hinting at a story waiting to unfold.
Prompt
Film noir: Gritty, determined, melancholic ; A lone detective; medium shot; Heroism; A dimly lit alleyway with rain pouring down, neon signs reflecting in puddles.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure walks down a narrow, rain-soaked alleyway, illuminated by red lanterns and a sign. The alley is lined with brick buildings on both sides.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : mysterious, atmospheric, lonely
Quality
Entropy : 6.48
Noise : 114
Prompt Clip Score : 0.29
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.50
Image errors : There is a slight blur in the rain and the figure. The colors are slightly oversaturated, especially the red lights.
Lost in the Shadows of a Foreign City
A solitary figure walks through a dimly lit street, bathed in the warm glow of lanterns. The scene evokes a sense of mystery and intrigue, hinting at a story waiting to unfold in the shadows of this foreign city.
Prompt
Film noir: Suspenseful, mysterious, thrilling ; A shadowy figure escaping through a maze of narrow streets; long shot; Adventure; A bustling night market with flickering lanterns and crowded stalls.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A misty alleyway with a street vendor at the end. Three people walk in the distance, one wearing a hooded jacket.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : mysterious, dark, urban
Quality
Entropy : 6.13
Noise : 77
Prompt Clip Score : 0.30
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.10
Image errors : Slight noise and grain in the image.
Ace of Spades: A Hand of Mystery in the Casino
A hand holds three playing cards, including the ace of spades, against a blurred backdrop of a bustling casino. The mysterious atmosphere and suspenseful mood are heightened by the dramatic effect of the blurred background, drawing the viewer’s attention to the cards and the secrets they hold.
Prompt
Film noir: Intense, suspenseful, dangerous ; A gambler’s hand holding a pair of aces; close-up; Gaming; A smoky, dimly lit casino with flashing lights and the sound of slot machines.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A hand holding three aces in front of a blurry background of a casino or gambling room
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : exciting, mysterious, suspenseful
Quality
Entropy : 6.52
Noise : 56
Prompt Clip Score : 0.26
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : No noticeable errors in the image
Nostalgia on the Open Road: A Vintage Car Disappears into the Storm
A vintage car races down a lonely road as the sky darkens, hinting at an approaching storm. The car’s taillights pierce the gloom, creating a sense of mystery and cinematic drama. A distant motel sign promises respite, but the mood is undeniably nostalgic and lonely.
Prompt
Film noir: Lonely, melancholic, atmospheric ; A vintage car speeding through a deserted highway; wide shot; Tourism; A desolate, rain-soaked landscape with a lone motel in the distance.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A classic car driving on a deserted highway under a dramatic, stormy sky. A motel sign is visible in the distance, creating a sense of isolation and mystery.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : nostalgic, melancholic, mysterious
Quality
Entropy : 6.52
Noise : 70
Prompt Clip Score : 0.30
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image has some slight graininess and a bit of noise, particularly in the darker areas. The lighting is a bit uneven, with the car appearing overexposed.
Lost in the Blur of City Lights
A woman gazes out of a train window, her reflection lost in the rain-streaked glass. The blurred city lights and wet streets create a sense of melancholy and isolation, reflecting her contemplative mood.
Prompt
Film noir: Nostalgic, melancholic, introspective ; A woman looking out of a train window at a passing cityscape; medium shot; Travel; A dark, rainy cityscape with towering buildings and flickering streetlights.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A woman is sitting by a train window, looking out at a rainy city scene at night. The city lights are blurred and reflected in the wet window.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : melancholy, pensive, urban
Quality
Entropy : 6.61
Noise : 85
Prompt Clip Score : 0.29
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : There is some slight noise in the image, especially around the edges. This could be due to compression or low lighting conditions.
Shadows and Secrets: A Moment of Intrigue in a Dimly Lit Room
Two figures, shrouded in shadow, share a moment of unspoken tension on a dimly lit couch. The room, filled with mystery and intrigue, hints at a story waiting to unfold. A single lamp casts a warm glow, illuminating the figures and their enigmatic expressions. The scene is both captivating and unsettling, leaving the viewer to wonder what secrets lie hidden in the darkness.
Prompt
Film noir: Intimate, tense, claustrophobic ; A family huddled together in a dimly lit room; medium shot; Family; A cramped apartment with peeling paint and a flickering gas lamp.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : Two figures, a woman and a man, are seated on a couch in a dimly lit room with a large window. The room is furnished with a side table and a dresser, both of which are dark.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : mysterious, somber, intimate
Quality
Entropy : 6.16
Noise : 78
Prompt Clip Score : 0.23
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image has some minor artifacts, particularly in the shadows. There is also some noise in the image, which is likely due to the low lighting conditions.
Lost in the Shadows: A Noir Tale Unfolds in the Rain
A lone figure, shrouded in darkness and smoke, stands amidst the pouring rain of a city street. His fedora casts a shadow over his face, hinting at a past shrouded in mystery. This evocative scene, steeped in noir aesthetics, promises a story of intrigue and danger.
Prompt
Film noir: Mysterious, brooding, contemplative ; A detective’s silhouette against a window, cigarette smoke swirling around him; low-angle shot; Heroism; A rain-soaked city street with neon signs reflecting in the puddles.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A man in a hat and trench coat stands in the rain, smoking a cigarette. He is silhouetted against the bright lights of the city.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : mysterious, urban, moody
Quality
Entropy : 6.16
Noise : 78
Prompt Clip Score : 0.29
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.30
Image errors : The image is slightly blurry, especially in the background.
Shadowy Figure, Deadly Intent: A Gun-Wielding Threat in the Darkness
A chilling scene unfolds in a dimly lit alley, where a figure brandishes a gun, their face obscured by the shadows. A mysterious figure lurks in the distance, adding to the palpable tension and suspense. The low-light and focus on the weapon create a sense of impending danger, leaving the viewer questioning the motives and the outcome of this ominous encounter.
Prompt
Film noir: Suspenseful, dangerous, threatening ; A close-up of a hand holding a gun, the barrel pointed at a shadowy figure; extreme close-up; Adventure; A dark, smoky back alley with a flickering streetlight.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A person is holding a handgun in a dark alley with a blurry figure in the background.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : dark, suspenseful, mysterious
Quality
Entropy : 6.11
Noise : 58
Prompt Clip Score : 0.28
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.30
Image errors : The image has a slight chromatic aberration, resulting in a color fringing effect around the edges of the handgun. It also has a subtle graininess, likely due to the low-light conditions.
The Spin of Fortune: A Roulette Wheel’s Enthralling Dance
A close-up view of a roulette wheel spinning in a dimly lit casino, capturing the anticipation and excitement of the game. The blurred background of people and a chandelier adds to the mysterious and suspenseful atmosphere.
Prompt
Film noir: Intense, suspenseful, unpredictable ; A roulette wheel spinning, the ball landing on a single number; close-up; Gaming; A dimly lit casino with the sound of chips clinking and people whispering.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : Close up of a roulette wheel in a dimly lit casino setting with blurry figures in the background.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : mysterious, exciting, suspenseful
Quality
Entropy : 6.30
Noise : 61
Prompt Clip Score : 0.25
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : There are no significant errors, but the image is a bit blurry.
Lost in the Mist: A Solitary Figure Seeks the Lighthouse
A melancholic mood hangs heavy in the air as a lone figure walks towards a distant lighthouse on a wooden pier. The misty sea creates a sense of isolation and mystery, leaving the viewer to ponder the figure’s journey and the secrets held within the lighthouse’s beacon.
Prompt
Film noir: Lonely, melancholic, atmospheric ; A lone figure walking down a deserted pier, the ocean waves crashing against the pilings; long shot; Travel; A foggy, desolate coastline with a lighthouse in the distance.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A solitary figure walks along a wooden pier towards a lighthouse in a misty, overcast sky.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : melancholy, mysterious, contemplative
Quality
Entropy : 6.75
Noise : 61
Prompt Clip Score : 0.27
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : No visible errors
Conclusion
The results show that the generative AI model performed well in terms of camera position and shot analysis, but struggled with aesthetic analysis. Here’s a breakdown:
Camera Position:
- Score: 0.48
- Interpretation: This score falls below the “good” range of 0.5 to 0.75. It suggests that the model’s ability to accurately interpret and reproduce camera positions from the prompt is somewhat lacking.
Shot Analysis:
- Score: 0.58
- Interpretation: This score falls within the “good” range of 0.5 to 0.75. It indicates that the model is generally capable of understanding the scene described in the prompt and creating images that reflect the intended shot type.
Aesthetic Analysis:
- Score: 0.29
- Interpretation: This score is significantly below the “very good” range of -0.2 to 0.1. It suggests that the model struggled to match the expected aesthetic of the image as described in the prompt. This could mean the generated image had a different style, color palette, or overall feel than what was intended.
Overall:
While the model shows promise in understanding camera positions and shot types, it needs improvement in capturing the desired aesthetic. This suggests that the model might be better at replicating technical aspects of a scene but struggles with capturing the artistic vision.
Sources:
- https://heartofnoir.com/knowing-noir/aesthetic-of-noir/
- https://www.yellowbrick.co/blog/film/maximizing-the-visual-impact-unveiling-the-art-of-film-aesthetics
- https://www.questjournals.org/jrhss/papers/vol10-issue8/1008255260.pdf
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/3331672
- https://www.cinepoetics.fu-berlin.de/activities/workshops/2020-12-ws/index.html
- https://resource.download.wjec.co.uk/vtc/2016-17/16-17_1-22/eng/Part%201%20What%20is%20Aesthetics.pdf
- https://fal.ai/models/fal-ai/flux-pro/api