AI's Artistic Struggle: Capturing the 'Dramatic' Aesthetic with Midjourney
- 9 minutes read - 1916 wordsTable of Contents
The ‘dramatic’ aesthetic, characterized by strong contrasts, intense lighting, and a sense of grandeur, is often used in film, photography, and art to evoke powerful emotions. But can AI truly capture this style? This article explores the challenges and successes of AI in replicating the dramatic aesthetic, analyzing its performance in understanding scene composition and capturing the desired style. We’ll examine specific examples and discuss the potential for AI to improve its ability to generate images that truly embody the dramatic aesthetic.
Created with: midjourney
A Lone Figure Walks Towards the Setting Sun
A melancholic yet hopeful scene unfolds as a lone figure, possibly a knight, traverses a muddy field with his sword drawn. The setting sun casts a dramatic silhouette against a sky filled with dramatic clouds, hinting at a journey into the unknown.
Prompt
Baroque: Epic, melancholic ; A lone knight, silhouetted against a setting sun; wide shot; Heroism; A vast, desolate battlefield littered with fallen soldiers.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure in silhouette walks across a vast, muddy plain towards a beautiful sunset, the light filtering through the clouds in a dramatic way.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : epic, dramatic, melancholic
Quality
Entropy : 6.32
Noise : 101
Prompt Clip Score : 0.28
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : There are some minor artifacts in the sky, particularly around the sun. The lighting on the figure also appears a bit unnatural.
Galleon Battles a Furious Storm
A majestic galleon faces the wrath of a violent storm, with lightning illuminating the sky and crashing waves threatening to engulf the ship. The dramatic scene captures the intensity and danger of the moment, leaving viewers breathless.
Prompt
Baroque: Dramatic, thrilling ; A pirate ship, sails billowing in the wind, crashing through stormy waves; dynamic, close-up; Adventure; A raging sea with lightning illuminating the sky.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A tall ship sailing through a stormy sea, with lightning in the sky and large waves crashing around it.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : dramatic, adventurous, stormy
Quality
Entropy : 6.64
Noise : 108
Prompt Clip Score : 0.32
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.90
Image errors : Some minor artifacts are visible in the water and sky, especially around the edges of the ship. The lightning appears somewhat artificial, but it’s a minor issue.
A Hand Reaches for the Future
A mysterious hand extends from a futuristic cockpit, reaching towards a sprawling cityscape. The scene evokes a sense of anticipation and tension, hinting at a journey into the unknown.
Prompt
Baroque: Intense, focused ; A player’s hand, gripping a controller, illuminated by the glow of a screen; close-up; Gaming; A chaotic, pixelated cityscape on the screen.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A futuristic cityscape, seen from a cockpit, with a hand reaching out to touch the window. The image is full of detail and has a moody atmosphere.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : futuristic, cyberpunk, mysterious
Quality
Entropy : 6.50
Noise : 100
Prompt Clip Score : 0.28
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.90
Image errors : There are some minor artifacts and blurriness in the image. The hand is slightly blurred and the city buildings are a bit too smooth. The lighting is inconsistent, and the shadows on the hand don’t match the shadows on the buildings.
A Cathedral Wedding Bathed in Golden Light
Capture the grandeur and solemnity of a wedding ceremony held in a magnificent cathedral. The warm sunlight streaming through the dome illuminates the intricate gold details and creates a dramatic, luxurious atmosphere. The bride in her white gown stands at the center of the scene, surrounded by guests, making this a truly unforgettable moment.
Prompt
Baroque: Opulent, vibrant ; A grand, ornate palace, bathed in golden sunlight; wide shot; Tourism; A bustling marketplace with vibrant colors and exotic goods.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A grand, opulent cathedral with ornate gold decorations. The interior is bathed in warm, golden light. The image likely depicts a wedding or other ceremony.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : grand, majestic, opulent
Quality
Entropy : 6.81
Noise : 125
Prompt Clip Score : 0.31
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.70
Image errors : Some of the details, especially on the figures, are a bit blurry and lack detail, which might point to AI generation.
A Solitary Journey Through a Serene Mountain Valley
A lone figure traverses a winding road amidst snow-capped peaks, the overcast sky casting a subdued light. The image evokes a sense of isolation and serenity, with the vastness of the mountains emphasizing the smallness of the figure and creating a feeling of awe.
Prompt
Baroque: Awe-inspiring, contemplative ; A lone traveler, gazing out at a breathtaking mountain range; medium shot; Travel; A vast, snow-capped mountain range with a winding road leading into the distance.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A solitary figure walks on a winding road in the valley between snow-capped mountains. The image has a cool color tone and the sky is hazy.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : serene, lonely, vast
Quality
Entropy : 6.44
Noise : 108
Prompt Clip Score : 0.28
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image has some slight noise in the shadows and a few compressed pixels.
Cozy Christmas Gathering by the Fire
A group of people huddle around a crackling fireplace in a dimly lit room, bathed in the warm glow of the flames. Framed portraits line the walls, and Christmas greenery adds a festive touch. The scene evokes a sense of cozy intimacy, but also a hint of mystery and suspense.
Prompt
Baroque: Warm, intimate ; A family gathered around a fireplace, sharing stories and laughter; medium shot; Family; A cozy, candlelit room with portraits of ancestors on the walls.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A group of people are gathered around a fireplace in a dimly lit room. There is a christmas garland above the fireplace and paintings on the wall.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : cozy, warm, intimate
Quality
Entropy : 6.07
Noise : 100
Prompt Clip Score : 0.33
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image is slightly overexposed in the center, making it hard to see the details of the fire. There are also some artifacts in the background, including the paintings and the christmas garland, that could be cleaned up.
A Knight’s Tale: Epic Heroism in a Blaze of Glory
This dramatic scene captures the essence of heroism, with a knight in full armor, sword drawn, standing against a fiery backdrop. The use of light and shadow, the dynamic pose, and the billowing cloak create a sense of epic grandeur and excitement.
Prompt
Baroque: Brave, determined ; A knight, charging into battle, his armor gleaming in the sunlight; dynamic, close-up; Heroism; A chaotic battlefield with smoke and dust swirling in the air.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A knight in full armor is standing in a fiery battlefield, possibly during a battle or a moment of triumph. The image has a strong, dramatic feel.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : epic, dramatic, intense
Quality
Entropy : 6.65
Noise : 104
Prompt Clip Score : 0.29
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.90
Image errors : The image has a slight blurriness, especially around the edges and the background, indicating possible over-sharpening or compression artifacts. The composition feels a bit cramped, with the knight’s head being slightly cut off.
A Candlelit Treasure Awaits in the Depths of a Mysterious Cave
An open treasure chest, bathed in the flickering light of a single candle, sits atop a pile of gold coins. Cobwebs and dripping golden liquid add to the dark and mysterious atmosphere of this hidden cave, hinting at a thrilling adventure and a valuable prize within.
Prompt
Baroque: Intriguing, mysterious ; A treasure chest, overflowing with gold and jewels, illuminated by a single candle; close-up; Adventure; A dark, mysterious cave with cobwebs and shadows.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : An open treasure chest with a lit candle inside, sitting on a bed of glittering gold coins and surrounded by dark and mysterious surroundings
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : mysterious, enchanting, adventurous
Quality
Entropy : 5.65
Noise : 90
Prompt Clip Score : 0.27
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.70
Image errors : The texture of the gold coins and the background look somewhat artificial and repetitive
A Solitary Figure Contemplates the Grand Canyon’s Majesty
A lone figure stands on a cliff edge, dwarfed by the vastness of a deep canyon. A waterfall cascades down the opposite side, illuminating the craggy rock walls with veins of glowing orange. The scene evokes a sense of mystery, epic scale, and dramatic isolation.
Prompt
Baroque: Triumphant, surreal ; A player’s avatar, standing triumphantly on a virtual mountain peak; wide shot; Gaming; A fantastical, digital landscape with glowing waterfalls and floating islands.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure stands on a cliff overlooking a deep canyon with waterfalls and glowing orange lines descending down the cliff faces. The scene has a futuristic, otherworldly feel.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : mysterious, epic, dramatic
Quality
Entropy : 6.56
Noise : 99
Prompt Clip Score : 0.31
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.90
Image errors : The image has some minor artifacts and noise, particularly in the fog and the background. The figure is also somewhat blurry.
A Bird’s Eye View of Bustling Italian Life
From above, a vibrant European square unfolds, showcasing the intricate beauty of historical architecture and the lively energy of everyday life. The high vantage point emphasizes the grandeur and scale of the scene, capturing the movement of people and the intricate patterns of the square.
Prompt
Baroque: Energetic, lively ; A bustling city square, filled with people from all walks of life; wide shot; Tourism; A grand, Baroque cathedral towering over the city.; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : Aerial view of a large, bustling square with a maze-like pattern and many people walking around.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : busy, urban, historic
Quality
Entropy : 6.81
Noise : 117
Prompt Clip Score : 0.29
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.10
Image errors : The image has some slight graininess and a slight color cast. The resolution is also relatively low.
Conclusion
The results show 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 0.42, which is below the “good” range of 0.5 to 0.75. This suggests that the model didn’t perfectly capture the intended camera position described in the prompt.
- Shot Analysis: The model scored 0.6, falling within the “good” range. This indicates that the model was able to understand the scene and create a shot that was generally consistent with the prompt.
- Aesthetic Analysis: The model scored 0.18, which is significantly above the “very good” range of -0.2 to 0.1. This suggests that the generated image’s aesthetic style deviated significantly from the expected style.
Overall, the model shows promise in understanding scene composition and camera positioning, but needs improvement in capturing the desired aesthetic style.
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://midjourney.com