AI's Artistic Struggle: Capturing the 'Dramatic' Aesthetic with Midjourney
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The ‘dramatic’ aesthetic is a powerful tool in visual storytelling, evoking strong emotions and captivating viewers. It often involves dramatic lighting, contrasting colors, and dynamic compositions. But can AI truly capture this complex aesthetic? Recent experiments have shown promising results in terms of scene understanding and camera positioning, but the AI struggles to achieve the desired dramatic feel. This blog post explores the challenges and potential of AI in generating images with a dramatic aesthetic, using specific examples to illustrate its strengths and weaknesses.
Created with: midjourney
Solitude and Majesty: A Hiker Finds Peace Amidst the Mountains
A lone hiker stands on a mountain ridge, dwarfed by the majestic, snow-capped peaks. The overcast sky adds a sense of mystery and tranquility to the scene, highlighting the power of nature and the serenity of solitude.
Prompt
Cinema Verité: Awe-inspiring, determined ; A lone hiker; wide shot; Adventure; Majestic mountain range with snow-capped peaks; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone hiker stands on a mountain trail, gazing at a majestic snow-capped mountain range in the distance. The sky is overcast with clouds, adding a sense of mystery and solitude to the scene.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : tranquil, serene, awe-inspiring
Quality
Entropy : 6.66
Noise : 100
Prompt Clip Score : 0.29
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : No noticeable errors.
Firefighter Bravely Faces Blazing Inferno
A dramatic image captures the courage of a firefighter in full gear, standing defiantly against a backdrop of raging flames and billowing smoke. The scene evokes a sense of intensity and danger, highlighting the bravery of those who risk their lives to protect others.
Prompt
Cinema Verité: Urgent, heroic, chaotic ; A firefighter battling a blaze; close-up; Heroism; Smoke and flames engulfing a building; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A firefighter in full gear, facing away from the camera, is silhouetted against a backdrop of flames and smoke. The fire is intense and dangerous, but the firefighter is calm and focused.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : intense, dramatic, heroic
Quality
Entropy : 6.72
Noise : 90
Prompt Clip Score : 0.29
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.10
Image errors : There are no noticeable artifacts or errors in the image.
In the Zone: Hands on the Controller, Game On
A close-up shot captures the intensity of a gamer’s focus as they grip a PlayStation controller. The blurred background of the game playing on the TV screen adds to the sense of immersion, highlighting the pure joy and excitement of the gaming experience.
Prompt
Cinema Verité: Intense, focused, exhilarating ; A gamer’s hands furiously manipulating a controller; close-up; Gaming; Blurred background of a computer screen displaying a fast-paced game; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A person’s hands holding a game controller, with a blurry background of a video game on a monitor.
Aesthetic Score : 0.4
Mood : intense, focused, immersive
Quality
Entropy : 6.59
Noise : 92
Prompt Clip Score : 0.33
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : Some slight noise and grain, no major artifacts.
Love Story in the City Lights
A heartwarming scene of an older couple enjoying a moment of love and laughter on a bridge, capturing the city skyline in a photo. The image is beautifully lit, highlighting their genuine emotions and creating a sense of joy and contentment.
Prompt
Cinema Verité: Joyful, celebratory, memorable ; A family laughing and taking photos in front of a famous landmark; medium shot; Tourism; Vibrant cityscape with iconic architecture; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : An older couple is taking a picture in front of a cityscape with a tall tower in the background.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : joyful, affectionate, playful
Quality
Entropy : 6.77
Noise : 93
Prompt Clip Score : 0.31
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image has some minor noise and graininess, particularly in the background. The camera appears to be slightly out of focus, leading to some blurring.
Silhouettes of Solitude: A Parisian Sunset
A lone figure contemplates the city lights of Paris as the sun sets, casting a dramatic silhouette against the fiery sky. The Eiffel Tower stands tall in the distance, adding to the sense of melancholy and serenity.
Prompt
Cinema Verité: Tranquil, contemplative, awe-inspiring ; A backpacker gazing out at a breathtaking sunset over a foreign city; long shot; Travel; Silhouettes of buildings against a fiery sky; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure sits on a rooftop overlooking the city of Paris at sunset, with the Eiffel Tower in the distance.
Aesthetic Score : 0.75
Mood : melancholy, contemplative, serene
Quality
Entropy : 6.39
Noise : 88
Prompt Clip Score : 0.31
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : No significant artifacts or errors were found.
A Child’s Reach for Wonder
A joyful scene of innocence and anticipation as a child’s hand reaches out towards a butterfly amidst a vibrant field of wildflowers. The moment captures the pure wonder of childhood and the beauty of nature.
Prompt
Cinema Verité: Innocent, curious, heartwarming ; A young child’s hand reaching out to touch a butterfly; close-up; Family; Lush green meadow with wildflowers; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A child’s hand reaches out to a butterfly in a field of flowers
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : gentle, hopeful, playful
Quality
Entropy : 6.70
Noise : 93
Prompt Clip Score : 0.34
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : No noticeable errors
Confetti Rain and Cheers: The Joy of Victory
A sea of jubilant fans erupts in celebration, confetti raining down as they wave their hands in the air. The image captures the pure joy and excitement of a momentous victory, a moment etched in memory.
Prompt
Cinema Verité: Energetic, passionate, communal ; A group of friends cheering on their favorite team at a sporting event; wide shot; Heroism; Stadium filled with excited fans; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A crowd of people celebrating in a stadium, confetti falling from the sky, focus is on a woman in red sweater with her back turned to the camera, arms raised
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : joyful, celebratory, exciting
Quality
Entropy : 6.93
Noise : 105
Prompt Clip Score : 0.30
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : No significant errors, although some artifacts are present in the confetti.
Sun-Drenched Market Bustles with Life
A vibrant marketplace comes alive under the warm glow of the sun. The scene is filled with shoppers browsing colorful produce and other goods, creating a lively and inviting atmosphere. The sunbeams cast long shadows, highlighting the vibrant colors of the market.
Prompt
Cinema Verité: Adventurous, curious, vibrant ; A couple exploring a bustling market in a foreign country; medium shot; Travel; Colorful stalls overflowing with exotic goods; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A bustling marketplace with vibrant colors, fresh produce, and people walking through the narrow aisles. The warm sunlight creates a sense of depth and atmosphere.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : vibrant, bustling, lively
Quality
Entropy : 6.82
Noise : 111
Prompt Clip Score : 0.32
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : Minor artifacts present in some areas, especially in the background. Some blurring is noticeable, likely due to motion.
Eyes in the Dark: A Gaze That Pierces the Soul
A close-up shot captures the intensity of a single gaze, shrouded in darkness. The eyes, the only visible feature, hold a mysterious depth, creating a sense of tension and intrigue.
Prompt
Cinema Verité: Focused, intense, absorbed ; A gamer’s face lit by the glow of a computer screen, eyes glued to the action; close-up; Gaming; Dark room with only the screen illuminating the face; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : Close-up of a young man’s eyes staring intensely into the camera, with the rest of his face obscured by shadows.
Aesthetic Score : 0.4
Mood : intense, mysterious, dark
Quality
Entropy : 5.78
Noise : 69
Prompt Clip Score : 0.33
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image is slightly blurry and has some noise. The lighting is uneven, with some areas being too dark.
Campfire Serenity Under a Starry Sky
A cozy scene of three friends gathered around a crackling campfire, bathed in the warm glow of the flames. The starry sky above adds a sense of wonder and tranquility, evoking a feeling of peace and nostalgia.
Prompt
Cinema Verité: Warm, intimate, nostalgic ; A family sharing a meal together around a campfire; medium shot; Family; Campsite under a starry night sky; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : Three people are sitting around a campfire under a starry night. There are trees in the background.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : cozy, peaceful, nostalgic
Quality
Entropy : 5.75
Noise : 101
Prompt Clip Score : 0.34
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image is a little bit grainy and there are some slight artifacts in the stars.
Conclusion
The results indicate that the generative AI model performed well in understanding the scene and camera position, but struggled with achieving the desired aesthetic. Here’s a breakdown:
- Camera Position: The model scored 0.45, 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 0.54, which falls 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 0.09, which is significantly below the “very good” range of -0.2 to 0.1. This suggests that the generated image’s aesthetic deviated significantly from the expected aesthetic described in the prompt.
Overall, the model shows promise in understanding scene composition and camera positioning, but needs improvement in generating images that match the desired aesthetic.
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