AI's Gothic Journey: Exploring the Dramatic Style-Aesthetic with Midjourney
- 10 minutes read - 1968 wordsTable of Contents
The dramatic style-aesthetic, often associated with gothic imagery, evokes a sense of mystery, grandeur, and often a touch of darkness. This aesthetic is commonly found in literature, film, and art, and is characterized by elements like towering structures, dramatic lighting, and a sense of foreboding. In this blog post, we explore how a generative AI model interprets and translates this aesthetic into visual form, analyzing its strengths and weaknesses in capturing the essence of the dramatic style.
Created with: midjourney
Silhouetted Against the Blood Moon
A lone figure stands on the precipice, their silhouette stark against the crimson moon. A distant castle whispers of conflict, adding to the dramatic and melancholic mood of this epic scene.
Prompt
Gothic: Epic and melancholic ; A lone knight, silhouetted against a blood-red sunset; wide shot; Heroism; A crumbling castle on a windswept cliff; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure stands on a clifftop, silhouetted against a large, red moon. A castle is visible in the distance, while a faint crescent moon hangs in the cloudy sky.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : dramatic, mysterious, epic
Quality
Entropy : 6.35
Noise : 91
Prompt Clip Score : 0.34
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : The image has some minor brushstrokes that could be more refined, particularly in the sky and on the cliff face.
Whispers of Adventure: An Antique Map Unveiled by Candlelight
A worn, leather-bound book rests open on a wooden table, its pages revealing an antique world map bathed in the warm glow of candlelight. The scene evokes a sense of mystery and intrigue, inviting you to explore the secrets hidden within the map’s faded lines.
Prompt
Gothic: Intriguing and mysterious ; A weathered map, illuminated by flickering candlelight; close-up; Adventure; A dusty, cobweb-filled library; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : An open book with an old world map, lit by candles on a dark wooden table with cobwebs in a dimly lit library
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : mysterious, eerie, atmospheric
Quality
Entropy : 6.55
Noise : 80
Prompt Clip Score : 0.34
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : The map texture appears somewhat artificial and the cobwebs look a little too perfect.
Shattered Dreams: A Skeletal Hand Reaches Through Broken Glass
A chilling image of a skeletal hand piercing through shattered glass, a broken computer monitor and a discarded game controller in the background, evokes a sense of dark, eerie vulnerability. The scene speaks to the fragility of technology and the haunting remnants of a lost world.
Prompt
Gothic: Eerie and unsettling ; A skeletal hand reaching out from a cracked screen; close-up; Gaming; A dimly lit room filled with gaming consoles and flickering monitors; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A skeletal hand reaches through a shattered pane of glass, a broken computer monitor and other electronic equipment are scattered on a desk in the foreground.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : dark, eerie, mysterious
Quality
Entropy : 6.18
Noise : 105
Prompt Clip Score : 0.30
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 1.00
Image errors : The image is slightly blurry and the details on the skeletal hand are not very sharp. The lighting is uneven, creating some harsh shadows.
Lost in the Fog: A Solitary Walk Through Time
A lone figure, accompanied by their faithful dog, traverses a misty cobblestone street towards a distant cathedral. The scene evokes a sense of melancholy and isolation, leaving the viewer to ponder the mysteries hidden within the fog.
Prompt
Gothic: Awe-inspiring and melancholic ; A lone figure standing on a cobblestone street, gazing at a towering cathedral; medium shot; Tourism; A misty, rain-soaked European city; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A solitary figure walks down a cobblestone street in front of a large, imposing cathedral. The scene is shrouded in mist, giving it a mysterious and atmospheric feel.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : mysterious, atmospheric, eerie
Quality
Entropy : 6.36
Noise : 101
Prompt Clip Score : 0.38
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.10
Image errors : There are some slight imperfections in the image, particularly in the texture of the cobblestones and the edges of the buildings.
A Train Disappears into the Storm
A solitary train stands on a platform, shrouded in darkness and rain. The scene evokes a sense of mystery and melancholic anticipation, leaving the viewer wondering what lies ahead.
Prompt
Gothic: Dramatic and suspenseful ; A vintage train hurtling through a dark, stormy landscape; long shot; Travel; A desolate, gothic-inspired train station; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A train is parked at a station on a gloomy day. The sky is overcast with dark clouds, and the platform is wet from rain. The train is almost entirely in shadow, except for the windows, which are reflecting the dim light of the day.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : dark, mysterious, moody
Quality
Entropy : 6.36
Noise : 86
Prompt Clip Score : 0.34
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.50
Image errors : The image has a few minor artifacts, such as some slight blurring in the background. The overall quality is good.
Cozy Mystery in a Castle’s Embrace
A dimly lit room with a crackling fireplace sets the scene for a cozy and mysterious encounter. The warm glow of the fire and the natural light streaming through a stained-glass window create an inviting atmosphere, while the shadows cast by the darkness add a touch of intrigue. Two figures sit by the fire, their conversation shrouded in secrecy.
Prompt
Gothic: Warm and intimate ; A family huddled around a fireplace, shadows dancing on the walls; medium shot; Family; A grand, gothic-style mansion with stained glass windows; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A dimly lit room with gothic architecture and a fireplace. Two figures are sitting by the fire, one is reading a book and the other is looking at the fire. The room is decorated with dark wood and stained glass windows.
Aesthetic Score : 0.75
Mood : mysterious, cozy, romantic
Quality
Entropy : 5.27
Noise : 93
Prompt Clip Score : 0.33
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image has some minor artifacts, such as blurring around the edges of the figures.
Raven’s Watch: A Gothic City in Mist
A lone raven perches on a gargoyle, its dark silhouette a stark contrast against the misty cityscape. The scene evokes a sense of mystery, foreboding, and isolation, with the raven adding a touch of brooding drama.
Prompt
Gothic: Mysterious and ominous ; A lone raven perched on a gargoyle, overlooking a bustling city; close-up; Heroism; A gothic cathedral with intricate carvings and stained glass; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone raven perched on a stone gargoyle overlooking a gothic city, shrouded in a misty grey atmosphere.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : dark, mysterious, melancholic
Quality
Entropy : 6.42
Noise : 110
Prompt Clip Score : 0.35
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.90
Image errors : There are some minor artifacts and blurriness in the background, especially in the city’s skyline.
A Treasure Trove Unveiled: A Candlelit Cave Holds a Secret Fortune
Discover a hidden treasure chest overflowing with gold coins, bathed in the ethereal glow of a single candle. The dimly lit cave, adorned with hanging chains, adds an air of mystery and magic to this opulent scene. The dampness of the chest hints at a story waiting to be uncovered.
Prompt
Gothic: Excitement and danger ; A treasure chest overflowing with gold and jewels, illuminated by a single candle; close-up; Adventure; A dark, damp dungeon with cobwebs and chains; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A treasure chest sits open with gold coins spilling out in a dimly lit cave, lit by a single candle. Chains with pendants hang from the ceiling, adding to the sense of mystery and treasure.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : mysterious, magical, enchanting
Quality
Entropy : 6.24
Noise : 103
Prompt Clip Score : 0.30
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.70
Image errors : Slight blurriness in some areas, particularly in the background, suggesting possible noise reduction or compression artifacts. Some texture details on the chest seem repetitive, hinting at possible AI-generated elements.
A Haunting Presence in the Ruins
A skeletal figure, cloaked in darkness, stands amidst the crumbling remains of a gothic cathedral. The scene is steeped in an eerie atmosphere, with outstretched bony hands and overgrown vines adding to the sense of foreboding and mystery.
Prompt
Gothic: Grim and triumphant ; A player’s avatar, a skeletal warrior, standing amidst a graveyard of fallen enemies; medium shot; Gaming; A dark and eerie virtual world with gothic architecture; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A skeletal figure stands in the ruins of a gothic cathedral. The atmosphere is dark and eerie.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : dark, eerie, haunting
Quality
Entropy : 6.86
Noise : 112
Prompt Clip Score : 0.33
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.90
Image errors : No obvious errors
A Solitary Figure on the Edge of Mystery
A lone figure, shrouded in mystery, stands on a windswept cliff overlooking a medieval city bathed in ethereal light. The dramatic scene evokes a sense of isolation and grandeur, leaving you to wonder about the figure’s story and the secrets they hold.
Prompt
Gothic: Awe-inspiring and melancholic ; A lone traveler standing at the edge of a cliff, gazing at a sprawling, gothic-inspired city; wide shot; Travel; A mountainous landscape with dramatic clouds and a stormy sky; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A solitary figure stands on a cliff overlooking a mysterious, mist-shrouded valley with a distant, imposing castle-like structure. The sky is overcast and dramatic, adding to the sense of mystery and intrigue.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : mysterious, eerie, dramatic
Quality
Entropy : 6.64
Noise : 104
Prompt Clip Score : 0.32
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : Slight blurriness on the edges of the image, some visible artifacts in the background
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: The model scored 0.45, which is considered okay. This means the camera positions in the generated images were somewhat different from what was intended in the prompts.
- Shot Analysis: The model scored 0.57, which is also considered okay. This indicates that the model was able to understand the scene in the prompts to some extent, but not perfectly.
- Aesthetic Analysis: The model scored 0.29, which is considered pretty good. This means the generated images were fairly close to the expected aesthetic, suggesting the model is capable of producing visually appealing results.
Overall, the model seems to be better at understanding the visual aspects of the prompts (camera position and shot) than the aesthetic aspects.
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