AI's Artistic Journey: Capturing the Dramatic Aesthetic with Midjourney
- 10 minutes read - 1947 wordsTable of Contents
The ‘dramatic’ aesthetic, characterized by strong contrasts, heightened emotions, and a sense of grandeur, is often used in visual storytelling to evoke powerful feelings and create memorable moments. This style is frequently employed in film, photography, and even video games to enhance the impact of a scene. In this experiment, we explore how a generative AI model interprets and renders this aesthetic, analyzing its ability to capture the essence of drama through its generated images.
Created with: midjourney
Silhouetted Against Hope: A Moment of Inspiration on the Mountaintop
A lone figure stands triumphant on a snow-capped peak, bathed in the golden light of a dramatic sunset. The silhouette against the sky evokes a sense of awe and inspiration, capturing the essence of hope and serenity in a breathtaking landscape.
Prompt
Naturalistic: Epic, triumphant ; A lone figure, silhouetted against the setting sun, standing atop a mountain peak; wide shot; Heroism; Majestic mountain range with clouds swirling around the peak; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure stands on top of a snow-capped mountain peak, bathed in the golden light of a setting sun. The clouds swirl around them in a dramatic fashion.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : inspirational, majestic, hopeful
Quality
Entropy : 6.32
Noise : 89
Prompt Clip Score : 0.30
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.90
Image errors : The clouds in the sky are somewhat blurry and lacking in definition, appearing almost artificial.
Eye of the Jungle: A Face Hidden in the Shadows
A close-up shot captures a single, piercing eye peering out from the dense foliage of a jungle. The rest of the man’s face is obscured, leaving viewers to wonder about his identity and intentions. The image evokes a sense of intense suspense and mystery, hinting at a story waiting to unfold.
Prompt
Naturalistic: Intriguing, adventurous ; A weathered explorer, their face etched with determination, peering through dense jungle foliage; close-up; Adventure; Lush, vibrant rainforest with sunlight filtering through the canopy; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A close-up of a man’s face, hidden in foliage. The man’s face is partially obscured by leaves and branches. He is looking out at something beyond the frame.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : tense, suspenseful, mysterious
Quality
Entropy : 6.12
Noise : 105
Prompt Clip Score : 0.29
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : The image appears to have some minor artifacts and noise in the foliage. There is some slight blurriness in the background.
Lost in the Game: A Moment of Intense Focus Under Dim Light
A solitary figure hunches over their desk, illuminated only by the glow of a desk lamp. The room is shrouded in darkness, cluttered with posters and other items, creating a sense of immersion and suspense. The focus on the player’s hands, illuminated by the lamp, emphasizes the intensity of their focus on the game.
Prompt
Naturalistic: Focused, intense ; A gamer’s hands, illuminated by the glow of a monitor, rapidly manipulating a controller; close-up; Gaming; A dimly lit room with gaming posters and peripherals scattered around; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A person is sitting at a desk playing a video game. The desk is lit by a lamp, and the room is dark. The person is wearing a black hoodie and has tattoos on their hands.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : intense, focused, solitary
Quality
Entropy : 6.40
Noise : 81
Prompt Clip Score : 0.31
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.40
Image errors : The image is slightly blurry, and there are some artifacts in the background.
A Vibrant Tapestry of Life: Exploring a Bustling Middle Eastern Market
Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of a bustling Middle Eastern market, where colorful shops and vendors line the streets, creating a lively and exotic atmosphere. The sunlight streaming through the narrow alleyway adds a sense of warmth and depth, inviting you to explore the scene.
Prompt
Naturalistic: Energetic, vibrant ; A bustling marketplace in a foreign city, filled with vibrant colors and exotic goods; wide shot; Tourism; A bustling street with traditional architecture and locals going about their day; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A bustling marketplace street in a Middle Eastern or Indian city, with colorful awnings, vendors selling goods, and people walking by.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : vibrant, exotic, bustling
Quality
Entropy : 6.84
Noise : 115
Prompt Clip Score : 0.31
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : There are some minor artifacts in the image, particularly in the background buildings and the awnings. The image is slightly blurry.
Lost in the Vastness: A Solitary Figure Contemplates the Desert
A lone figure sits atop a sand dune, dwarfed by the endless expanse of the desert. The scene evokes a sense of serenity and contemplation, highlighting the power and beauty of nature.
Prompt
Naturalistic: Solitude, contemplative ; A lone traveler, gazing out at a vast, open desert landscape; medium shot; Travel; A desolate desert with sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure in a black robe sits on a sand dune overlooking a vast, undulating desert landscape. The sky is a pale blue with a hint of clouds. The scene is minimalistic and evokes a sense of solitude and contemplation.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : solitude, tranquility, vastness
Quality
Entropy : 6.01
Noise : 98
Prompt Clip Score : 0.34
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : No significant artifacts or errors in the image.
Starry Night Campfire: A Moment of Tranquility in the Wilderness
A group of friends gather around a crackling campfire, bathed in the soft glow of a starry night. The Milky Way stretches across the sky, while distant mountains and a shimmering body of water complete the idyllic scene. This image evokes a sense of peace, nostalgia, and wonder, capturing the magic of a night spent under the open sky.
Prompt
Naturalistic: Warm, nostalgic ; A family gathered around a campfire, sharing stories and laughter; medium shot; Family; A cozy campsite under a starry night sky with a crackling fire in the foreground; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A group of friends are gathered around a campfire in a mountainous landscape under a starry sky, with the Milky Way visible.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : serene, peaceful, magical
Quality
Entropy : 6.46
Noise : 112
Prompt Clip Score : 0.36
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : Slight blurring around the edges of the image, and some artifacts in the sky.
Lost in the Mist: A Hiker’s Journey Through Solitude and Mystery
A lone hiker ventures along a narrow path, dwarfed by the towering, mist-shrouded mountains. The scene evokes a sense of solitude, mystery, and adventure, as the hiker disappears into the vastness of nature.
Prompt
Naturalistic: Challenging, determined ; A lone hiker, navigating a treacherous mountain path; medium shot; Heroism; A rugged mountain trail with steep cliffs and breathtaking views; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone hiker walks along a narrow mountain path, overlooking a vast misty valley. The path is lined with jagged rock formations and the scene is enveloped in a soft, ethereal fog.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : serene, adventurous, contemplative
Quality
Entropy : 6.59
Noise : 96
Prompt Clip Score : 0.31
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image has some minor blurring and softness, especially in the distance. This might be due to the fog, but could also be a limitation of the camera or lens used.
VR Excitement: A Moment of Pure Joy and Surprise
Capture the thrill of virtual reality as a player screams in delight, surrounded by friends watching and reacting to the intense gameplay. Dramatic lighting highlights the moment, creating a sense of excitement and tension.
Prompt
Naturalistic: Excited, immersive ; A group of friends, their faces lit by the screen of a VR headset, immersed in a virtual world; close-up; Gaming; A dimly lit room with VR headsets and controllers scattered around; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A group of friends are playing a VR game, the person in the foreground is wearing a VR headset and is looking up in amazement
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : excited, fun, immersive
Quality
Entropy : 6.00
Noise : 72
Prompt Clip Score : 0.33
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : There are some artifacts in the image, such as the graininess in the shadows, and there are some issues with the lighting on the person in the foreground.
City Lights, Urban Dreams
A breathtaking bird’s-eye view of a cityscape at dusk, where towering buildings cast long shadows and streetlights illuminate the streets below. The dramatic interplay of light and shadow creates a sense of mystery and peace, capturing the essence of urban life.
Prompt
Naturalistic: Energetic, cosmopolitan ; A panoramic view of a bustling city skyline, captured from a rooftop; wide shot; Tourism; A vibrant city with towering skyscrapers and bustling streets below; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : An aerial view of a city at dusk, with the sun setting behind the tall buildings. The buildings are lit up, and the streets below are busy with traffic.
Aesthetic Score : 0.75
Mood : urban, bustling, warm
Quality
Entropy : 6.74
Noise : 122
Prompt Clip Score : 0.29
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.90
Image errors : There are some minor artifacts in the image, particularly around the edges of the buildings. The image also appears to be slightly blurry in some areas.
Tranquil Journey on a Scenic Road
A picturesque road winds through rolling green hills under a bright blue sky. A truck and a motorcyclist travel towards the horizon, creating a sense of peaceful solitude and endless possibility.
Prompt
Naturalistic: Peaceful, nostalgic ; A family driving down a scenic highway, with rolling hills and fields passing by; medium shot; Travel; A winding highway with lush green fields and distant mountains in the background; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A winding road through green rolling hills with a white truck driving in the distance and a person on a motorcycle in the foreground.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : serene, peaceful, tranquil
Quality
Entropy : 6.45
Noise : 95
Prompt Clip Score : 0.32
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : There are no visible artifacts or errors in the image.
Conclusion
The results show that the generative AI model performed okay in terms of understanding camera positions and scene composition, but needs improvement in capturing the desired aesthetic. Here’s a breakdown:
- Camera Position: The model scored 0.3, which is below the “good” range of 0.5 to 0.75. This suggests that the model didn’t always accurately translate the intended camera positions from the prompt into the generated image.
- Shot Analysis: The model scored 0.53, which falls within the “good” range. This indicates that the model generally understood the scene described in the prompt and created a shot that was somewhat consistent with it.
- Aesthetic Analysis: The model scored 0.04, which is significantly below the “very good” range of -0.2 to 0.1. This means that the generated image’s aesthetic deviated considerably from the expected aesthetic based on the prompt.
Overall, the model needs further training to better understand and implement camera positions and to improve its ability to capture 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