AI's Artistic Eye: Capturing the Dramatic Aesthetic with Midjourney
- 10 minutes read - 2083 words
Table of Contents
The dramatic aesthetic is a powerful tool in visual storytelling, evoking a sense of grandeur, mystery, and often, a touch of melancholy. It’s characterized by strong contrasts, dramatic lighting, and compositions that emphasize the subject’s isolation or vulnerability. This style is often used in film, photography, and even video games to create a sense of awe and intrigue. In this experiment, we tasked a generative AI model with capturing this dramatic aesthetic across various scenes. The results offer a fascinating glimpse into the model’s ability to understand and translate artistic styles, revealing both its strengths and areas for improvement.
Created with: midjourney
A Solitary Figure in a Dystopian Landscape
A lone figure stands on the precipice of a crumbling building, gazing out at a polluted industrial cityscape. The setting sun casts a warm glow on the scene, highlighting the stark contrast between the figure’s isolation and the vast, industrial wasteland. The image evokes a sense of melancholy and despair, capturing the bleakness of a dystopian future.
Prompt
Neo-realist: Melancholy, yet hopeful ; A lone figure, silhouetted against the setting sun, standing atop a crumbling building; long shot; Heroism; A cityscape with smoke rising from factories in the distance; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure stands on the edge of a crumbling building, overlooking a sprawling industrial cityscape at sunset. Smoke billows from the chimneys of factories in the distance, casting a hazy glow over the scene.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : melancholy, apocalyptic, industrial
Quality
Entropy : 6.64
Noise : 109
Prompt Clip Score : 0.33
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : Slight blurring on the smoke and some of the building edges, likely due to the painting style.
Uncharted Territories Await: A Map and Compass Beckon
A weathered map, its edges frayed with time, lies open on a wooden table, a compass resting beside it. The flickering light of a candle casts long shadows, hinting at the mysteries that lie ahead. This image evokes a sense of adventure and the allure of the unknown.
Prompt
Neo-realist: Intriguing, mysterious ; A weathered map, spread out on a rickety wooden table, with a worn compass resting on it; close-up; Adventure; A dimly lit room with flickering candlelight; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A close-up shot of an old, worn, and torn map, resting on a wooden table. A compass is lying next to the map, and a candle flame burns in the background, casting warm, soft light.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : mysterious, adventurous, nostalgic
Quality
Entropy : 6.90
Noise : 100
Prompt Clip Score : 0.31
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.70
Image errors : The image has some minor blurring in the background and a slight graininess throughout. The texture of the map and compass appear slightly artificial.
The Sweat of Victory: A Gamer’s Pizza-Fueled Battle
A dimly lit room, a glowing screen, and a pizza-fueled gamer battling for victory. Sweat drips from their hands, reflecting the intensity of the moment. This image captures the tension, focus, and nostalgia of a gaming session, creating a powerful dramatic effect.
Prompt
Neo-realist: Intense, focused ; A pair of hands, gripping a joystick, sweat dripping onto the buttons; close-up; Gaming; A dimly lit room with flickering monitor light, surrounded by empty pizza boxes and soda cans; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A dimly lit room with a person playing a video game. A television is on in the background, and there is a slice of pizza on the table.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : nostalgic, moody, retro
Quality
Entropy : 6.10
Noise : 97
Prompt Clip Score : 0.34
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : Some of the pixels are blurred and the colors are not as crisp as they could be.
Lost in Time: A Bustling Egyptian City Under the Sun
Step into an ancient Egyptian city where towering pillars and intricate hieroglyphics dominate the scene. The sun blazes overhead, casting long shadows on the bustling crowds as they navigate the vibrant marketplace. Feel the weight of history and the insignificance of time in this awe-inspiring spectacle.
Prompt
Neo-realist: Awe-inspiring, curious ; A group of tourists, huddled together, looking up at a towering ancient monument; medium shot; Tourism; A bustling marketplace with vendors selling souvenirs and local crafts; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A group of tourists stand in the middle of a street lined with ancient columns, a large obelisk stands in the distance against a bright blue sky with puffy white clouds.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : mysterious, historical, adventurous
Quality
Entropy : 6.81
Noise : 104
Prompt Clip Score : 0.32
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : Some of the characters look slightly distorted, and the overall image has a slightly cartoonish style.
A Suitcase Full of Memories: A Moment of Departure
A vintage suitcase sits poised on a bustling train platform, its weathered leather hinting at journeys past. The blurred background of passengers and a departing train evokes a sense of melancholy and anticipation, leaving the viewer to wonder about the secrets held within the suitcase and the destination that awaits.
Prompt
Neo-realist: Nostalgic, bittersweet ; A worn suitcase, sitting on a train platform, with a single ticket protruding from it; medium shot; Travel; A bustling train station with people rushing to and fro; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone suitcase sitting on a deserted train platform, with a train in the background and a few people walking away in the distance. The platform is wet from rain.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : lonely, melancholic, deserted
Quality
Entropy : 6.53
Noise : 100
Prompt Clip Score : 0.34
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image has a slight blur effect which could be interpreted as artistic style, but could also be interpreted as being an error. The lighting is consistent but the colours are muted and desaturated.
A Family’s Silent Struggle: Unease and Melancholy in a Crumbling Home
A dimly lit room, a cracked ceiling, and a family gathered around a dining table, their faces etched with unease. The atmosphere is heavy with melancholy, hinting at a story of hardship and unspoken emotions.
Prompt
Neo-realist: Warm, intimate ; A family gathered around a worn dining table, sharing a simple meal; medium shot; Family; A dimly lit kitchen with faded wallpaper and chipped paint; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A family of four is sitting around a kitchen table eating dinner. The room is dimly lit and the ceiling has a large crack in it. The family’s body language and expressions suggest they are uncomfortable.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : tense, somber, uneasy
Quality
Entropy : 6.08
Noise : 82
Prompt Clip Score : 0.32
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : Slight noise in the image, but this could be a stylistic choice for a more dramatic effect.
A Moment of Reflection: A Boy’s Journey Through the Window
A young boy, lost in thought, gazes out the window of a moving train. The sun-drenched countryside whizzes by, creating a backdrop of vibrant greens and blues. His red shirt stands out against the scenery, adding a touch of warmth and inviting contemplation. This evocative image captures a moment of quiet reflection, leaving the viewer to wonder about the boy’s journey and the thoughts swirling in his mind.
Prompt
Neo-realist: Wonder, anticipation ; A young boy, gazing out of a train window, watching the world go by; close-up; Adventure; A train speeding through a rural landscape with fields and forests; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A young boy sits by a window on a train looking out at a passing rural landscape.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : nostalgic, wistful, contemplative
Quality
Entropy : 6.55
Noise : 111
Prompt Clip Score : 0.36
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : There are some minor artifacts in the image, particularly in the background. The image is also slightly blurry, which could be due to the camera settings or the lighting.
A Hand Holds the Past: Nostalgia and Mystery in a Dimly Lit Scene
A single hand cradles an old photograph, its faded image hinting at a story long forgotten. The dim lighting casts long shadows, adding an air of mystery and intrigue to the scene. The mood is one of quiet contemplation, tinged with both nostalgia and a hint of sadness.
Prompt
Neo-realist: Nostalgic, sentimental ; A weathered hand, holding a worn photograph, with a faded smile on the face in the picture; close-up; Family; A dimly lit room with a single lamp casting a warm glow; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A hand is holding an old photograph of an elderly man in a dimly lit room with a table lamp on the left.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : nostalgia, melancholy, intimate
Quality
Entropy : 5.91
Noise : 95
Prompt Clip Score : 0.31
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.10
Image errors : Slight graininess and blurriness, especially in the background. The photograph in the hand is slightly out of focus, perhaps intentionally.
Campfire Serenity Under a Starry Sky
A serene and nostalgic scene of four friends gathered around a campfire, bathed in the soft glow of the stars. The image evokes a sense of peace and quietude, perfect for contemplation and reminiscing.
Prompt
Neo-realist: Joyful, camaraderie ; A group of friends, huddled together around a campfire, sharing stories and laughter; medium shot; Adventure; A campsite under a starry night sky with a crackling fire; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A group of four friends sit around a campfire under a starry night sky. The scene is painted in a painterly style with visible brushstrokes.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : serene, cozy, nostalgic
Quality
Entropy : 6.50
Noise : 101
Prompt Clip Score : 0.35
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : The image contains a few minor brushstroke artifacts, particularly around the edges of the figures and the campfire.
Lost in the Shadows: A Figure Walks a Lonely Path
A solitary figure, suitcase in hand, navigates a dark and imposing city street. The scene, bathed in the dim glow of streetlights, evokes a sense of isolation and mystery. The use of shadows and darkness creates a dramatic effect, leaving the viewer to wonder about the figure’s destination and the secrets they carry.
Prompt
Neo-realist: Lonely, introspective ; A lone figure, walking down a deserted street, with a suitcase in hand; long shot; Travel; A city street at night with flickering streetlights and empty sidewalks; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure walks down a deserted city street at night, carrying a suitcase. The street is wet from rain, and the buildings on either side are dark and imposing.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : dark, lonely, mysterious
Quality
Entropy : 5.87
Noise : 105
Prompt Clip Score : 0.30
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.70
Image errors : There is a noticeable amount of digital noise in the image, particularly in the background. The edges of the image are also slightly blurred, which suggests that the image may have been cropped or resized.
Conclusion
The results indicate that the generative AI model performed well in terms of understanding the scene and camera position, but struggled with the aesthetic aspect. Here’s a breakdown:
- Camera Position: The model scored 0.4, which is below the “good” range of 0.5 to 0.75. This suggests that the model didn’t fully capture the intended camera position described in the prompt.
- Shot Analysis: The model scored 0.44, also below the “good” range. This indicates that the model didn’t fully understand the scene described in the prompt and didn’t create an image that accurately reflects it.
- Aesthetic Analysis: The model scored 0.1, which is within the “very good” range of -0.2 to 0.1. This means the generated image’s aesthetic closely matched the expected aesthetic described in the prompt.
Overall, the model seems to be better at understanding the desired aesthetic than the scene and camera position. It might need further training to improve its ability to accurately interpret and translate camera positions and scene descriptions into images.
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