AI's Artistic Struggle: Capturing the Essence of 'Dramatic' Aesthetics with Stability-ai-ultra
- 10 minutes read - 1993 words
Table of Contents
The ‘dramatic’ aesthetic is a powerful tool in visual storytelling, evoking emotions and creating a sense of grandeur. It often involves striking contrasts, dramatic lighting, and carefully composed shots that draw the viewer’s attention to specific elements. This style is commonly used in film, photography, and even video games to enhance the narrative and create a memorable experience. However, can AI effectively translate these artistic intentions into visual outputs? This blog post explores the challenges and successes of using AI to generate images with a ‘dramatic’ aesthetic, analyzing the results of a prompt experiment and highlighting the areas where AI excels and where it still needs improvement.
Created with: stability-ai-ultra
Silhouetted Against the Setting Sun: A Lone Figure Walks Towards Ruin
A solitary figure traverses a desolate landscape, their silhouette stark against the fiery hues of the setting sun. The looming ruins of a castle in the distance add to the sense of loneliness and mystery, creating a dramatic and melancholic scene.
Prompt
Hyper-realistic: Epic, hopeful ; A lone figure, silhouetted against the setting sun; wide shot; Heroism; A vast, desolate landscape with a lone, crumbling tower in the distance; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone figure walks towards a crumbling castle in the distance, silhouetted against a dramatic sunset with a large, orange sun.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : melancholy, hopeful, solitude
Quality
Entropy : 6.55
Noise : 94
Prompt Clip Score : 0.32
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : The image appears to be generated with AI. The foreground feels somewhat artificial with the rocks, and the lighting seems slightly unnatural.
A Hidden Gaze in the Jungle’s Embrace
An elderly man, shrouded in mystery, peers from behind vibrant foliage. His straw hat and contemplative gaze hint at a hidden story waiting to be discovered. This captivating portrait evokes a sense of adventure and intrigue, transporting you to a world of secrets and wonder.
Prompt
Hyper-realistic: Intrigued, adventurous ; A weathered explorer, eyes wide with wonder, peering into a dense jungle; close-up; Adventure; Lush, vibrant foliage, sunlight filtering through the canopy; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A close-up portrait of an elderly man with a straw hat, looking out from behind a lush green jungle foliage.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : mysterious, contemplative, adventurous
Quality
Entropy : 6.74
Noise : 96
Prompt Clip Score : 0.33
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : The image shows some blurring and slight artifacts, particularly around the edges of the man’s face and the leaves.
Lost in the Game: A Moment of Intense Focus
A player is fully immersed in their game, the controller held tight in their hand. The blurry, vibrant background fades away, highlighting the intensity and focus of the moment. This image captures the playful energy and the thrill of being lost in the digital world.
Prompt
Hyper-realistic: Focused, intense ; A gamer’s hands, deftly manipulating a controller, fingers flying across buttons; close-up; Gaming; A brightly lit gaming setup with a high-definition monitor displaying a vibrant, immersive game world; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A person is holding a video game controller in front of a computer screen with a blurred background of a racing game.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : intense, focused, competitive
Quality
Entropy : 6.83
Noise : 70
Prompt Clip Score : 0.31
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.20
Image errors : The image appears to have some noise and minor artifacts in the background.
Immerse Yourself in the Vibrant Chaos of a Chinese Street Market
Experience the bustling energy of a traditional Chinese market, with its colorful stalls, friendly vendors, and towering pagoda in the distance. The perspective captures the depth and scale of the scene, showcasing the lively atmosphere and the intricate details of the architecture.
Prompt
Hyper-realistic: Energetic, vibrant ; A bustling marketplace in a foreign city, filled with vibrant colors and exotic goods; wide shot; Tourism; A bustling, vibrant city street with traditional architecture and people from all walks of life; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A bustling marketplace in a historic Asian city with colorful stalls, traditional architecture, and a large crowd of people.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : vibrant, lively, traditional
Quality
Entropy : 6.81
Noise : 110
Prompt Clip Score : 0.31
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.90
Image errors : There are some minor artifacts in the image, particularly in the rendering of the people and the details of the architecture. The people appear somewhat repetitive and lacking in individuality.
A Lone Hiker Contemplates the Majesty of Nature
A solitary figure stands on a rocky outcropping, dwarfed by the towering snow-capped peaks of a majestic mountain range. The scene is bathed in the warm light of a clear blue sky, creating a serene and awe-inspiring atmosphere. This breathtaking image captures the vastness of nature and the human’s place within it.
Prompt
Hyper-realistic: Tranquil, awe-inspiring ; A lone traveler, gazing out at a breathtaking mountain range, a sense of peace washing over them; medium shot; Travel; Majestic mountains, snow-capped peaks, and a clear blue sky; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A lone hiker stands on a rocky outcrop, gazing at a majestic snow-capped mountain range in the distance.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : tranquil, inspiring, awe
Quality
Entropy : 6.76
Noise : 90
Prompt Clip Score : 0.33
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.60
Image errors : Some minor artifacts are visible in the snow and the sky, particularly noticeable in the clouds.
Family Campfire Under a Starry Sky
A cozy and peaceful scene of a family gathered around a campfire under the Milky Way. The warmth of the fire and the twinkling stars create a sense of wonder and adventure. The family’s intimate gathering contrasts with the vastness of the night sky, making for a truly magical moment.
Prompt
Hyper-realistic: 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 and the smell of roasting marshmallows; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A family is camping under the stars, sitting around a campfire in front of a tent. The Milky Way is visible in the night sky.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : cozy, peaceful, adventurous
Quality
Entropy : 6.61
Noise : 108
Prompt Clip Score : 0.34
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.60
Image errors : The image has some minor artifacts, such as a slight blurriness around the edges of the subjects. The Milky Way also appears somewhat artificial.
Superman Soars Above the City at Sunset
A dramatic image of Superman in flight, his cape billowing behind him as he soars over a cityscape at sunset. The scene evokes a sense of heroism, hope, and power.
Prompt
Hyper-realistic: Powerful, inspiring ; A superhero, soaring through the air, cape billowing behind them; wide shot; Heroism; A sprawling cityscape with towering skyscrapers and bustling streets below; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : Superman flying over a cityscape, likely New York City, at sunset.
Aesthetic Score : 0.6
Mood : heroic, epic, powerful
Quality
Entropy : 6.84
Noise : 98
Prompt Clip Score : 0.32
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.80
Image errors : The image has some noticeable artifacts and errors, particularly in the cape and the cityscape. The cape appears to be too blurry and unrealistic, and the city skyline looks a bit fake.
Conquering the Peaks: Hikers Embark on an Inspiring Mountain Adventure
A group of hikers, clad in vibrant colors, ascend a snow-covered mountain path, their backpacks laden with dreams. The vastness of the mountains, stretching towards a blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds, inspires a sense of awe and determination. This breathtaking scene captures the adventurous spirit of those who dare to explore the wild.
Prompt
Hyper-realistic: Thrilling, dangerous ; A group of adventurers, navigating a treacherous mountain path, ropes and ice axes in hand; medium shot; Adventure; A rugged, snow-covered mountain range with steep cliffs and icy crevasses; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A group of mountaineers are trekking up a snowy mountain path, the lead climber is in focus and the others are trailing behind, the landscape is a vast expanse of snowy peaks with a blue sky and wispy clouds
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : adventurous, determined, majestic
Quality
Entropy : 6.94
Noise : 100
Prompt Clip Score : 0.30
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.90
Image errors : The snow texture appears slightly artificial, and the colors are a bit oversaturated.
Lost in the Neon: A Cyberpunk VR Experience
A lone figure, immersed in a virtual world, stands bathed in the vibrant glow of neon lights. This cyberpunk scene captures the essence of a futuristic, tech-driven reality, where the lines between the real and the virtual blur.
Prompt
Hyper-realistic: Engrossed, surreal ; A player, immersed in a virtual reality game, their face contorted in concentration; close-up; Gaming; A futuristic, immersive virtual reality environment with vibrant colors and intricate details; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A person wearing a VR headset and headphones is illuminated by blue and pink neon lights. The background is blurry and out of focus, suggesting a futuristic or cyberspace setting.
Aesthetic Score : 0.7
Mood : futuristic, cyberpunk, vibrant
Quality
Entropy : 6.90
Noise : 74
Prompt Clip Score : 0.32
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.90
Image errors : The image appears to be slightly overexposed, causing some areas of the subject to lose detail. There is also a slight blur in the foreground, particularly around the edges of the VR headset.
Sunset Silhouettes: A Family’s Moment of Peace
A heartwarming scene of a father and his three sons standing on a beach at sunset. The vibrant orange and yellow sky creates a dramatic backdrop, highlighting their silhouettes and capturing a moment of peaceful joy and nostalgia.
Prompt
Hyper-realistic: Peaceful, heartwarming ; A family, standing on a beach, watching the sunset over the ocean; wide shot; Family; A serene beach with golden sand, turquoise water, and a fiery sunset; cinematic
Characteristic
Shot : A father and his three sons stand on a beach at sunset, gazing out at the ocean. The golden light of the setting sun illuminates the sky and the waves.
Aesthetic Score : 0.8
Mood : tranquil, serene, familial
Quality
Entropy : 6.51
Noise : 95
Prompt Clip Score : 0.34
AI Evaluation
Likelihood of AI : 0.70
Image errors : The image has some minor imperfections like the smooth texture of the sand in the foreground. It also looks like some lighting artifacts are visible around the sun and the water surface.
Conclusion
This analysis shows that the generative AI model performed well in terms of understanding camera positions and shot composition, but struggled with achieving the desired aesthetic. Here’s a breakdown:
Camera Position:
- Score: 0.4
- Interpretation: This score falls below the “good” range of 0.5 to 0.75. It suggests that the model didn’t perfectly capture the intended camera positions described in the prompt.
Shot Analysis:
- Score: 0.495
- Interpretation: This score is close to the “good” range, indicating that the model generally understood the shot composition described in the prompt. However, it wasn’t quite able to perfectly recreate the intended scene.
Aesthetic Analysis:
- Score: 0.3
- Interpretation: This score is significantly below the “very good” range of -0.2 to 0.1. It indicates that the generated image’s aesthetic deviated considerably from the desired aesthetic described in the prompt.
Overall:
The model demonstrates a decent understanding of camera positions and shot composition, but struggles to achieve the desired aesthetic. This suggests that the model might need further training to better understand and translate aesthetic preferences into visual outputs.
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://stability.ai