Lighting and Shadow
In the next section we explore the fascinating world of the way AI generated images portray lighting and shadow.
Observe how the light source illuminates the surrounding objects in the experimental model and compare it with the images produced just a year ago. Notice the contrast of the shadows, creating a chiaroscuro effect - a feature present in many of the artworks in this exhibition.
The interaction of light is essential in creating a cohesive and harmonious image that can deceive us into believing that these images are real. AI algorithms can simulate complex lighting scenarios and create highly detailed and accurate images that can rival those captured by professional photographers.
How do you think this can potentially make AI a useful tool for artists and designers?
Incandescent - This section of our exhibition delves into the advanced capabilities of the new model in terms of its approach to illuminating a scene. It fittingly starts with a combination of domestic lighting systems throughout history, from the simple candle to Lewis Latimer's revolutionary incandescent bulb. However, the depiction of lighting within this piece appears rather one-dimensional. There is a strange glow - too cool to be candlelight - that envelops the scene uniformly. The shadows cast are incongruous with the light sources, lending the image an overall lack of credibility. The image seems to struggle to convincingly portray the nuanced interplay of light and shadow, integral to the realism and aesthetic appeal of any artwork. Prompt: a candle inside a modern lightbulb illuminating a dark room Model: DALL-E v2.0 (2022)
Incandescent - What a remarkable evolution this artwork has undergone in just a year. The depiction of the glass is somewhat stylised and reminiscent of a cartoon. However the candle flame and filament have been integrated seamlessly. The warm luminescence emitted is evocative of genuine candlelight, imparting an enchanting atmosphere. This soft glow serves to harmoniously embed the object within its environment, fostering a more convincing visual narrative. Moreover, the shadows cast are decidedly more realistic, adding to the image's overall depth and authenticity. This all enables us to appreciate the unique quirks of this surreal creation rather than focusing on any potential flaws in the image. Prompt: a candle inside a modern lightbulb illuminating a dark room Model: DALL-E v2.Exp (2023)
Hallway - The centrepiece of the composition, a solitary figure shrouded in shadow, serves as a powerful symbol of solitude. Positioned amidst the labyrinth of vividly illuminated corridors, the contrast between the silhouette and its surroundings is strikingly poignant. This stark dichotomy amplifies the feeling of loneliness, while simultaneously invoking a sense of curiosity and exploration. The lighting in this image isn't too bad for the earlier model when compared to the previous candle image. There are realistic reflections of light in the floor and the hint of the figure's form catching the neon light. Prompt: silhouette of a lonely person standing in the middle of a maze of colour lit corridors Model: DALL-E v2.0 (2022)
Hallway - The reflections in this piece are far superior to the earlier model highlighting the central solitary figure even more effectively. The maze itself, bathed in an array of colours, adds a surreal layer to the visual narrative. The radiant hues play off each other in a dynamic dance, guiding the viewer's eye through the hallway. Despite being AI-generated, the artwork showcases a sensitive grasp of human emotion and a keen eye for visual harmony. It effectively blurs the line between artificial intelligence and human creativity, challenging us to reevaluate our definitions of art and the artist. Prompt: silhouette of a lonely person standing in the middle of a maze of colour lit corridors Model: DALL-E v2.Exp (2023)
Neon Rainforest - The intention behind this piece was to create an infusion of neon lights, an element at odds with the natural setting. The execution of the provided prompt leaves room for improvement and does not quite reach the level of conviction one might anticipate. The image straddles the realms of abstraction and representation, a pleasing aesthetic, yet it diverges from the original intent of the prompt. The neon lighting, while interesting, doesn't convey the high-resolution, photorealistic quality associated with an 8k photograph. The reflections on the branches give an impression of painted trees, adding another layer of abstraction that further distances the piece from its intended realism. Prompt: a rainforest with neon lights hanging from the trees 8k photograph Model: DALL-E v2.0 (2022)
Neon Rainforest - The 8k resolution lends the image an arresting clarity, heightening the viewer's immersion in this surreal landscape. The rainforest, traditionally a symbol of untamed nature, is rendered in exquisite detail, each leaf and branch discernible, notice how the light bounces off the leaves, further immersing you in the scene. This juxtaposition of the organic and the artificial compels the viewer to contemplate on themes of nature versus technology, and the potential harmony or discord between them. The artwork comments on our rapidly advancing digital age, inviting us to ponder our own place within it. Prompt: a rainforest with neon lights hanging from the trees 8k photograph Model: DALL-E v2.Exp (2023)
Hummingbird - The origami bird here has a paper-like quality rather than being made from neon lights as the prompt asked for. It has created a recognisable form made from improbable folds, like it has never seen a real origami bird before. This departure from traditional origami structures lends the piece a unique visual dynamism. It almost appears as though the artificial intelligence, devoid of real-life experiential knowledge, has conceptualised an origami bird through a fresh, unbiased lens. The result is a fantastical construct, an origami bird that is perhaps unlike any we would encounter in reality. Prompt: an origami hummingbird made from neon lights Model: DALL-E 2.0 (2022)
Hummingbird - The glowing background shows a shift from a non-luminous, reflective quality in the previous depiction to a now luminous entity. The intricacy of the folds in the bird's wings, marked by a heightened degree of realism, imparts a sense of potential movement, as if the bird could flap its wings at any moment. The prompt had specifically called for neon lights, a noble gas that emits a characteristic red-orange glow when stimulated by electricity. However, the image presents a vibrant spectrum of colours, suggesting the involvement of other elements. For instance, mercury vapour, when excited, produces a captivating blue glow. Alluding to the fascinating phenomenon of luminescence and the varied spectral emissions of different gases under electrical excitation, this artistic rendering thus becomes an educational exploration of science through the lens of art. Prompt: an origami hummingbird made from neon lights Model: DALL-E 2.Exp (2023)
Bisexual Lighting - Here we experimented with a more specific lighting cue. An empowering visual device, bisexual lighting emulates the colours of the Bi+ flag and is sometimes, not always, employed by queer filmmakers to hint at a characters sexuality. The lighting here is soft and gently illuminates the figures face. The subtle hues are not competing for space but complement each other creating a serene image. Prompt: A photo portrait of a young woman in profile using bisexual lighting. Model: DALL-E v2.0 (2022)
Bisexual Lighting - The illumination generated by the experimental model presents a more saturated, intense quality, evoking echoes of a synthwave aesthetic. The interplay of colours in the subsequent image is marked by an increased contrast, creating a vibrant visual tension as they vie for space within the composition. Notably, there's a shift in the chromatic undertone. Rather than maintaining the magenta hue representative of the Bisexual Pride flag, the image leans towards a more pronounced red tone. This divergence, while providing a unique interpretation, also signifies a departure from the intended symbolisation, thus inviting reflection on the delicate balance between artistic freedom and fidelity to a given theme. Prompt: A photo portrait of a young woman in profile using bisexual lighting. Model: DALL-E v2.Exp (2023)