If you're looking for ways to create images that stand out from the rest- take a tip from photographers the world over. Your LIGHTING matters. Don't forget to include lighting into your prompts. Close your eyes and imagine your image.
Where is the light coming from? Is it sunbeams through a window to create warmth in the image? Is it bright and cheerful sun rays with little specks of dust like glitter that create joy?
Maybe your lighting is soft, gently coming from a lantern or a candle, or a fireplace to create intimacy. If you're looking to enhance your AI-generated images and make them stand out, one of the most crucial elements to consider is lighting. The way light interacts with your subjects can completely transform the message you're wanting to convey. It depicts the mood, atmosphere, and visual impact of your images.
Here, I'll give you some samples of the various lighting techniques and prompts that you can incorporate into your AI-generated imagery to create captivating and realistic results. Terms I learned when I operated a photography studio, go a long way toward enhancing my MidJourney images as well. Here are some ideas for you:
GOLDEN HOUR: This is the hour right before sundown. Photographers take advantage of the soft shadows and golden glow, as seen in the AI generated image below. It adds a touch of magic to the image... warmth and a sense of calm.
If you are wanting to convey a feeling more than attention to your subject. Golden hour can really go the extra mile for you. The glow behind the fairy brings your eyes to her, but only after you've been treated to a mesmerizing trip around the whole image, taking it all in. I created this image as an example but if I were to take it further I think a spiderweb with glistening dew would look amazing over that glow. :)
BLUE HOUR: Another term that is similar is the Blue Hour. The blue hour refers to a period of time just after sunset or right before sunrise when the sky adopts a rich, deep blue hue, casting a bluish light over the landscape. This creates a calm scene, but it is more cool, than warm. Blue hour often appeals to me when doing ocean scenes, but you could also consider it to show how very early it still is. Here is an examples of blue hour prompting.
BOKEH LIGHTS: Bokeh lights can add a romantic or celebratory feeling to your image, or can suggest humidity or rain in the air. When I see Bokeh lights, I can almost SMELL the rain. :) Bokeh lights, characterized by soft, out-of-focus points of light, can add a whimsical, romantic, or celebratory feel to images. Prompt AI to visualize scenes where bokeh lights twinkle in the background, evoking a sense of magic or festivity. Whether it's a cozy holiday setting with twinkling fairy lights or a lively cityscape dotted with glowing street lamps, bokeh lights can infuse your AI-generated images with warmth and charm. Bokeh lights are a great way to add depth and feeling to your image, as I have done here:
SPLIT LIGHTING: This is one of my favorite lighting techniques. Especially for close up portraits. It really defines the face and gives visual interest to the subject. Split lighting is a photography lighting technique where half of the subject's face or object is illuminated, while the other half remains in shadow. This creates a striking contrast between light and dark areas, highlighting the shape and contours of the subject.
To achieve split lighting, photographers typically position the light source to one side of the subject, so that one side is well-lit and the other side falls into shadow. This technique can be used to create dramatic and visually interesting portraits, emphasizing facial features or adding a sense of mystery and depth to the image.Split lighting is often used in portrait photography to create a sense of drama or to convey a specific mood. It can also be used in still life photography to add visual interest and depth to objects.
DAPPLED LIGHTING: I get more compliments on images when I use this prompt. People will comment first about the interesting lighting before taking in anything else about the image. Imagine sunlight filtering through leaves, creating a pattern of light and shadow on the ground or on a subject. This type of lighting can add a natural and dynamic element to your image, enhancing textures and adding depth.
Even if your image is a super-tight close-up, your reader can surmise that the image was most likely outdoors, and taken beneath a tree. This adds a natural, magical feel to your image.
BACKLIGHTING: Backlighting occurs when the light source is behind the subject, creating a halo effect or highlighting the edges of the subject. It can create a sense of depth and can be particularly effective when photographing subjects with translucent elements, such as leaves or fabric. Backlighting is often used to create silhouettes, where the subject appears as a dark shape against a bright background. This can result in dramatic and artistic images, especially when capturing subjects with recognizable shapes or outlines. Backlighting can evoke specific emotions and moods in a photograph.
For example, backlighting during sunrise or sunset can create a warm and nostalgic atmosphere, while backlighting in low-light conditions can convey a sense of mystery or drama. Backlighting is often used to create silhouettes, where the subject appears as a dark shape against a bright background. This can result in dramatic and artistic images, evoking emotion -especially when capturing subjects with recognizable shapes or outlines.
Sometimes when I'm just not sure WHAT kind of lighting I want to use, or I want MidJourney to take the reins, I will experiment with "Unusual Lighting" in my prompt. I've also added "dramatic lighting" or "strong light and shadows" or "Ethereal lighting" and gotten some pretty great results. :)
These are just a few samples of using light to evoke emotion and add depth to your prompted images and make them memorable. By using these diverse lighting prompts into your AI-generated images, you can elevate the realism, emotion, and storytelling of your visuals. This creates immersive and captivating experiences for viewers and helps you stand out from the crowd. I challenge you to experiment with different lighting techniques. Allow AI to explore a wide range of moods, atmospheres, and visual styles, and make each of your generated images unique, compelling and unforgettable.
I encourage you to experiment with these different types of lighting and would enjoy seeing your results! If you're not part of our facebook group- I'd love to invite you to join 16k of us! You can find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/781681193977150
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