…and the results were breathtaking.
AI image generation has come a really long way over the last year or so. We decided to put it to the test using Midjourney.
Midjourney is what is known as a “generative AI programme,” that produces images. In plain English, what that means is that Midjourney can create images from instructions you type up and provide it. Those instructions, or “prompts,” can be as simple or as complex as you like. Once you’ve given your prompt, Midjourney will try to create an image that matches your description. It’s not perfect by any means. But the quality of imagery that platforms like this are generating is improving at an astronomical pace.
So we put it to the test and asked Midjourney to take us on a tour to see dancers performing their art all over the world.
We used one consistent prompt:
- /imagine a dancer in {country name}. Taken with a Nikon D850
We included the camera reference in a bid to get the platform to opt for photorealism. And then we simply let Midjourney get to work.
When we first ask Midjourney to generate an image, it creates a grid of four small images before you “upscale” your favourite. So as well as choosing our preferred images, we also took a note of how many of the four images featured men or women so we could gain insight into the gender biases AI inherits when it comes to dance.
We generated images for the 23 most populous countries in the world and here’s what Midjourney created.
China
AI generated a captivating image of a young woman in traditional dress with an out of focus background showing a traditional looking building.
The best known traditional dances in China include the dragon dance, lion dance, ribbon dance and the Yangko dance. It doesn’t appear as though our AI generated dancer in China is taking part in any of those but we simply love the lighting and backdrop of this image.
India
AI depicted our dancer in India against the backdrop of a village at sunset.
All four of the initial images AI generated for a dancer in India were women and all four showcased a similar dress to the one our final dancer wears
USA
All four initial images depicted a woman in a tutu style garment with a US flag in the image. This is one of the only countries for which AI included a flag.
AI also included the colours of the flag in the dancer’s tutu.
Indonesia
Again, all four initial images featured women. And this was amongst our favourite in terms of its beauty.
A woman in traditional dress dances on the street at what appears to be just after sunset.Though there are passersby, none appear to be watching.
Pakistan
What makes this incredible image unique amongst our collection is this is one of few instances where AI generated male dancers. All four of our images presented were of men in traditional dress.
In this one, a man dances outside in the street and the background appears to show buildings with lots of damage, destruction and rubble.
And still he dances. We thought the stark contrast of his brightly coloured traditional clothing against the fairly bleak looking background was beautiful.
Brazil
AI generated all female thumbnails again for our Brazilian dancer. And all of them had a real carnival feel. Our dancer is dressed in bright colours with face paint and dances outdoors on what appears to be a street.
Bangladesh
Our Bangladeshi dancer is dancing outdoors, as we have seen in many images so far. AI generated four images of women when asked to generate a dancer in Bangladesh. This woman dances outside in a green, lush forest opening, wearing traditional clothing. There are no spectators in this image. And, frankly, we imagine that dancing alone in a peaceful woodland would be quite an experience!
Russia
Our Russian dancer is once again female, wearing a floating red dress. She dances outside in what looks like Moscow’s Red Square. The building in the background is very reminiscent of Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Russia's capital city.
Another beautiful image of a dancer generated by AI.
Mexico
When asked to generate an image of a dancer in Mexico, AI, once again, gave us four images of women. In all cases, the women wore traditional looking dress and danced outdoors. This was our favourite of the four and we think it’s another incredible image.
Ethiopia
This image of an Ethiopian dancer is amongst our favourites. Once again, the dancing takes place outside, with people watching in the background. The backdrop looks like an Ethiopian village. The movement we see in this image is not reminiscent of the traditional Ethiopian Eskista dance that recently enjoyed viral success on Twitter. That’s a dance with more emphasis on intense shoulder movement than arms. But whatever form of dance she’s doing here - whether a traditional one or freestyle - we love it.
Japan
Bright colours, traditional dress, make up and elegant head dressing sets our Japanese dancer apart. AI once again generated images of female dancers exclusively and once again generated images of dancers outside.
This was our absolute favourite of the images it generated to represent a dancer in Japan and we think you’ll agree it’s incredibly eye-catching.
Philippines
Our dancer in the Philippines is one of very few that AI generated indoors (or in what looks like an indoor setting at least).
The fiery and bright oranges and reds of her clothing stands out from the grey background making for another striking image.
Egypt
Our Egyptian dancer is adorned in incredibly elegant traditional dress and jewels. This is another dancer who dances indoors, with an audience.
Her exposed midriff hints at the possibility that this is a type of belly dance, which is associated with Egypt.
DR Congo
This is one of very few instances where AI generated a male dancer. In fact, all four of the thumbnail images Midjourney created for us when asked to imagine a dancer in DR Congo were male.
This man dances outside in a village surrounded by onlookers, while wearing bright orange clothing.
Vietnam
Magnificent bright colours and a floral background make this image of a dancer in Vietnam stand out.
A consistent theme amongst the AI generated imagery has been bright, bold and striking colours for clothing.
Iran
In a country where it is illegal for women to dance in public and where the Hijab remains mandatory for women, we did wonder whether AI would generate male dancers. But once again, our dancer is female. She dances apparently alone in an intricate indoor setting and she’s adorned in bright floating clothing.
Outstretched hands may hint at some traditional Persian dance styles with an emphasis on lots of hand movements.
Turkey
Our Turkish dancer was also generated by AI as female (like most were). Once again we enjoy a visual treat with striking red clothing. Our dancer appears to dance in some sort of plaza or square watched by onlookers.
Germany
A female dancer dances outdoors in Germany for this image. The backdrop’s architecture has a Bavarian feel to it and people appear to walk around largely ignoring the dancer as opposed to spectating.
You’ll notice one of the dancer’s hands is not formed correctly and this is amongst a number of common “glitches” in AI image generation that are being slowly overcome as the technology improves.
Thailand
Our Thai dancer is in a minority of those that AI generated dancing in what appears to be an indoor setting.
We love the elaborate costume, which reflects the fact that traditional forms of dance in Thailand are renowned for their costumes.
Another impressive example of AI imagery.
UK
Our UK dancer is again a female dancer, dancing outdoors. Rainy and grey, she dances on what appears to be a shopping street of some sort, while umbrella carrying passersby ignore her.
We love the contrast of the blue hues in her clothing against an otherwise very dull, great image.
Tanzania
Without doubt, our Tanzanian dancer is the happiest in this collection. Wide smiles and happy eyes, a colourful costume and colourfully dressed spectators make this, without doubt, the most feel-good image in this collection.
France
There are many similarities between this and the image of the dancer in the UK. Both dance on a street, albeit the weather looks considerably better in France.
It has the look of a Parisian Street and, much like the case in our UK image, others on the street largely go about their day without watching.
South Africa
We think this AI image of a dancer in South Africa is amongst the most breathtaking in this collection. She dances outside at sunset alone and appears strong and focussed. A simply stunning image.
AI Biases
By its very nature, AI must learn from sources that already exist.
So the fact that AI has generated almost all images of women when asked to generate a dancer is the result of the documents it has learned from (millions of other images and text).
It’s AI’s learning that will also have it lean towards painting the UK as a dreary rainy place!!
AI has a long way to go in terms of perfect imagery. But we were stunned by the beauty of the images we were able to generate that showcase dance around the world.