SREF codes
Chiaroscuro Masquerade
--sref 40 --v 8.2
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Observations
The style uses highly realistic, finely rendered portraiture with dramatic directional lighting, deep shadows, and warm subdued tones. It combines theatrical period costume, expressive poses, staged group scenes, and selective focus against dark studio-like backgrounds, giving the images a monumental, painterly-cinematic presentation.
Look terms
Style qualityDetailed7,559Realistic2,248
TechniqueShallow focus828
Colour schemeHigh contrast5,161Subdued2,599
GenreCinematic1,255
Colours
Earlier versions
Same code, different picture. Midjourney changed how it reads SREF codes after V6.1, so V8.2 turns this code into a new style. The old one still works: add or .
Applications
abstract 3D render --sref 40 --v 7
megacity with futuristic bioarchitecture --sref 40 --v 7
concept art character design of retropunk steam knight --sref 40 --v 7
retro fairy-tale illustration --sref 40 --v 7
haute-couture fashion outfit --sref 40 --v 7
traditional folk art --sref 40 --v 7
bold minimalist logo design for Istanbul city municipal services --sref 40 --v 7
black-and-white manga comic strip --sref 40 --niji 6
cinematic shot from sci-fi movie --sref 40 --v 7
classical 18th-century oil painting --sref 40 --v 7
creative pattern composition --sref 40 --v 7
realistic landscape photograph of quiet dawn --sref 40 --style raw --v 7
photographic portrait of female protagonist --sref 40 --v 7
technical infrastructure blueprint schematics --sref 40 --v 7
editorial illustration for popular scientific magazine cover --sref 40 --v 7
typographic composition with large letters --sref 40 --v 7
Midlibrary --sref 40 --v 7
abstract 3D render --sref 40 --v 6.1
megacity with futuristic bioarchitecture --sref 40 --v 6.1
concept art character design of retropunk steam knight --sref 40 --v 6.1
retro fairy-tale illustration --sref 40 --v 6.1
haute-couture fashion outfit --sref 40 --v 6.1
traditional folk art --sref 40 --v 6.1
bold minimalist logo design for Istanbul city municipal services --sref 40 --v 6.1
black-and-white manga comic strip --sref 40 --niji 6
cinematic shot from sci-fi movie --sref 40 --v 6.1
classical 18th-century oil painting --sref 40 --v 6.1
creative pattern composition --sref 40 --v 6.1
realistic landscape photograph of quiet dawn --sref 40 --style raw --v 6.1
photographic portrait of female protagonist --sref 40 --v 6.1
technical infrastructure blueprint schematics --sref 40 --v 6.1
editorial illustration for popular scientific magazine cover --sref 40 --v 6.1
typographic composition with large letters --sref 40 --v 6.1
Midlibrary --sref 40 --v 6.1
Similar styles
Photographers
Fashion designers
Photographers
Photographers