Writing Effective Image Prompts
The quality of your generated images depends heavily on your prompts. Let's master the art of prompt engineering.
The Anatomy of a Great Prompt
[Subject] + [Setting] + [Lighting] + [Style] + [Technical] + [Mood]
Subject Description
Be specific about your subject:
- ❌ "A woman"
- ✅ "A 30-year-old Japanese woman with short black hair, wearing a traditional blue kimono"
Setting & Environment
Describe the world:
- ❌ "In a city"
- ✅ "On a rain-soaked Tokyo street at night, neon signs reflecting off wet pavement, steam rising from food stalls"
Lighting
Lighting sets the mood:
- "Golden hour sunlight streaming through windows"
- "Dramatic chiaroscuro lighting"
- "Soft, diffused overcast lighting"
- "Neon-lit cyberpunk atmosphere"
Style Keywords
| Style | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Photorealistic | "photorealistic, 8K, hyperdetailed" |
| Cinematic | "cinematic lighting, film grain, anamorphic" |
| Animated | "Pixar style, 3D rendered, stylized" |
| Artistic | "oil painting style, impressionist" |
Camera & Composition
- "extreme close-up on eyes"
- "wide establishing shot"
- "over-the-shoulder shot"
- "low angle looking up"
- "bird's eye view"
- "Dutch angle for tension"
Mood & Atmosphere
- "melancholic, somber mood"
- "vibrant and energetic"
- "mysterious and foreboding"
- "warm and nostalgic"
Pro Tips
- Be specific - Vague prompts give unpredictable results
- Front-load important details - AI pays more attention to the beginning
- Use quality modifiers - "masterpiece, best quality, highly detailed"
- Avoid negatives - Describe what you want, not what you don't want
- Iterate - Generate multiple times and refine your prompt