How to Write Better AI Image Prompts: 15 Pro Tips

Creating stunning AI-generated images starts with writing effective prompts. Here are 15 professional tips to dramatically improve your results.

Tip 1: Be Specific, Not Vague

❌ "A dog in a park" ✅ "A golden retriever playing fetch in Central Park, autumn leaves on the ground, late afternoon sunlight, candid photography style"

Specificity gives the AI clear direction and reduces randomness in outputs.

Tip 2: Use the Subject-Style-Setting Framework

Structure your prompts with three core elements:

1. Subject: What's the main focus?
2. Style: How should it look?
3. Setting: Where is it?

Example: "A cyberpunk samurai (subject) in neon-lit anime style (style) standing on a Tokyo rooftop at night (setting)"

Tip 3: Leverage Artist and Style References

Reference specific artists or art movements:

• "in the style of Studio Ghibli"
• "reminiscent of Monet's water lilies"
• "art deco poster design"
• "Baroque painting with dramatic chiaroscuro"

Tip 4: Master Lighting Descriptions

Lighting dramatically affects mood:

• Golden hour: Warm, soft, romantic
• Blue hour: Cool, mysterious, cinematic
• Rembrandt lighting: Dramatic, classical portraits
• Neon lighting: Cyberpunk, modern, edgy
• Backlit/silhouette: Dramatic, mysterious

Tip 5: Include Camera and Lens Details

For photorealistic images:

• "Shot on Canon EOS R5, 85mm f/1.4"
• "Wide angle lens, 16mm"
• "Macro photography, extreme close-up"
• "Tilt-shift miniature effect"

Tip 6: Specify Aspect Ratios Purposefully

• 16:9: Cinematic, landscapes, YouTube thumbnails
• 1:1: Social media, portraits
• 9:16: Mobile, stories, TikTok
• 2:3: Classic photography, prints

Tip 7: Use Weighted Keywords

Many AI tools support keyword weighting:

• (keyword:1.5) = more emphasis
• (keyword:0.5) = less emphasis
• [[keyword]] = strong emphasis (model-dependent)

Tip 8: Employ Negative Prompts

Tell the AI what to avoid:

• "no text, no watermarks"
• "avoid blurry, low quality"
• "exclude extra limbs, deformed hands"

Tip 9: Layer Your Descriptions

Build prompts in layers:

1. Main subject
2. Subject details
3. Environment
4. Lighting
5. Style
6. Technical specs

Tip 10: Use Sensory Language

Engage multiple senses:

• Texture: "velvet smooth", "rough hewn", "glossy"
• Temperature: "warm glow", "icy blue", "steamy"
• Movement: "flowing", "frozen in motion", "dynamic"

Tip 11: Reference Time Periods

Temporal context adds authenticity:

• "1920s art deco"
• "Victorian era"
• "Y2K aesthetic"
• "Retro 80s"
• "Near-future 2050"

Tip 12: Describe Emotions and Atmosphere

• "melancholic and nostalgic"
• "energetic and vibrant"
• "peaceful and serene"
• "tense and dramatic"

Tip 13: Use Color Theory

Specify color palettes:

• "Complementary colors: orange and blue"
• "Monochromatic blue palette"
• "Warm earth tones"
• "Pastel color scheme"
• "High contrast black and white"

Tip 14: Iterate and Refine

Don't expect perfection on the first try:

1. Start with a basic prompt
2. Analyze the output
3. Identify what's missing or wrong
4. Adjust specific elements
5. Repeat until satisfied

Tip 15: Learn from Reverse Engineering

Use tools like Image to Prompt to analyze successful images. Understanding what prompts create great results helps you develop intuition for effective descriptions.

Putting It All Together

Here's a comprehensive prompt using multiple tips:

"A wise elderly wizard with a long silver beard, wearing deep purple robes embroidered with golden constellations, standing in an ancient library filled with floating books and soft candlelight, dust particles visible in warm light beams, painted in the style of classical fantasy art with rich oil painting textures, dramatic Rembrandt lighting, 2:3 aspect ratio, highly detailed, masterpiece quality"

Conclusion

Writing better prompts is a skill that improves with practice. Start implementing these tips one at a time, and you'll see immediate improvements in your AI-generated images.