This guide breaks down how to write powerful prompts for image-generating AI. A good prompt is like a recipe; the more specific you are, the better the final result.

Core Elements of a Good Prompt

Think of your prompt in six parts. You don’t have to use all of them, but including a few will help you get a much better image.

Category	Ask Yourself	Examples
Subject	Who or what is in the image? Be specific.	A stoic robot barista with glowing blue optics; a fluffy calico cat wearing a tiny wizard hat.
Composition	How is the shot framed?	Extreme close-up, wide shot, low angle shot, portrait.
Action	What is happening?	Brewing a cup of coffee, casting a magical spell, mid-stride running through a field.
Location	Where does the scene take place?	A futuristic cafe on Mars, a cluttered alchemist’s library, a sun-drenched meadow at golden hour.
Style	What is the overall aesthetic?	3D animation, film noir, watercolor painting, photorealistic, 1990s product photography.
Editing Instructions	For modifying an existing image, be direct and specific.	Change the man’s tie to green, remove the car in the background.

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Practical Prompting Tips

Beyond the core elements, these pro tips can help you get exactly what you want from the AI.

• Be detailed. The more information you provide, the better the model will understand your vision.
• Maintain character consistency. When editing an image, specify what part of the character you want to keep and what you want to change (e.g., “keep face, change hair”).
• Edit a specific part of an image. Be specific about the location and size of the edit.
• Retouch or increase quality. Specify the repairs you want to make, such as “fill in this tear” or “make it look like it was taken from an iPhone.”
• Undo/revert edits. If you need to revert to a previous version, start a new session with the last good image you had.
• Specify aspect ratio. The model’s aspect ratio can be inconsistent, so it helps to specify the resolution you want.
• Create photo-realistic images. If you want a realistic image, be sure to specify that the image needs to be photorealistic.