Mastering Prompt Engineering: 10 Tips for Better AI Images

The Art of Prompt Engineering

Prompt engineering is the skill of crafting text descriptions that consistently produce the AI-generated images you want. It's part science, part art, and with practice, you'll develop an intuition for what works.

Tip 1: Start with a Clear Subject

Always begin your prompt with the main subject. The AI pays more attention to the beginning of your prompt.

Weak: "Beautiful landscape with mountains and a red barn"
Strong: "A red barn nestled in rolling green hills, majestic snow-capped mountains in the background"

Tip 2: Use Specific Adjectives

Vague descriptions produce vague results. Be precise with your descriptors.

Vague: "A pretty woman"
Specific: "A young woman with curly auburn hair, freckles, warm smile, wearing a vintage floral dress"

Tip 3: Describe the Lighting

Lighting dramatically affects mood and quality. Include lighting details in your prompts.

Examples:

• "Golden hour sunlight streaming through windows"


• "Dramatic rim lighting against a dark background"


• "Soft, diffused overcast lighting"


• "Neon lights reflecting on wet streets"


• "Candlelit, warm and intimate"

Tip 4: Specify the Camera Angle

Think like a photographer or cinematographer:

• "Close-up portrait"


• "Wide-angle establishing shot"


• "Bird's eye view"


• "Low angle, looking up"


• "Over-the-shoulder shot"


• "Dutch angle for dramatic effect"

Tip 5: Reference Art Styles and Artists

You can guide the aesthetic by mentioning styles or artists:

• "In the style of Studio Ghibli"


• "Reminiscent of Van Gogh's brushwork"


• "Art deco influenced"


• "Baroque painting style"


• "Modern minimalist illustration"

Tip 6: Include Technical Photography Terms

For photorealistic images, use camera terminology:

• "85mm portrait lens, shallow depth of field"


• "Shot on Hasselblad, medium format"


• "Long exposure, light trails"


• "Macro photography, extreme detail"


• "Tilt-shift miniature effect"

Tip 7: Set the Mood with Emotional Keywords

Emotional descriptors influence the overall feeling:

• "Peaceful, serene, tranquil"


• "Mysterious, eerie, unsettling"


• "Joyful, vibrant, energetic"


• "Melancholic, nostalgic, wistful"


• "Epic, grandiose, awe-inspiring"

Tip 8: Use Negative Space Wisely

Describe what you don't want to see:

• "Clean background, no distractions"


• "Minimalist composition"


• "Subject isolated against plain backdrop"

Tip 9: Layer Your Details

Build your prompt in layers:

• Subject: "A steampunk robot"


• Action: "reading an ancient book"


• Setting: "in a Victorian library"


• Lighting: "warm lamplight, dust particles in the air"


• Style: "highly detailed digital painting"


• Mood: "contemplative and mysterious"

Combined: "A steampunk robot reading an ancient book in a Victorian library, warm lamplight illuminating the scene with dust particles floating in the air, highly detailed digital painting, contemplative and mysterious atmosphere"

Tip 10: Iterate and Refine

Your first prompt rarely produces the perfect image. Use this workflow:

• Start with a basic prompt


• Generate 2-3 variations


• Identify what works and what doesn't


• Add or remove specific elements


• Regenerate and compare


• Save successful prompts for future reference

Prompt Templates

Here are some templates to get you started:

Portrait Template:
"[Subject description], [clothing/accessories], [expression], [lighting type], [background], [art style], [mood]"

Landscape Template:
"[Location/setting], [time of day], [weather/atmosphere], [focal point], [style], [color palette]"

Product Template:
"[Product] on [surface], [lighting setup], [background], professional product photography, [additional details]"

Common Prompt Mistakes

• Contradicting yourself: "Bright sunny day with dark moody shadows"


• Too many subjects: Focus on one main subject


• Forgetting composition: Where should the viewer's eye go?


• Ignoring context: A subject needs an environment


• Being too literal: Leave room for AI creativity

Practice Exercise

Try these prompts and compare results:

• "Cat" vs "A fluffy orange tabby cat with emerald eyes, lounging on a velvet cushion, soft window light, portrait photography"

• "City" vs "Cyberpunk cityscape at night, neon signs reflecting on rain-soaked streets, flying cars in the distance, blade runner aesthetic"

The difference in quality will demonstrate the power of detailed prompts.

Master these techniques, and you'll consistently create stunning AI artwork that matches your creative vision.