Master the art of writing AI image prompts. Comprehensive guide with techniques, examples, and best practices for creating stunning AI-generated images.

Prompt Writing Guide

The key to creating amazing AI-generated images is writing effective prompts. This guide will teach you the art and science of prompt engineering for GLMImage.

Understanding Prompts

A prompt is your instruction to the AI - it tells the AI what you want to create. The better your prompt, the better your results.

Golden Rule: Be specific, descriptive, and intentional. Every word in your prompt influences the output.

The Anatomy of a Great Prompt

A well-structured prompt includes these elements:

[Subject] + [Action/Context] + [Artistic Style] + [Composition/Framing] + [Lighting/Atmosphere] + [Quality Keywords]

Element Breakdown

Element	Purpose	Examples
Subject	Main focus of the image	"a young woman," "a futuristic city," "a red sports car"
Action/Context	What's happening	"reading in a library," "at sunset," "racing on a track"
Artistic Style	Visual aesthetic	"photorealistic," "oil painting," "anime style," "concept art"
Composition	How elements are arranged	"close-up portrait," "wide angle shot," "bird's eye view"
Lighting	Light source and quality	"golden hour," "neon lights," "soft diffuse light"
Atmosphere	Mood and feeling	"peaceful," "dramatic," "mysterious," "joyful"
Quality	Technical quality	"4k," "highly detailed," "sharp focus," "professional"

Prompt Building Framework

Start with the Subject

Begin with a clear, specific subject.

"a dog"

Add Context and Action

Describe what's happening and where.

"outside"

Define the Style

Specify the artistic style or medium.

"nice style"

Add Lighting and Atmosphere

Describe the mood and lighting.

"good lighting"

Include Quality Keywords

Add technical quality descriptors.

"high quality"

Advanced Prompting Techniques

Style Blending

Combine multiple styles for unique results:

"A portrait of a woman, blending Renaissance painting with cyberpunk elements, dramatic chiaroscuro lighting, neon accents"

Artist References

Reference specific art styles (not copyrighted works):

"Japanese ukiyo-e style, inspired by Hokusai, Mount Fuji in background, Great Wave composition"

Camera Specifications

For photorealistic results, include camera settings:

"Canon EOS R5, 50mm f/1.2 lens, portrait mode, shallow depth of field, bokeh background"

Color Palette

Specify colors for mood:

"A serene beach scene, pastel color palette, soft blues and pinks, dreamy aesthetic"

Emotional Direction

Add emotional keywords:

"A nostalgic 1950s diner scene, warm and inviting, sense of longing and comfort"

Prompt Templates

Portrait Photography

"[Age] [gender] with [distinctive features], [expression] [action/context], [lighting], [camera details], [atmosphere]"

Example: "A young woman with flowing auburn hair, smiling warmly at the camera, wearing a cream sweater, soft natural light from window, shallow depth of field, 85mm lens, cozy indoor setting"

Landscape Photography

"[Landscape type] [location features], [time of day], [weather/atmosphere], [lighting], [composition], [quality keywords]"

Example: "Dramatic mountain range with snow-capped peaks, golden hour lighting, scattered clouds casting shadows, vast valley in foreground, ultra wide angle, photorealistic, 8k"

Fantasy/Concept Art

"[Subject/creature], [setting], [magical elements], [art style], [mood], [color scheme], [detail level]"

Example: "A wise ancient dragon resting on treasure hoard, underground cavern with bioluminescent crystals, oil painting style, mystical atmosphere, rich golds and deep purples, intricate details"

Product Photography

"[Product name/type], [arrangement], [background], [lighting setup], [camera angle], [professional quality]"

Example: "Luxury perfume bottle on marble surface, elegant reflection, studio lighting with softbox, front view, minimalist composition, professional product photography, 4k"

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Prompt Optimization Checklist

Before generating, check your prompt:

Prompt Checklist

Can you picture exactly what you want? If not, add more specific details about the main subject.

Have you indicated the artistic style? (photorealistic, painting, anime, etc.)

What's the light source? (sunlight, studio, neon, candle, etc.)

How should the image be framed? (portrait, landscape, close-up, wide angle)

Add terms like 'detailed,' 'sharp,' 'professional,' or resolution indicators.

What emotion should the viewer feel? (peaceful, dramatic, mysterious, joyful)

Iteration Strategy

Perfect prompts through iteration:

First Pass - Basic

Start with a simple prompt to establish the base composition.

"A woman in a red dress walking down a city street at night"

Second Pass - Add Style

Add artistic direction.

"A woman in a flowing red silk dress walking down a rain-soaked city street at night, cinematic lighting, film noir style"

Third Pass - Refine Details

Add specific details and quality keywords.

"A woman in a flowing red silk dress walking down a rain-soaked city street at night, cinematic lighting, film noir style, neon signs reflecting on wet pavement, mysterious atmosphere, highly detailed, photorealistic"

Final Pass - Polish

Fine-tune for the perfect result.

"An elegant woman in a flowing red silk dress walking down a rain-soaked city street at night, cinematic lighting with neon signs reflecting on wet pavement, film noir style, mysterious and nostalgic atmosphere, ultra detailed, photorealistic, 8k, shot on Arri Alexa"

Putting It All Together

Example: Building a Complete Prompt

Let's create a prompt for a fantasy landscape:

Subject

Add Context

Add Style

Add Lighting

Add Composition

Add Quality

Quick Reference Keywords

Lighting Keywords

Golden hour, blue hour, noon, midnight
Soft light, harsh light, diffused light
Rim light, backlight, sidelight
Neon glow, candlelight, moonlight
Studio lighting, natural window light

Style Keywords

Photorealistic, hyperrealistic
Oil painting, watercolor, acrylic
Digital art, concept art, illustration
Anime, manga, cartoon
Sketch, pencil, charcoal
Minimalist, maximalist

Quality Keywords

4k, 8k, 16k, ultra HD
Highly detailed, intricate
Sharp focus, crystal clear
Professional, award-winning
Masterpiece, stunning

Atmosphere Keywords

Peaceful, serene, tranquil
Dramatic, intense, powerful
Mysterious, enigmatic, cryptic
Joyful, cheerful, vibrant
Melancholic, nostalgic, longing

What's Next?

Continue improving your AI image generation skills:

Text-to-Image Tutorial - Put prompts into practice
Image-to-Image Tutorial - Transform with prompts
FAQ - More help and answers

Key Takeaways:

Structure your prompts: Subject + Context + Style + Lighting + Atmosphere + Quality
Be specific and descriptive
Always include lighting and style
Iterate and refine your prompts
Avoid contradictory terms and negatives
Use the checklist before generating