AI Prompting Guide
Master the art of writing effective prompts for AI image generation. Learn key principles, structure techniques, and ready-to-use examples to get consistently great results.
Key Principles
TotalApp's AI image generator uses natural language — no codes, weights, or special flags. Write as you would describe an image to a friend and the AI will understand.
Order Matters
The earlier a subject appears in your prompt, the more emphasis it receives. Put your most important element first.
No Technical Flags
Forget --ar, ::1, or parentheses. Simply describe what you want in plain sentences.
Descriptive Colours
Instead of hex codes, use colour words: "warm golden yellow", "dusty rose", "deep midnight blue".
Use Full Sentences
While keyword lists work, full sentences give the AI richer context about composition and relationships.
Language Tip
English yields the most consistent results, especially when images include text. Enable Magic Prompt to auto-translate and enhance prompts written in other languages.
Prompt Structure
Well-structured prompts follow a logical order that mirrors how a photographer or director thinks:
Example — Portrait Photography
"Professional headshot of a confident businesswoman in a modern office, soft natural lighting, shallow depth of field, high resolution"
| Prompt Length | Best For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Short (10–20 words) | Simple, focused concepts | "Minimalist product shot, white background, professional lighting" |
| Medium (20–40 words) | Most everyday use cases | "Cyberpunk city at night, neon signs reflecting on wet pavement, cinematic lighting" |
| Detailed (40+ words) | Complex, precise scenes | "Epic fantasy castle on misty mountain, storm clouds, golden sunset light breaking through, photorealistic, cinematic composition" |
Style & Artistic Direction
Specifying an artistic style tells the AI how to render the image, not just what to depict.
Photography Styles
"Professional headshot", "street photography", "macro photography", "aerial bird's eye view", "long-exposure night shot"
Digital & 3D Art
"Digital painting", "3D render", "vector illustration", "concept art", "cinematic CGI"
Traditional Art
"Watercolour painting", "oil painting", "pencil sketch", "ink illustration", "charcoal drawing"
Historical & Vintage
"1950s advertisement", "Victorian era engraving", "Art Deco poster", "Mid-century modern graphic"
Lighting Keywords
- Golden Hour: "Warm golden hour lighting, long shadows, soft diffused light"
- Rembrandt: "Rembrandt lighting, triangle of light on cheek, dramatic portrait"
- Neon / Cyberpunk: "Cyberpunk neon lighting, vibrant pink and blue glow, urban night"
- Soft Studio: "Butterfly lighting from above, glamour portrait, soft shadow under nose"
Ready-to-Use Examples
Copy and adapt these proven prompts for your own projects:
Landscape
"Serene mountain landscape at golden hour, misty valleys, pine forests, warm colour palette, cinematic composition"
Portrait
"Vintage portrait of an elderly man, weathered face, black-and-white photography, dramatic lighting, film grain"
Surreal / Creative
"Floating city in the clouds, steampunk architecture, warm sunset lighting, highly detailed digital art"
Product
"Lifestyle product photography, artisan coffee cup on rustic wooden table, natural morning light, cozy atmosphere"
Architecture
"Modern glass skyscraper facade, geometric lines, blue hour lighting, professional real estate photography"
Food
"Fine dining presentation, gourmet plated dish, elegant garnish, soft restaurant lighting, Michelin star quality"
Advanced Techniques
Iterative Refinement
Start simple and layer in detail with each attempt:
Basic: "Dog in park"
Better: "Golden retriever playing in autumn park"
Best: "Happy golden retriever running through fallen leaves, golden hour lighting, shallow depth of field, professional photography"
Positive Framing
Describe what you want, not what you don't want:
Instead of "no blur" → use "sharp focus, crisp details, high clarity"
Instead of "not dark" → use "bright, well-lit, vibrant lighting"
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too vague: "Beautiful sunset" → "Dramatic ocean sunset with orange and pink clouds, silhouetted palm trees"
- Conflicting styles: Avoid "realistic cartoon" — choose one visual direction
- Ignoring composition: Always mention framing, angle, or perspective
- Overloading: Keep prompts focused — too many competing ideas dilute results
Using Style References
You can reference well-known artistic styles and techniques to guide the AI:
- "In the style of Ansel Adams landscape photography"
- "Art Deco poster design with geometric patterns"
- "Studio lighting like Richard Avedon portraits"
- "Wabi-sabi Japanese aesthetic, natural materials, minimalist zen"
Camera & Lens Terminology
| Term | Effect | Example Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| f/1.4 aperture | Creamy bokeh background | "Shot at f/1.4, extremely shallow depth of field, subject sharp" |
| 50mm lens | Natural human-eye perspective | "50mm portrait lens, natural field of view, versatile composition" |
| Long exposure | Silky water, light trails | "Long exposure, light trails, smooth water motion blur" |
| Macro | Extreme close-up detail | "Macro lens, minute details visible, 1:1 magnification" |