How to Prompt for AI Image Generation

Modern image models, such as Nano Banana 2.1, GPT Image 2.5, FLUX 3 Image, and Midjourney, understand full sentences. Describe the image like you are briefing a photographer or illustrator, clearly and specifically.

If you can picture it clearly, you can describe it clearly.

Subject

Who or what, with key details

Action

What they are doing

Setting

Where, and when

Composition

Framing and angle

Lighting

Type, direction, and mood

Style

Photo, illustration, 3D, or painting

Color

Palette and grade

Format

Aspect ratio and purpose

Vague

A woman in a cafe

Specific

A woman in her 30s with short curly hair and a green wool coat, reading a paperback at a window table in a small Paris cafe

• Shot size: close-up, medium shot, wide shot
• Angle: eye level, low angle, top-down
• Lens: 35mm for natural, 85mm for portraits, wide-angle for drama
• Depth of field: shallow for blurred backgrounds
• Placement: subject on the left, space for text on the right

• Golden hour, soft window light, or studio softbox
• Hard sunlight for contrast
• Neon or candlelight for atmosphere
• Say the mood: calm, tense, joyful, mysterious

Describe the style in your own words instead of naming living artists:

• “Flat vector illustration with bold outlines”
• “Soft watercolor with visible paper texture”
• “Realistic product photo on a white background”
• “Cinematic film still, muted colors”

• Put exact words in quotes
• Say where the text goes and its style
• Keep text short
• Check spelling in every result

A bold poster that says “SUMMER SALE” in large white letters at the top, on a bright coral background.

1:1

Feeds and profile images

4:5

Instagram and Facebook feeds

9:16

Stories, Reels, and phone wallpapers

16:9

Thumbnails, banners, and slides

• Upload a product or character image to keep it consistent
• Say what to keep: “Keep the product, label, and colors unchanged”
• Say what to change: background, lighting, or outfit
• Use the same references for a whole series

• Change one thing at a time
• “Make the sky a sunset, keep everything else the same”
• “Remove the person in the background”
• “Change the jacket to navy blue”

A close-up product photo of a matte black water bottle on a wet granite rock beside a mountain stream, morning mist, soft side light, shallow depth of field, cool blue and green tones, realistic, space for text on the left, 4:5.

• Do not create realistic images of real people without consent
• Do not copy logos, characters, or brands
• Label realistic AI images where platforms require it
• Check each tool’s commercial-use terms