AI Image Prompt: An illustration in the style of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks. The image shows the anatomy of a perfect AI prompt, breaking it down into sections like ‘Subject’, ‘Style’, ‘Lighting’, and ‘Composition’, with hand-written annotations and arrows. Sepia tones, intricate details on aged paper. –ar 16:9
Have you ever typed a prompt into an AI image generator and gotten a result that was… underwhelming? You’re not alone. The truth is, these incredible AI tools, whether free like Google Gemini’s or subscription-based like Midjourney, don’t read your mind—they follow your instructions.
The quality of your output is directly tied to the quality of your input. Fortunately, there’s a formula for writing the best prompts. This guide will break it down for you.
The Core Formula for a Perfect Prompt
Think of your prompt as a recipe. You need the right ingredients in the right order to get a delicious result. Most great prompts contain four key elements:
[Subject] + [Action or Setting] + [Style] + [Composition & Details]
Let’s break down each part.
1. The Subject: Be Clear and Unambiguous
This is the “what” of your image. Your goal here is to be as specific as possible.
- Good:
A dog - Better:
A golden retriever - Best:
A fluffy, happy golden retriever puppy
The more precise your subject description, the less the AI has to guess.
2. The Action or Setting: Give Context
Where is your subject, and what is it doing? This adds life and story to your image.
- Simple:
A fluffy, happy golden retriever puppy - With Context:
A fluffy, happy golden retriever puppy chasing a red ball in a sun-drenched public park
3. The Style: The Most Powerful Element
This is where the magic happens. The style instruction tells the AI how to render the image. This single element can completely transform your output.
- By Medium:
oil painting,watercolor sketch,3D render,line art,photograph - By Artistic Movement:
impressionism,surrealism,cyberpunk,Art Deco,pop art - By Artist:
in the style of Vincent van Gogh,in the style of Hayao Miyazaki,in the style of Ansel Adams - By Aesthetic:
minimalist,vintage,futuristic,gothic,bohemian
Let’s add a style to our prompt:
A fluffy, happy golden retriever puppy chasing a red ball in a sun-drenched public park, in the style of a heartwarming Disney animated film
4. Composition & Details: Fine-Tuning Your Masterpiece
These are the final instructions that take your image from good to great. Think like a director or photographer.
- Camera Angle:
close-up,extreme close-up,wide shot,aerial view,low angle shot - Lighting:
cinematic lighting,soft morning light,dramatic studio lighting,neon glow,golden hour - Level of Detail:
highly detailed,intricate,8K,hyperrealistic - Color Palette:
vibrant colors,monochromatic black and white,pastel color palette,earthy tones
Let’s finalize our prompt with these details:
Wide shot of a fluffy, happy golden retriever puppy chasing a red ball in a sun-drenched public park, in the style of a heartwarming Disney animated film, cinematic lighting, vibrant colors, highly detailed.
Does This Work on Free AI Image Generators?
Absolutely. This formula is universal because it’s based on how these AI models learn to associate words with images. Whether you’re using the free image generation in Google Gemini, Microsoft Designer (with DALL-E 3), or a paid tool, providing clear, structured instructions will always yield better results.
Start with this formula, and you’ll be amazed at how much your AI creations improve. Happy prompting!
