Image Prompting

Some of the best prompts contain instructions along these lines. This is a good starting point for anyone show who would like to start with text to image generation. I'll keep sharing what I learn with you.

Use clear words, plain English

The medium. Is this a photo. anime. oil painting. surreal art.

Identify the subject and content of the image. Stay basic to start. 'Woman Swimming Butterfly.'

Then, add an adjective. Woman swimming butterfly in massive pool'

Think about the action: Coming out of the water or underwater

Offer some detail of the activity within the shot. Water splashing swimming cap. goggles.

Offer a mood. Energetic. Excitement. Crowds are cheering.

Lighting. Just describe the time of day. Day. Night. Twilight. Golden Hour. The lighting can also come from "one side". Or it can be "back lit"

Something technical helps. I'm not a photographer nor particularly technical, but I know if mention Aspect Ratio, I'll get a good shot. And 16:9 is standard and modern. It looks like this in a prompt in Midjouney for instance "-- ar 16:9" If you want to get sexy and cinematic you can put this -- ar 2390:1000. Or if you like short cuts like me just use the world "cinematic" or "award winning cinematic shot! "

Play around with these words to get different shots : "Shallow Depth of Field" This is good for closeups and makes your subject more accentuated . "large depth of field" keeps everything in the image sharp. For more on specific types of shot prompts go here. This is a good top ten. I like typing in "Ariel Drone" for a shot as I get cool images.

Think about the background for the image. Plain. Lights.

Other Learnings:

Shots do not come out for me on the first try. I have to try many seconds before I get one shot I think I can use. Keep refining prompts. Get really creative and even describe how something may smell or feel. More detail the better. Here's a good example i picked up with someone's detailed prompt:

Instead of asking for a “bird”, try something like “Picture a magnificent Scarlet Macaw in full flight against the backdrop of a vibrant tropical sunset. The sky is painted in hues of fiery orange, deep purples, and warm pinks as the sun dips below the horizon. The Scarlet Macaw’s brilliant scarlet plumage is illuminated by the golden rays of the setting sun, creating a striking contrast against the twilight sky. The bird’s outstretched wings showcase a vivid blend of red, yellow, and blue feathers, and its long tail feathers trail gracefully behind, adding to the overall spectacle. The macaw’s beak is open in mid-call, capturing a moment of its majestic flight in this tropical paradise..”

Metaphors and similies. Use them in prompts. You can also generate images from abstract concepts, hypothetical scenarios, or even surreal ideas.