Pro Tips - PromptVault

Composition & Framing

Rule of Thirds

Place your subject off-center for more dynamic compositions. Divide your image into nine equal parts and align key elements along these lines.

Prompt Example: "Subject positioned left third, rule of thirds composition"

Leading Lines

Use lines to guide the viewer's eye through the image. Roads, rivers, or architectural elements create visual flow.

          Prompt Example: "Leading lines converging toward subject, strong compositional flow"
        

Negative Space

Strategic empty space makes subjects stand out. Don't fill every inch of your frame.

          Prompt Example: "Minimal subject with expansive negative space, minimalist composition"
        

Aspect Ratio Mastery

Different ratios suit different subjects. Landscape (16:9), portrait (3:4), or square (1:1).

16:9: Panoramic landscapes
4:3: Balanced compositions
1:1: Portraits and products
3:2: Cinematic feel

Camera Perspective

Specific angles dramatically change impact. Worm's eye view vs. bird's eye view tell different stories.

Prompt Example: "Shot from below, looking up at subject, dramatic perspective"

Framing Within Frame

Use natural frames (windows, doorways, trees) to create layers and draw focus.

Prompt Example: "Subject framed by ornate doorway, natural framing"

Lighting Techniques

Golden Hour Magic

The hour after sunrise or before sunset creates warm, flattering light with long shadows.

Prompt Keywords: golden hour, warm sunlight, soft shadows, sunset glow

Studio Lighting

Professional three-point lighting: key light, fill light, and back light create perfect control.

Key light: dominant light source

Fill light: softens shadows

Back light: separates subject from background

Rim Lighting

Light from behind creates a glowing edge, separating subject from background beautifully.

Prompt Example: "Rim light around subject, backlit, luminous edges"

Soft vs Hard Light

Soft light: diffused, flattering, minimal shadows. Hard light: dramatic, high contrast.

Soft Lighting

Overcast day, diffused studio lights, cloudy light - use for beauty, portraits

Hard Lighting

Harsh sunlight, spotlights, dramatic shadows - use for drama, mystery

Color Temperature

Warm light (2700K) creates cozy feelings. Cool light (5600K+) feels clinical or icy.

Warm: Candlelight, sunset, fireplace
Cool: Moonlight, neon, fluorescent
Neutral: Midday sun, professional lighting

Volumetric Lighting

Light beams visible through particles or fog create atmosphere and depth.

Prompt Example: "Volumetric lighting, god rays, atmospheric light beams"

Style Blending & Artistry

Combining Art Styles

Blend multiple artistic styles for unique results. Specify the proportion of each influence.

oil painting, watercolor wash, pencil sketch details

70% renaissance, 30% modern abstract

digital illustration with oil paint texture

Artist Name Fusion

Reference multiple artists to create a unique style that blends their characteristics.

Effective Blending

"In the style of Rembrandt meets digital art, with Beksinski's atmosphere"

Cinema References

Use film cinematography styles for visual language. Different directors have distinct looks.

Wes Anderson: Symmetry, pastel colors, whimsy
Blade Runner: Cyberpunk, neon, rain, darkness
Studio Ghibli: Soft colors, dreamy, emotional
Dune: Grandiose, desert, golden light

Media & Medium

Specify the medium for consistent artistic direction: oil, watercolor, digital, 3D, etc.

Prompt Example: "Oil on canvas with gold leaf accents, museum quality"

Color Grading

Color scheme dramatically affects mood. Specify color palettes and undertones.

Warm: Sepia, golden, amber tones
Cool: Blue, cyan, purple tones
Desaturated: Muted, dusty, vintage
Vibrant: Saturated, bold, pop art

Texture Layering

Add surface details for realism and tactile quality.

oil paint texture, visible brushstrokes

weathered wood grain, rust patina

fabric weave, embroidered details

Advanced Prompt Syntax

Weight Modifiers

Control emphasis of specific elements using weight syntax. Higher numbers = more emphasis.

subject::2 | background::0.5

dramatic lighting::1.5 | dark shadows::1.2

sharp focus::1.8 | motion blur::0.3

Range: 0.1-2.0 (higher = stronger emphasis)

Negative Prompts

Specify what you DON'T want. This is powerful for avoiding unwanted elements.

blurry, low quality, distorted
watermark, text, signature
extra limbs, deformed, ugly
duplicate, repetitive, monotonous

Aspect Ratio Commands

Use specific syntax for your desired dimensions.

--ar 16:9 (widescreen)

--ar 4:3 (standard)

--ar 1:1 (square)

--ar 3:2 (cinematic)

Style Keywords

Strategic keywords in specific order matter. Most important first.

[Subject] [Action] [Style] [Quality]

[Details] [Lighting] [Atmosphere]

[Medium] [Artist] [Emotion]

Iteration Syntax

Refine results through multiple generations with slight variations.

Strategy: Generate, evaluate, modify one element at a time, regenerate

Comma vs Period

Punctuation affects interpretation. Commas list equal elements, periods create breaks.

Comma (Equal Weight)

"Red fabric, blue sky, green grass" - all equally important

Period (Separate Thoughts)

"Red fabric. Blue sky dominates. Green grass minimal." - different emphasis

Artist References & Styles

Classical Masters

Reference classical painters for timeless, refined aesthetics.

Rembrandt: Dramatic light, emotional depth, golden tones
Caravaggio: Chiaroscuro, intense drama, baroque
Vermeer: Soft light, intimate scenes, serene mood
Van Gogh: Swirling brushstrokes, emotional color

Modern Illustrators

Contemporary artists known for specific styles and techniques.

Greg Rutkowski: Fantasy, detailed, cinematic
Artgerm: Digital painting, character design
Jama Jurabaev: 3D render style, highly detailed
Beksinski: Dark, surreal, atmospheric

Photography Styles

Reference photography genres for photorealistic results.

Portrait Photography: Headshot, fashion, professional
Macro Photography: Extreme close-up, detailed
Landscape: Wide angle, panoramic, cinematic
Wildlife: Candid, dynamic, nature focused

Cinematic Influences

Directors and films with distinctive visual languages.

Example: "Cinematography style of Blade Runner 2049, neon cyberpunk aesthetic"

Game Art Styles

Video game aesthetic for specific visual qualities.

AAA Cinematic: High-fidelity, detailed, realistic
Indie Game: Artistic, stylized, unique
Pixel Art: Retro, blocky, nostalgic
Anime: Japanese animation style, expressive

Art Movement Styles

Historical art movements for specific visual characteristics.

Art Deco: Geometric, luxurious, glamorous
Art Nouveau: Organic, flowing, decorative
Surrealism: Dream-like, impossible, imaginative
Cubism: Abstract, geometric, fragmented

Iteration & Refinement Mastery

The Iteration Process

Strategic refinement through multiple generations leads to better results.

Iteration Steps

1. Generate initial image
2. Evaluate results
3. Identify improvements
4. Modify one element
5. Regenerate
6. Repeat

Targeted Refinement

Change one specific element at a time to understand what works.

          Strategy: If lighting is good but color is wrong, only adjust color in next iteration
        

A/B Testing

Generate multiple versions to compare different approaches.

Test different artists
Compare lighting setups
Vary composition approaches
Experiment with color palettes

Prompt Layering

Build complexity gradually rather than overwhelming in one prompt.

Iteration 1: Subject + Basic Style

Iteration 2: Add Lighting Details

Iteration 3: Enhance Composition

Iteration 4: Fine-tune Quality

Learning from Results

Keep notes on what works and what doesn't for future reference.

Track: Keywords that worked, lighting that succeeded, composition choices

Quality Checkpoints

Evaluate images on specific criteria each iteration.

Composition: Does it follow good framing?
Lighting: Is the light direction correct?
Color: Does mood match intention?
Detail: Is quality level sufficient?
Subject: Is main subject clear and well-rendered?

Complete Iteration Example

Iteration 1: "Portrait of a warrior, fantasy style" → Result: Good but lighting flat

Iteration 2: "Portrait of a warrior, fantasy style, dramatic side lighting, golden hour" → Result: Better lighting, but colors too warm

Iteration 3: "Portrait of a warrior, fantasy style, dramatic side lighting, cool blue atmosphere" → Result: Great! Now add more detail

Iteration 4: "Detailed portrait of a warrior, fantasy style, dramatic side lighting, cool atmosphere, intricate armor, scars, weathered, cinematic" → Perfect!

Quick Reference Guide

Pro Tips Checklist

Use this checklist before generating your next image:

✓ Clear, specific subject description
✓ Intentional composition (rule of thirds, framing, perspective)
✓ Lighting direction and quality specified
✓ Artistic style or artist reference included
✓ Color palette or mood indicated
✓ Technical quality level (4K, detailed, professional)
✓ Medium specified (oil, digital, photo, etc.)
✓ Negative prompts to avoid unwanted elements
✓ Aspect ratio set appropriately
✓ Ready to iterate and refine

Pro Prompt Template

[Subject + Action], [Composition], [Lighting], [Style + Artist], [Color + Mood], [Medium], [Quality + Details]

Example:

"A warrior queen, standing on cliff edge, rule of thirds, dramatic side lighting, in style of Caravaggio, cool blue atmosphere, oil painting, cinematic, highly detailed, 4K"

Pro Tips for AI Image Generation

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