20 AI Prompt writing tips for creating images

Image created using
Bing Image Creator
We continue to add to this list as we learn, so it's now much larger!

Welcome to our resource hub dedicated to the art of crafting prompts for text-to-image AI applications. The right words can paint a thousand pictures, but knowing how to harness that creative potential is key. 

Here are some excellent tips for directing AI in creating images from text (text-to-image AI):

  1. Be Specific: Use clear and concise language to describe what you want the AI to generate, whether it's text, images, or any other content.
  2. Use Adjectives: Adjectives can help convey the mood, style, or qualities you want in the AI-generated content.
  3. Provide Context: Context is essential to help the AI better understand your intentions, whether you're requesting text-based responses or images.
  4. Use Examples: Offering examples of what you're looking for can provide the AI with concrete references to better comprehend your request.
  5. Incorporate Colors: If color is a crucial aspect of your request, include specific color preferences in your prompt.
  6. Include Shapes: If you have particular shapes or patterns in mind, ensure they are part of your prompt to guide the AI's creative process.
  7. Specify Textures: If you desire specific textures or materials in an image, make sure to mention them in your prompt.
  8. Express Emotions: To convey a certain emotion through AI-generated content, clearly state the emotional tone or atmosphere you're aiming for.
  9. Consider Composition: If you have a specific layout or composition in mind, describe it in your prompt to guide the AI's design choices.
  10. Practice Patience: Remember that AI, while powerful, may not always produce the exact desired outcome, and some iterations may be required.
  11. Specify Image Details: Provide detailed descriptions of specific elements you want in the image, such as objects, scenes, or characters.
  12. Consider Image Size: If the image needs to fit certain dimensions, mention the size requirements in your prompt.
  13. Mention Lighting: Describe the desired lighting conditions, such as natural daylight, soft shadows, or dramatic highlights.
  14. Include Perspectives: If the image requires a particular viewpoint or perspective, specify whether it should be a close-up, wide shot, or any other angle.
  15. Indicate Style: Communicate the artistic style you want the image to follow, whether it's realistic, abstract, impressionistic, or any other style.
  16. Provide References: Offer links or references to existing images that capture the essence of what you're looking for.
  17. Narrative Elements: If the image should depict a story or convey a narrative, provide a brief storyline or context to guide the AI.
  18. Highlight Focal Points: Identify key focal points or areas of interest within the image that should draw attention.
  19. Use Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords in your prompt to help the AI better understand the subject matter.
  20. Feedback Loop: Be open to providing constructive feedback on AI-generated images to refine subsequent iterations.
  21. Ask an AI chatbot for help:  An AI chatbot can help refine the propmt you submit.  This may take several attempts and refinement steps, but it can get you where you want.  When you use this appraoch you can use more descriptive words for the chatbot and ask for a summary in a format suitable for a text-to-image AI generator.
  22. Avoid potential pitfall words:  Some AI image generators are keyed to avoid images of children, copyrighted material, and other prompts the developers consider inappropriate.  While this can get frustrating at times when a clearly appropriate propmt is marked as "inappropriate" -- be patient.  Protection of youth and copyrighted material trumps our desire to make a free image.
  23. Balance Complexity: Find the right balance between providing detailed instructions and not overwhelming the AI. Experiment with different levels of detail to see what works best.
  24. Experiment with Iterations: Don't hesitate to iterate on the generated content. Request variations, make adjustments, and refine your prompt based on the AI's initial output.
  25. Explore Creative Constraints: Introduce specific creative constraints, such as limiting color palettes or specifying a particular theme, to guide the AI towards desired outcomes.
  26. Cultural References: If applicable, incorporate cultural references that align with the context or theme you're aiming for. This can help the AI understand nuanced aspects of your request.
  27. Temporal Elements: Consider incorporating time-related elements into your prompts, such as day or night settings, seasons, or historical eras, to add depth to the generated content.
  28. Interactive Elements: If your image is intended for interactive media, specify elements that encourage user engagement, such as clickable areas or dynamic features.
  29. Collaborative Prompting: Collaborate with other users or AI models to refine your prompts. Seek input from diverse perspectives to enhance creativity and generate more comprehensive results.
  30. Experiment with Fusion: Combine different prompts or styles to encourage the AI to fuse concepts creatively. This can lead to unique and unexpected outcomes.
  31. Consider Accessibility: If applicable, consider accessibility aspects such as ensuring good contrast, legible text, and inclusive representations in your image prompts.
  32. Environmental Factors: Describe the environment surrounding the scene you envision. Include details like weather conditions, terrain, or architectural elements to set a vivid backdrop.
  33. Conceptual Metaphors: Use metaphors to convey abstract concepts. Relate your request to metaphors that can guide the AI in creating a visual representation.
  34. Dynamic Elements: If your image requires movement or dynamism, specify dynamic elements such as flowing water, wind-blown objects, or animated characters.
  35. Spatial Relationships: Clearly define the spatial relationships between objects in your image. Specify distances, arrangements, or interactions to guide the AI in creating a coherent composition.
  36. User-Generated Content Integration: If applicable, explore ways to incorporate user-generated content into the AI prompt, fostering a collaborative approach to image creation.
Remember, the effectiveness of these tips may vary depending on the specific use case and the capabilities of the AI model you're working with. Feel free to adapt and experiment with these suggestions based on your creative needs.

Comments