Mastering AI Image & Video Prompting

Using Specialized Vocabulary for Professional Results

Focal Length Effects:

Wide-Angle Terminology (16-35mm):

• "Shot with a 16mm ultra-wide lens capturing the entire scene"

• "24mm wide-angle with slight edge distortion"

• "Environmental portrait with 35mm lens showing subject and context"

Effect: Wide-angles capture more of the scene, create a sense of space, and sometimes cause edge distortion. Good for landscapes, architecture, and environmental portraits.

Standard Lens Terminology (40-60mm):

• "Natural perspective of a 50mm prime lens"

• "Neutral field of view similar to human vision"

• "Classic 50mm street photography perspective"

Effect: Produces the most natural view, closest to human perception. Minimal distortion, good for street scenes.

Telephoto Terminology (85-200mm+):

• "85mm portrait lens with flattering compression"

• "135mm telephoto creating shallow depth of field"

• "200mm lens compressing the background mountains toward the subject"

Effect: Compresses perspective, makes distant objects appear closer to foreground, creates pleasing portrait effects, isolates subjects.

Quality and Resolution Terms:

Detail Level:

• "Ultra-detailed 8K resolution"

• "Tack-sharp focus on the subject's eyes"

• "Microscopic details visible in the texture"

Photographic Quality:

• "Professional photography with perfect exposure"

• "Award-winning National Geographic quality"

• "Studio product photography with perfect lighting"

Noise/Grain Control:

• "Clean, noiseless image with smooth gradients"

• "Fine film grain adding character"

• "Vintage photograph with authentic grain structure"

Advanced Video Motion Descriptors:

Camera Movements:

• "Smooth tracking shot following the subject from left to right"

• "Slow dolly zoom (Vertigo effect) creating unease"

• "Aerial drone shot descending gradually toward the subject"

Motion Speed Control:

• "Dramatic slow-motion capture of water droplets"

• "Hyperlapse of city transitioning from day to night"

• "Smooth 24fps cinematic motion with natural motion blur"

Subject Movement:

• "Subject walking gracefully through falling autumn leaves"

• "Dynamic action scene with fluid martial arts movements"

• "Subtle expression change from neutral to slight smile"

Today's Exercise: Create a prompt that incorporates specific technical elements like focal length, quality descriptors, and (if applicable for video) motion terms.

Example photo prompt:

A close-up portrait of an elderly fisherman with weathered skin and sea-blue eyes, captured with an 85mm portrait lens at f/1.8 aperture. Tack-sharp focus on the eyes with beautiful bokeh rendering of the harbor scene behind him. Shot on medium format digital camera with incredible skin texture detail. Professional color grading with slightly desaturated teal and orange palette. Soft directional lighting from the left side creating gentle shadows that accentuate facial features.

Example video prompt:

A smooth tracking shot following a red fox trotting along a snowy forest path at dawn. Shot at 60fps for subtle slow-motion, creating graceful movement. 50mm lens with slight rack focus from the environment to the fox. Cinematic 2.39:1 aspect ratio with soft, foggy light filtering through pine trees. The fox occasionally looks toward camera as it moves from right to left across the frame. Natural ambient motion in snowflakes and the fox's breath visible in the cold air.

Subject: Professional Templates for Consistent Results

Today we're providing fill-in-the-blank templates you can customize for various visual styles. Each template is structured to address all key elements in the optimal order.

1. Professional Photography Template

A [type of photo: portrait/landscape/macro] of [subject] in [setting/location], photographed with a [camera] and [lens type] at [aperture] for [desired depth of field effect]. [Lighting description] creates [desired mood/effect]. [Composition details] with [additional technical specifications]. [Optional: post-processing or color grading notes]

Example:

A portrait of a young female violinist in an abandoned theater, photographed with a Sony A7R IV and 85mm f/1.4 lens at f/2.0 for a shallow depth of field. Dramatic side lighting from stage left creates strong shadows and highlights the texture of her velvet dress. Rule of thirds composition with the subject positioned on the right vertical line, shot from a slight low angle. Cinematic color grading with muted teal shadows and warm highlights.

2. Cinematic Scene Template

A [cinematic description: wide shot/close-up] of [subject/character] [action/situation] in [setting]. [Camera/lens details] with [composition description]. [Lighting specification] creating [mood/atmosphere]. [Color/grading notes] reminiscent of [film/director reference]. [Time of day] with [weather/atmospheric conditions] visible.

Example:

A wide cinematic shot of a lone cowboy riding across a vast desert mesa at sunset. Anamorphic widescreen framing with dynamic composition placing the rider on the left third. Golden hour backlighting creating a dramatic silhouette against the orange sky. Desaturated color palette with rich contrast reminiscent of Roger Deakins' work in No Country for Old Men. Late afternoon with dust particles visible in the air and long shadows stretching across the cracked earth.

3. Digital Art & Illustration Template

A [medium: digital painting/illustration/concept art] of [subject] [action/pose] in [environment]. Created in the style of [artist/art movement/aesthetic] with [technique details]. [Color palette] with [lighting effects] establishing a [mood] atmosphere. [Composition notes] featuring [notable details or elements]. [Texture/finish details] with [level of detail specification].

Example:

A digital painting of a futuristic cyberpunk market scene in a neon-lit underground city. Created in the style of Blade Runner meets Japanese anime with highly detailed architectural elements. Rich purple and teal color palette with vibrant neon lighting effects establishing a mysterious yet energetic atmosphere. Wide composition featuring multiple vendor stalls, holographic advertisements, and diverse cybernetically enhanced characters. Glossy wet textures on the ground reflecting the colorful lights above with ultra-high detail in the foreground elements.

4. Fantasy/Sci-Fi Concept Template

A [realistic/stylized] [genre: fantasy/sci-fi] scene depicting [character type] in/with [distinctive setting/feature]. [Technical style] with [artistic influence]. [Time/era] aesthetic with [distinctive genre elements]. [Lighting description] highlighting [important features]. [Mood/tone] atmosphere with [color scheme] and [weather/environmental effects].

Example:

A [realistic/stylized] [genre: fantasy/sci-fi] scene depicting [character type] in/with [distinctive setting/feature]. [Technical style] with [artistic influence]. [Time/era] aesthetic with [distinctive genre elements]. [Lighting description] highlighting [important features]. [Mood/tone] atmosphere with [color scheme] and [weather/environmental effects].

Example:

A realistic fantasy scene depicting an elven ranger in an ancient forest sanctuary. Digital concept art with influence from Alan Lee and Peter Mohrbacher. Medieval fantasy aesthetic with magical glowing runes carved into massive tree trunks and bioluminescent plants. Dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy highlighting the intricate details of the ranger's leather and silver armor. Mysterious yet peaceful atmosphere with a green and amber color scheme and mist weaving between the massive roots.

5. Video/Animation Template

A [length: brief/extended] [video type: clip/scene/sequence] showing [subject] [action] in [location]. [Camera movement] with [lens/perspective details]. [Lighting description] with [color/mood notes]. The motion is [motion quality: smooth/jerky/flowing] with [speed: normal/slow-motion/timelapse] timing. [Weather/atmospheric effects] add [visual element] to the scene. [Style reference] aesthetic with [technical specifications].

Example:

A brief clip showing a hummingbird hovering beside a bright red flower in a lush garden. Gentle tracking movement following the bird with macro lens perspective capturing wing details. Soft morning lighting with vibrant natural colors creating a serene mood. The motion is smooth with slight slow-motion timing at 120fps to reveal the wing movements. Light morning mist adds a dreamy quality to the background. Nature documentary aesthetic with 4K resolution and natural ambient sound.

Pick a template that fits your vision and complete the details to craft a powerful prompt. Then, experiment—swap out 2-3 key elements to see how small changes can transform the outcome.

Try it now and see what works best for you!