Mastering AI Image & Video Prompting

Direct Your AI like a Top Filmmaker or Master Artist

Cinematic Prompting Techniques:

Film Industry Terminology:

• Aspect ratios: "Anamorphic widescreen," "16:9," "2.39:1 cinemascope"

• Shot types: "Establishing shot," "dolly zoom," "tracking shot," "Dutch angle"

• Camera movements: "Steadicam following," "slow panning shot," "aerial drone footage"

Cinematic Lighting:

• "Film noir harsh shadows and low-key lighting"

• "Warm Spielbergian backlight creating silhouettes"

• "Blade Runner-style neon reflections in rain puddles"

Director/Film References:

• "In the symmetrical style of Wes Anderson"

• "Desaturated post-apocalyptic palette like Mad Max: Fury Road"

• "Intimate close-up reminiscent of Ingmar Bergman films"

Example cinematic prompt:

A suspenseful scene of a detective examining evidence in a dimly lit office, shot in the style of David Fincher's Se7en. Anamorphic widescreen framing with desaturated colors and high contrast. Low-angle shot with dramatic shadows cast by venetian blinds. Dust particles visible in the shaft of light from a desk lamp. Rain streaks visible on window in background. 4K resolution film still.

Artistic Style Prompting:

Art Mediums:

• Traditional: "Oil painting," "watercolor," "charcoal sketch," "pastel drawing"

• Digital: "Digital concept art," "vector illustration," "3D render," "pixel art"

Art Movements/Styles:

• "Impressionist style with visible brushstrokes"

• "Art nouveau with ornate flowing lines"

• "Cyberpunk aesthetic with neon accents"

Artist References:

• "In the surrealist style of Salvador Dalí"

• "Landscape painted like a Claude Monet garden scene"

• "Character design inspired by Hayao Miyazaki"

Example artistic prompt

An oil painting of a magical library with floating books and spiraling staircases, inspired by a blend of whimsical fantasy and expressive post-impressionist brushwork. The background features vibrant swirling strokes that create a sense of motion, with warm golden light streaming in from unseen windows. The painting is created with a thick impasto technique, showcasing visible texture and rich jewel-toned colors. Towering bookshelves curve and twist, filled with ancient tomes, while enchanted books gently levitate in midair. The atmosphere is dreamy and full of wonder, evoking a sense of adventure and mystery.

Practice Exercise: Create two prompts for the same subject - one cinematic and one artistic - to see how dramatically style affects the output.

Subject idea: "A lighthouse on a stormy coast"

Lighting Techniques:

Light Sources:

• Natural: "Morning sunlight filtering through fog," "dappled forest light," "harsh desert sun"

• Artificial: "Neon signs illuminating a rainy street," "candlelight casting warm glow on faces"

• Mixed: "Blue moonlight contrasting with warm window light from the cabin"

Lighting Directions:

• "Front lighting" (flat, even illumination)

• "Side lighting" (brings out texture, creates partial shadows)

• "Backlighting" (creates silhouettes or rim lighting)

• "Rembrandt lighting" (professional portrait style with triangle of light on cheek)

Light Quality:

• "Harsh direct light creating strong shadows"

• "Soft diffused light through clouds/fabric"

• "Volumetric light beams through dust/mist"

Color Theory in Prompts:

Color Schemes:

• "Monochromatic blue color scheme" (different shades of one color)

• "Complementary orange and teal palette" (opposite colors)

• "Analogous autumn colors of red, orange, and yellow" (adjacent on color wheel)

Color Psychology:

• "Warm golden tones creating a nostalgic mood"

• "Cool blue color grading for a calm, melancholic atmosphere"

• "Vibrant saturated colors evoking a sense of joy"

Color Techniques:

• "High contrast with deep shadows and bright highlights"

• "Desaturated, muted tones except for a single red element"

• "Gradient lighting from warm to cool across the scene"

Composition Principles:

Compositional Rules:

• "Rule of thirds placement with subject at intersection point"

• "Golden ratio spiral composition leading to the focal point"

• "Symmetrical composition with perfect reflection in water"

Framing Techniques:

• "Subject framed by archway in foreground"

• "Natural framing using tree branches"

• "Frame within a frame technique showing scene through window"

Depth Techniques:

• "Forced perspective with diminishing size cues"

• "Layered composition with foreground, midground and background elements"

• "Atmospheric perspective with distant elements fading to blue"

Today's Exercise: Create a prompt that specifically focuses on dramatic lighting, color theory, and strong composition.

Example prompt:

A solitary lighthouse keeper standing on a rocky promontory at dusk, illuminated by the golden side-lighting of the setting sun. Complementary color palette with warm orange light against a deepening blue-purple sky. Rule of thirds composition with the lighthouse positioned on the right vertical line. Layered depth with detailed rocky foreground textures, the mid-ground lighthouse, and a distant approaching storm with volumetric clouds on the horizon.

Mastering AI image and video prompting is all about thinking like a filmmaker or an artist—using light, composition, and color to craft visually stunning outputs. Whether you're aiming for a cinematic masterpiece or an artistic rendering, understanding how professional creators shape their visuals will elevate your prompts.

Take today's exercises and experiment with different styles, lighting techniques, and framing principles. The more you refine your approach, the more control you'll have over AI-generated visuals. Keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible, and remember—the best prompts don’t just describe an image; they tell a story.