The Ultimate AI Prompt Template - Complete Guide

Article Summary

The Ultimate AI Prompt Template - Complete Guide

Table of Contents

• The Complete Template
• Parameter Guide
• Options Library
• Usage Examples
• Tips and Tricks

The Complete Template

[BASE INSTRUCTION] use my image in, keep face and skin tone [PERCENTAGE]% unchanged

[MEDIUM TYPE] [GENERAL STYLE] portrait/scene of [MAIN SUBJECT]

[DETAILED PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION]

• Face: [facial features to preserve]
• Hair: [style, color, texture]
• Body: [build, posture]
• Clothing: [detailed garments]
• Accessories: [jewelry, glasses, etc.]

[POSE AND ACTION]

• Position: [standing, sitting, in motion]
• Gesture: [hands, arms, gaze]
• Expression: [emotion, intensity]
• Movement: [static, dynamic]

[COMPOSITION]

• Shot type: [extreme close-up, close-up, medium shot, full shot, wide shot]
• Angle: [eye-level, low-angle, high-angle, dutch angle, bird's eye, worm's eye]
• Framing: [centered, rule of thirds, symmetrical, asymmetrical]
• Aspect ratio: [16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 1:1, 21:9]
• Depth of field: [shallow, medium, deep]

[LIGHTING]

• Lighting setup: [main lighting type]
• Key light: [position, intensity, temperature]
• Fill light: [intensity, position]
• Rim/Back light: [presence, intensity]
• Lighting style: [Rembrandt, loop, split, butterfly, broad, short]
• Time of day: [golden hour, blue hour, midday, night]
• Light quality: [hard, soft, diffused, dramatic]
• Color temperature: [warm, cool, neutral]

[ENVIRONMENT AND BACKGROUND]

• Location: [specific place]
• Background: [background details]
• Foreground elements: [foreground elements]
• Environmental details: [atmosphere, weather]
• Depth layers: [multiple planes]

[AMBIANCE AND MOOD]

• Overall mood: [dramatic, serene, intense, playful]
• Atmosphere: [mysterious, warm, cold, intimate]
• Emotion: [confident, pensive, powerful, vulnerable]
• Energy: [calm, dynamic, explosive, contemplative]

[ARTISTIC STYLE]

• Art style: [photorealistic, cinematic, editorial, artistic]
• Reference: [specific inspirations]
• Color palette: [dominant colors, contrasts]
• Color grading: [tints, saturation, tonality]
• Texture: [smooth, grainy, textured]

[CAMERA AND TECHNIQUE]

• Camera: [camera model]
• Lens: [focal length, aperture]
• Focal length: [14mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 135mm, 200mm+]
• Aperture: [f/1.2, f/1.4, f/2.8, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16]
• Shutter speed: [fast, medium, slow, long exposure]
• ISO: [100, 400, 800, 1600, 3200]
• Focus: [sharp, selective, soft]

[EFFECTS AND POST-PROCESSING]

• Visual effects: [lens flare, light rays, bokeh, chromatic aberration]
• Film effects: [grain, vignette, light leaks]
• Motion: [motion blur, frozen, slow motion]
• Reflections: [reflective surfaces]
• Atmospheric effects: [fog, mist, smoke, rain, snow]
• Special effects: [particles, sparks, glow]

[QUALITY AND RESOLUTION]

• Resolution: [4K, 8K, 16K, UHD]
• Detail level: [ultra-detailed, hyper-realistic, photorealistic]
• Rendering: [Unreal Engine, Octane Render, V-Ray]
• Quality modifiers: [sharp details, crisp, ultra HD]

[REFERENCE STYLE]

• Photography style: [fashion editorial, documentary, commercial, fine art]
• Cinematographic reference: [film noir, cyberpunk, Wes Anderson, etc.]
• Magazine/Publication: [Vogue, GQ, National Geographic]
• Artist reference: [specific photographer or style]

[FINAL INSTRUCTIONS]

• Technical specs: [final specifications]
• Do not include: [elements to avoid]
• Emphasis: [points to emphasize]

Parameter Guide

1. BASE INSTRUCTION

Face Preservation

keep face and skin tone [X]% unchanged

Percentage options:

• 100.999% - Maximum preservation (near-identical)
• 100% - Strict preservation
• 99% - Very high preservation
• 95% - High preservation with slight creative freedom
• 90% - Significant preservation
• 80% - Moderate preservation

When to use what:

• 100.999%: Professional portraits, official documents
• 100%: Editorial photos, fashion
• 95-99%: Artistic creations with preserved identity
• 80-90%: Stylistic interpretations

2. MEDIUM TYPE

Photographic:

• Ultra-realistic photograph
• Photorealistic portrait
• Cinematic photograph
• Editorial photograph
• Fashion photograph
• Documentary photograph
• Commercial photograph
• Fine art photograph

Cinematic:

• Cinematic scene
• Movie still
• Film frame
• Cinematic portrait
• Cinematic composition

Artistic:

• Oil painting
• Watercolor painting
• Digital art
• Charcoal sketch
• Pencil drawing
• Acrylic painting
• Mixed media artwork

3D and Sculpture:

• 3D render
• CGI portrait
• Marble sculpture
• Bronze statue
• Clay model
• Papercraft sculpture

3. COMPOSITION - SHOT TYPES

Vertical Framing

• Extreme Close-Up (ECU): Eyes only or facial detail
• Close-Up (CU): Full face, cropped at neck
• Medium Close-Up (MCU): Head and shoulders
• Medium Shot (MS): Waist to mid-torso
• Medium Full Shot: Knees and up
• Full Shot (FS): Full body with some breathing room
• Wide Shot (WS): Full body with significant environment

Camera Angles

• Eye-Level: Neutral angle, at eye height
• Low-Angle: Camera low, subject appears powerful/dominant
• High-Angle: Camera high, subject appears vulnerable/small
• Dutch Angle (Tilted): Tilt for tension/instability
• Bird's Eye View: 90-degree overhead view
• Worm's Eye View: Extreme low view from below
• Over-the-Shoulder: Over the shoulder perspective
• POV (Point of View): First-person perspective

4. LIGHTING - CLASSIC SETUPS

Portrait Lighting

Rembrandt Lighting

• Triangle of light on the opposite cheek
• Dramatic and classic
• Rembrandt lighting with triangle of light on cheek

Loop Lighting

• Small shadow from the nose downward
• Flattering and versatile
• Loop lighting with subtle nose shadow

Split Lighting

• Half the face lit, half in shadow
• Dramatic and intense
• Dramatic split lighting, half face illuminated

Butterfly Lighting

• Light from above, shadow under the nose
• Glamour and beauty
• Butterfly lighting, soft shadow under nose

Broad Lighting

• Broad side of the face lit
• Widens the face
• Broad lighting on wide side of face

Short Lighting

• Narrow side of the face lit
• Slims and sculpts
• Short lighting, dramatic facial sculpting

Advanced Configurations

Three-Point Lighting

• Key light at 45°, fill light opposite at lower intensity, rim light behind for separation

High-Key Lighting

• Bright, low-contrast, minimal shadows, cheerful mood

Low-Key Lighting

• Dark, high-contrast, dramatic shadows, moody atmosphere

Natural Lighting

• Window light, golden hour sunlight, overcast diffusion

5. LENSES AND FOCAL LENGTHS

Wide Angles (10-35mm)

• 10-14mm (Ultra Wide): Fisheye effect, dramatic distortion
• 16-24mm (Wide): Broad environmental context
• 28-35mm (Moderate Wide): Street photography, storytelling

Uses: Dramatic wide-angle 16mm lens with environmental context

Standard (40-70mm)

• 40-50mm: Natural vision, versatile
• 50mm: The classic lens, "nifty fifty"

Uses: Natural 50mm lens perspective, balanced composition

Short Telephoto (75-135mm)

• 85mm: The quintessential flattering portrait lens
• 105mm: Tight portrait, pleasant compression
• 135mm: Dramatic portrait, strong isolation

Uses: Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L for flattering portrait compression

Long Telephoto (200mm+)

• 200-300mm: Extreme compression, maximum isolation
• 400mm+: Dramatic compression effects

Uses: 300mm telephoto compression, extreme background blur

6. APERTURE AND DEPTH OF FIELD

Wide Aperture (f/1.2 - f/2.8)

• Effect: Pronounced bokeh, very blurry background
• Use: Portraits, subject isolation
• Shot with f/1.2 aperture, creamy bokeh background

Medium Aperture (f/4 - f/5.6)

• Effect: Balance between sharpness and blur
• Use: Group portraits, partial context
• f/4 aperture for balanced depth of field

Narrow Aperture (f/8 - f/16)

• Effect: Large zone of sharpness
• Use: Landscapes, architecture, complex scenes
• f/11 aperture, everything in sharp focus

7. COLOR PALETTES

Color Temperatures

Warm

• Warm color palette: golds, oranges, reds, amber tones
• Color temperature: 3000-5000K, golden hour warmth

Cool

• Cool color palette: blues, teals, silvers, icy tones
• Color temperature: 6000-8000K, twilight blue mood

Neutral

• Balanced neutral palette, natural skin tones, 5500K daylight

Specific Color Schemes

Monochrome

• Black and white, high contrast, grayscale tones

Complementary

• Complementary colors: blue/orange, red/cyan contrast

Analogous

• Analogous color scheme: blues, teals, and greens

Triadic

• Triadic palette: red, yellow, blue accents

Specific Colors

• Muted pastels: powder pink, mint green, lavender
• Earth tones: terracotta, olive, burnt sienna, ochre
• Neon accents: electric blue, hot pink, lime green
• Desaturated palette: faded colors, vintage feel

8. MOODS AND ATMOSPHERES

Emotional Moods

• INTENSE: Dramatic, powerful, commanding, fierce
• SERENE: Peaceful, calm, tranquil, meditative
• MYSTERIOUS: Enigmatic, secretive, intriguing, shadowy
• ROMANTIC: Soft, dreamy, intimate, tender
• ENERGETIC: Dynamic, vibrant, explosive, kinetic
• MELANCHOLIC: Somber, pensive, contemplative, nostalgic
• CONFIDENT: Bold, assured, magnetic, authoritative
• PLAYFUL: Joyful, whimsical, lighthearted, fun

Environmental Atmospheres

• MOODY: Dark, brooding atmosphere with dramatic shadows
• ETHEREAL: Light, airy, dreamlike quality
• GRITTY: Raw, urban, textured, realistic
• LUXURIOUS: Opulent, refined, high-end aesthetic
• MINIMAL: Clean, simple, uncluttered space
• CHAOTIC: Busy, complex, layered environment
• INTIMATE: Close, personal, private moment
• EPIC: Grand, sweeping, cinematic scale

9. VISUAL AND ATMOSPHERIC EFFECTS

Light Effects

• LENS FLARE: Anamorphic lens flare, sun flare, hexagonal bokeh
• LIGHT RAYS: God rays, volumetric light beams through fog
• BOKEH: Circular bokeh, creamy background blur, bokeh balls
• GLOW: Soft glow, ethereal light, luminous aura
• CAUSTICS: Light refraction patterns, water reflections

Atmospheric Effects

• FOG/MIST: Dense fog, morning mist, atmospheric haze
• SMOKE: Drifting smoke, smoke machine effect, colored smoke
• RAIN: Rain drops, wet surfaces, rain streaks
• DUST: Particles in light, dust motes, floating debris
• SNOW: Falling snow, snowflakes, winter atmosphere

Motion Effects

• MOTION BLUR: Speed lines, directional blur, movement trails
• FROZEN MOTION: High-speed capture, water droplets frozen
• SLOW MOTION: Dramatic slow-mo effect, hair/fabric flowing
• LONG EXPOSURE: Light trails, smooth water, star trails

Cinematic Effects

• CHROMATIC ABERRATION: Color fringing on edges, lens distortion
• FILM GRAIN: 35mm grain, analog texture, grainy aesthetic
• VIGNETTE: Dark corners, edge darkening, focus center
• LIGHT LEAKS: Film light leaks, vintage color shifts
• ANAMORPHIC: Horizontal lens flare, 2.39:1 aspect ratio

10. CINEMATIC STYLES

Film Noir

High-contrast black and white, dramatic shadows, low-key lighting, Venetian blind shadows, femme fatale aesthetic, 1940s noir style, chiaroscuro lighting

Cyberpunk

Neon lights, holographic interfaces, rain-soaked streets, purple and cyan color scheme, dystopian atmosphere, volumetric fog, blade runner aesthetic

Wes Anderson

Perfectly symmetrical composition, centered framing, pastel color palette, flat layered backgrounds, quirky retro aesthetic, planimetric composition

Christopher Nolan

IMAX quality, practical effects, cool blue tones, epic scale, realistic lighting, gritty realism, wide establishing shots

Wong Kar-wai

Step-printed motion blur, saturated colors, neon-lit nights, romantic melancholy, unconventional framing, emotional intimacy

David Fincher

Cool desaturated palette, precise composition, low-key lighting, digital clarity, controlled atmosphere, meticulous detail

11. PHOTOGRAPHY STYLES

Fashion Editorial

High-fashion editorial style, Vogue aesthetic, dramatic posing, designer clothing, studio perfection, bold makeup, avant-garde styling

Street Photography

Candid moment, natural light, urban environment, documentary style, authentic emotion, decisive moment, Henri Cartier-Bresson inspired

Fine Art Portrait

Museum-quality, painterly quality, artistic interpretation, emotional depth, conceptual approach, gallery-worthy

Commercial Beauty

Flawless skin, perfect lighting, cosmetic quality, L'Oreal aesthetic, aspirational beauty, polished finish

Environmental Portrait

Subject in their environment, context-rich, storytelling composition, National Geographic style, authentic setting

12. MATERIALS AND TEXTURES (For Art)

Painting

• OIL: Thick impasto brushstrokes, visible texture, rich colors, traditional oil painting
• WATERCOLOR: Translucent layers, soft edges, water blooms, delicate washes, cold-press paper
• ACRYLIC: Bold colors, matte finish, modern technique, flat application or texture
• GOUACHE: Opaque, velvety finish, flat color areas

Drawing

• CHARCOAL: Bold gestural lines, smudged shadows, dramatic contrast, textured paper
• PENCIL: Fine details, subtle gradation, crosshatching, precise linework
• INK: Strong blacks, confident lines, traditional hatching, pen and ink technique
• PASTEL: Soft blended colors, velvety texture, chalky finish

Sculpture

• MARBLE: Polished Carrara marble, subtle veining, translucent quality, classical sculpture
• BRONZE: Patina finish, cast metal, monumental quality
• CLAY: Handmade texture, thumbprints, organic feel, stop-motion aesthetic
• WOOD: Carved wood, grain visible, natural material
• STONE: Rough texture, ancient feel, weathered surface

13. ADVANCED TECHNICAL PARAMETERS

Camera Models

• CANON: EOS R5, EOS R3, EOS-1D X Mark III
• SONY: Alpha 1, A7R V, A9 III
• NIKON: Z9, Z8, D850
• FUJIFILM: GFX 100 II (medium format)
• HASSELBLAD: H6D-100c (medium format)
• LEICA: M11, Q2
• PHASE ONE: XF IQ4 (high-end medium format)

Specific Lenses

• CANON: RF 85mm f/1.2 L, RF 50mm f/1.2 L, RF 28-70mm f/2 L
• SONY: GM 85mm f/1.4, GM 50mm f/1.2, GM 24-70mm f/2.8
• ZEISS: Otus 85mm f/1.4, Milvus 50mm f/1.4
• SIGMA: Art 85mm f/1.4, Art 35mm f/1.2

Rendering Engines

• OCTANE RENDER: GPU-based, photorealistic, fast
• UNREAL ENGINE 5: Real-time, Lumen lighting, Nanite
• V-RAY: Industry standard, highly realistic
• CYCLES: Blender's engine, path tracing
• ARNOLD: High-quality, used in film
• REDSHIFT: GPU accelerated, production quality

14. RESOLUTIONS AND FORMATS

Resolutions

• HD: 1920x1080 (1080p)
• 2K: 2048x1080
• 4K/UHD: 3840x2160
• 5K: 5120x2880
• 6K: 6144x3240
• 8K: 7680x4320
• 16K: 15360x8640

Aspect Ratios

• 1:1 (Square): Instagram, profile pictures
• 4:5 (Portrait): Instagram portrait
• 3:4 (Portrait): Standard portrait
• 9:16 (Vertical): TikTok, Stories, mobile-first
• 16:9 (Horizontal): YouTube, standard video
• 21:9 (Ultrawide): Cinematic, anamorphic look
• 2.39:1 (Anamorphic): Cinema widescreen

Options Library

Poses and Gestures

Body Positions

• Standing straight, confident posture
• Leaning casually against [object]
• Sitting on [furniture], legs crossed
• Reclining dramatically
• Walking forward with purpose
• Running in motion
• Crouched/squatting position
• Lying down, relaxed
• Floating/levitating (surreal)

Hand Positions

• Hands in pockets, casual
• One hand adjusting collar/lapel
• Arms crossed, authoritative
• Hand running through hair
• Reaching toward camera
• Gesturing expressively
• Hands clasped together
• Touching face/chin pensively
• Holding [object]
• Hands relaxed at sides

Gaze Direction

• Looking directly at camera, eye contact
• Looking slightly off-camera, contemplative
• Looking down, introspective
• Looking up, hopeful/dreamy
• Gazing into distance
• Eyes closed, serene
• Intense stare, piercing gaze
• Side glance, mysterious

Clothing and Style

Formal/Business

• Tailored suit: [color] with [details]
• Dress shirt: [color], [open/closed collar]
• Tie/bow tie: [pattern/color]
• Blazer/sport coat
• Dress shoes/oxfords
• Watch: [style]

Casual

• T-shirt: [style, color, graphic]
• Jeans: [fit, wash, color]
• Sweater/hoodie: [knit type]
• Sneakers: [style, brand]
• Jacket: [leather, denim, bomber]
• Casual watch/accessories

High Fashion

• Designer pieces: [brand aesthetic]
• Avant-garde styling
• Layered textures
• Statement accessories
• Bold patterns
• Oversized/tailored mix

Athletic/Active

• Performance wear
• Athletic shoes
• Sports-specific gear
• Activewear aesthetic
• Functional clothing

Usage Examples

Example 1: Professional Corporate Portrait

use my image in, keep face and skin tone 100% unchanged

Generate an ultra-realistic 9:16 corporate portrait of a confident business executive.

SUBJECT DETAILS:

• Wearing a charcoal grey tailored suit, crisp white dress shirt, burgundy silk tie
• Clean-cut hair, professional grooming
• Subtle confident smile, direct eye contact
• Standing in relaxed but authoritative posture

COMPOSITION:

• Medium shot (waist up)
• Eye-level angle
• Centered composition
• 9:16 aspect ratio for LinkedIn
• Shallow depth of field (f/2.8)

LIGHTING:

• Professional loop lighting setup
• Soft key light from 45° creating subtle facial dimension
• Fill light at 50% intensity
• Gentle rim light for separation
• Color temperature: 5500K neutral

ENVIRONMENT:

• Blurred modern office background
• Floor-to-ceiling windows with city view
• Bokeh of distant buildings
• Minimalist, professional setting

CAMERA & TECHNIQUE:

• Canon EOS R5 with RF 85mm f/1.2 L lens
• f/2.8 aperture for background separation
• ISO 400, natural depth
• Sharp focus on eyes

STYLE & MOOD:

• Corporate editorial style
• Authoritative yet approachable mood
• Professional magazine quality
• LinkedIn/Forbes aesthetic

QUALITY:

• 8K resolution
• Ultra-detailed, photorealistic
• Sharp details, crisp rendering
• Professional retouching quality

Example 2: Dramatic Cinematic Portrait

use my image in, keep face and skin tone 100.999% unchanged

Cinematic ultra-realistic portrait in film noir style.

SUBJECT DETAILS:

• Wearing black tailored suit, black shirt
• Slicked-back hair with subtle texture
• Intense, piercing expression
• Strong jawline emphasized
• Slight stubble, rugged look

COMPOSITION:

• Extreme close-up on face
• Dutch angle (15° tilt) for tension
• Asymmetrical framing
• 16:9 cinematic aspect ratio
• Very shallow depth of field (f/1.2)

LIGHTING:

• Dramatic split lighting
• Hard light from camera left, illuminating half the face
• Deep shadows on opposite side
• Venetian blind shadows across face
• Single rim light for edge definition
• Low-key lighting, high contrast

ENVIRONMENT:

• Dark, moody interior
• Hints of urban setting through windows
• Smoke/atmospheric haze
• Film noir detective office aesthetic

CAMERA & TECHNIQUE:

• ARRI Alexa cinema camera aesthetic
• 50mm prime lens
• f/1.2 aperture, bokeh background
• Anamorphic lens flare
• Slight chromatic aberration

VISUAL EFFECTS:

• Volumetric light beams through blinds
• Drifting cigarette smoke
• Film grain texture
• Subtle vignette

STYLE & MOOD:

• Film noir, 1940s aesthetic
• High-contrast black and white
• Psychological tension
• Mysterious, dangerous atmosphere
• Hardboiled detective vibe

COLOR GRADING:

• Monochrome with cool blue tones
• Deep blacks, bright highlights
• High dynamic range
• Crushed blacks for mood

QUALITY:

• 8K cinematic resolution
• Ultra-detailed texture
• Photorealistic skin rendering
• Professional color grading

Example 3: Creative Fashion Editorial Portrait

use my image in, keep face and skin tone 100% unchanged

High-fashion editorial portrait in avant-garde style.

SUBJECT DETAILS:

• Wearing oversized mustard yellow coat over mint green shirt
• Wide tan tie, high-waisted burgundy trousers
• Statement watch, minimalist jewelry
• Hairstyle: textured, modern quiff
• Clean-shaven with sculpted features

COMPOSITION:

• Full body shot
• Low-angle perspective (camera below eye level)
• Perfectly symmetrical centered framing
• Wes Anderson-inspired geometry
• 3:4 vertical magazine format
• Medium depth of field (f/5.6)

LIGHTING:

• Bright, high-key lighting
• Soft, even illumination
• Butterfly lighting on face
• Minimal shadows for clean look
• Color temperature: 5800K

ENVIRONMENT:

• Standing against classic cream Mercedes-Benz
• Retro-vintage setting
• Flat, patterned wallpaper background
• Pastel architectural elements
• 1970s aesthetic props

CAMERA & TECHNIQUE:

• Hasselblad medium format quality
• 80mm medium format lens
• Sharp focus throughout
• Precise color reproduction
• Clean, clinical detail

COLOR PALETTE:

• Curated pastel palette
• Dominant: mustard yellow, mint green, cream
• Accents: burgundy, tan
• Muted, vintage-inspired tones
• Desaturated but rich

STYLE & MOOD:

• GQ/Vogue Hommes editorial
• Quirky, sophisticated aesthetic
• Retro-modern fusion
• Confident, artistic expression
• Museum-quality fashion photography

QUALITY:

• 16K ultra high resolution
• Magazine cover quality
• Hyper-detailed textures
• Professional editorial standard

Tips and Tricks

1. Logical Prompt Construction

Optimal Order:

1. Base instructions (face preservation)
2. Type and general style (realistic, cinematic, etc.)
3. Subject and physical description (character details)
4. Pose and action (what the subject is doing)
5. Composition (framing, angle)
6. Lighting (main setup)
7. Environment (location, background)
8. Ambiance (mood, emotion)
9. Technique (camera, lens)
10. Effects (special visuals)
11. Quality (final resolution)

2. Golden Rules

DO:

• Be specific and detailed
• Use precise technical terms
• Reference existing styles
• Build visual coherence
• Think in layers (foreground, subject, background)
• Mention important details

AVOID:

• Prompts that are too vague or generic
• Contradictions (e.g., "bright" and "dark" together)
• Too many mixed styles
• Forgetting face preservation details
• Neglecting lighting

3. Advanced Techniques

Layering

Build your image in mental layers:

• LAYER 1 (Background): Blurred city skyline at night
• LAYER 2 (Mid-ground): Atmospheric fog, neon signs
• LAYER 3 (Subject): Character in sharp focus
• LAYER 4 (Foreground): Rain drops, bokeh lights
• LAYER 5 (Effects): Lens flare, film grain

Contrast Method

Use oppositions to strengthen impact:

• Sharp subject vs blurred background
• Warm skin tones vs cool blue environment
• Bright key light vs deep shadows
• Static pose vs dynamic background

Reference Stacking

Combine multiple references for a unique style:

• Lighting: Rembrandt
• Color: Blade Runner
• Composition: Wes Anderson
• Mood: Film noir
• Technique: National Geographic

4. Troubleshooting

Problem: The face doesn't look similar enough

• Increase the percentage (100.999%)
• Add "exact facial features"
• Repeat "preserve identity"

Problem: The lighting is flat

• Specify the lighting setup (Rembrandt, split, etc.)
• Add rim light for separation
• Mention lighting ratios

Problem: Lack of depth

• Add depth of field (f/1.4-2.8)
• Specify foreground/background elements
• Use "bokeh" and "background blur"

Problem: Mood isn't strong enough

• Reinforce mood keywords
• Add specific color grading
• Include atmospheric effects

5. Quick Formulas

For Professional Portrait: Medium shot + Loop lighting + 85mm f/2.8 + Neutral background + Confident expression + 8K

For Cinematic Style: Cinematic composition + Dramatic lighting + Anamorphic lens flare + Film grain + Color grading + 2.39:1 aspect ratio

For Fashion Editorial: Full body + Creative pose + High-key lighting + Bold colors + Designer clothes + Magazine quality

For Dramatic Ambiance: Low-key lighting + High contrast + Chiaroscuro + Moody atmosphere + Deep shadows + Cinematic mood

Final Checklist

Before finalizing your prompt, verify:

• Face preservation specified
• Medium type defined
• Subject described in detail
• Pose and expression clear
• Composition specified
• Lighting setup named
• Environment described
• Ambiance/mood defined
• Camera and lens mentioned
• Final resolution indicated
• Overall style coherence
• No contradictions

Blank Template to Fill In

use my image in, keep face and skin tone ___% unchanged

___ [medium] ___ [style] portrait of ___

SUBJECT:

• Face: ___
• Hair: ___
• Clothing: ___
• Accessories: ___

POSE:

• Position: ___
• Gesture: ___
• Expression: ___

COMPOSITION:

• Shot type: ___
• Angle: ___
• Aspect ratio: ___
• Depth of field: ___

LIGHTING:

• Setup: ___
• Key light: ___
• Style: ___

ENVIRONMENT:

• Location: ___
• Background: ___

MOOD:

• Atmosphere: ___
• Emotion: ___

CAMERA:

• Body: ___
• Lens: ___
• Settings: ___

EFFECTS:

• Visual: ___
• Atmospheric: ___

QUALITY:

• Resolution: ___
• Style reference: ___

Happy prompting!