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Best Prompts for AI Image Generators: 50+ Examples That Actually Work [2025]

更新时间: 2025-10-06 15:50:00

I spent two weeks generating over 1,000 AI images with terrible prompts before I figured out what actually works.

Here's what nobody tells you: writing good AI prompts is weirdly specific. You can't just type "cool dragon" and expect magic. Well, you can, but you'll get a mediocre dragon that looks like clip art from 2005.

The difference between "a castle" and a prompt that generates something you'd actually use? About 40 extra words describing lighting, style, composition, and a bunch of quality keywords that feel like SEO spam but somehow work.

This guide is everything I wish someone had told me on day one. Real prompts that work. No theory BS. Just copy, modify, and generate better images.

Quick Answer: Add these six things to every prompt: [specific subject] + [art style] + [details] + [lighting] + [composition] + [quality words like "8k, detailed"]. That's it. Everything else is refinement.



Table of Contents

  • What Are AI Prompts Anyway?
  • The Formula That Actually Works
  • 50 Copy-Paste Prompts
  • Platform Differences (Yes, They Matter)
  • Advanced Tricks
  • Mistakes I Made So You Don't Have To
  • Templates You Can Steal
  • FAQ



What Are AI Prompts Anyway?

An AI image prompt is just a text description telling Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, or whatever tool you're using what to generate.

Think of it like ordering food. You could say "burger" and get something edible. Or you could say "double smash burger with caramelized onions, aged cheddar, pickles, on a brioche bun" and get exactly what you want.

AI prompts work the same way. Specificity wins.

Why this matters:

  • Good prompts save hours of regenerating garbage
  • Specific descriptions = professional results
  • Once you learn the formula, it's copy-paste-modify
  • Bad prompts waste your money (if you're paying per image)

The annoying truth? Your first 50 images will probably suck. That's normal. I wasted a week generating blurry portraits before I learned to add "sharp focus, professional photography, 8k" to everything.



The Formula That Actually Works

After testing hundreds of prompts, here's what consistently produces good results:

[Subject] + [Style] + [Details] + [Lighting] + [Composition] + [Quality Boost]

Let me break down each part because the order actually matters.

  1. Subject (Be Annoyingly Specific)

Don't just describe what you want. Paint the whole picture.

Vague: "a dog"
Specific: "golden retriever puppy with floppy ears, sitting, looking at camera"

The more specific, the better. Include:

  • Age, color, expression, action
  • Context (occupation, era, personality)
  • Quantity if it matters ("three women" not "women")
  1. Style (Tell It What You're Going For)

The AI doesn't know if you want a photo, painting, or cartoon unless you specify.

Popular options:

  • Photography: photorealistic, portrait photography, documentary style
  • Art: oil painting, watercolor, pencil sketch, digital art
  • Movements: impressionist, art deco, minimalist, cyberpunk
  • Pop culture: anime, Studio Ghibli style, comic book art
  1. Details (The Stuff That Makes It Interesting)

This is where you add the environment, objects, actions, colors, and textures.

Examples:

  • Environment: "in a misty forest," "on a kitchen counter," "underwater"
  • Objects: "holding a coffee cup," "wearing sunglasses"
  • Actions: "laughing," "running," "sleeping"
  • Textures: "smooth glass," "weathered wood," "soft fabric"
  1. Lighting (This Changes Everything)

Seriously, lighting is what separates amateur-looking images from professional ones.

Try these:

  • Natural: golden hour, sunset, overcast, morning light
  • Artificial: studio lighting, neon lights, candlelit
  • Directional: backlit, side lighting, dramatic shadows
  • Quality: soft diffused light, harsh light, rim lighting
  1. Composition (How It's Framed)

Tell the AI how to arrange the scene.

Options:

  • Framing: close-up, wide shot, aerial view, full body
  • Angle: low angle, eye level, bird's eye view
  • Depth: shallow depth of field, bokeh background
  • Perspective: first-person view, isometric
  1. Quality Boost (The Magic Keywords)

I don't fully understand why these work, but they do. Add them.

Technical terms:

  • 8k, 4k, ultra HD, highly detailed, sharp focus

Artistic terms:

  • masterpiece, award-winning, professional, stunning

Rendering terms:

  • unreal engine, octane render, ray tracing

Photography specific:

  • shot on Canon 5D, 35mm film, medium format

Real Example

Bad prompt: "a castle"

Good prompt: "Medieval stone castle on a cliff, surrounded by pine forest, storm clouds overhead, golden sunset light breaking through, fantasy landscape painting style, dramatic, highly detailed, cinematic, 8k"

See the difference? Same subject, completely different result.



50 Copy-Paste Prompts That Work

Here are 50 prompts I've actually used with good results. Copy them. Modify the subject. Generate.

Portraits (10)

  • Corporate Headshot "Professional headshot of confident businesswoman in her 30s, navy blazer, genuine smile, white background, studio lighting, shot on Canon 85mm f/1.4, corporate photography, sharp focus, 8k"

  • Character Study "Close-up portrait of weathered fisherman in his 60s, grey beard, deep blue eyes, yellow rain jacket, ocean in background, overcast lighting, documentary style, photorealistic, highly detailed"

  • Fashion Shot "Fashion portrait of model with dramatic eye makeup, crimson lips, black evening gown, dark background with smoke, rim lighting, Vogue style, professional photography, 8k"

  • Lifestyle Portrait "Candid portrait of woman laughing, wind in hair, denim jacket, golden hour sunlight, bokeh background, natural and authentic, warm tones, shot on 50mm"

  • Artistic Black & White "Fine art portrait of ballet dancer in graceful pose, white tutu, grey background, soft lighting, black and white photography, elegant, medium format quality"

  • Environmental Portrait "Potter in workshop, hands covered in clay, ceramic pieces around them, natural window light, documentary photography, authentic storytelling, depth, photojournalism style"

  • Film Noir "Cinematic portrait of mysterious woman, half face in shadow, piercing eyes, 1940s aesthetic, film noir lighting, black and white, high contrast, vintage Hollywood"

  • Executive Portrait "Tech CEO in modern office, confident pose, glass windows with city skyline, natural light, business editorial style, clean and sharp, 8k"

  • Adventure Photography "Mountain climber at summit, frost on beard, determined expression, snow-capped peaks behind, golden hour, National Geographic style, epic, inspiring, detailed"

  • Beauty Close-Up "Extreme close-up of eyes with long lashes, flawless skin, natural makeup, soft light, high-end beauty commercial, macro photography, luxury editorial, 8k"



Landscapes (10)

  • Mountain Sunrise "Snow-capped mountain range at sunrise, orange and pink clouds, alpine meadow with wildflowers, lake reflection, wide-angle landscape, National Geographic quality, 8k"

  • Tropical Beach "Pristine tropical beach, crystal turquoise water, white sand, palm trees, small waves, blue sky with clouds, travel photography, vibrant colors, ultra HD"

  • Foggy Forest "Ancient forest with morning mist, sun rays through trees creating god rays, moss-covered ground, ferns, magical atmosphere, fantasy landscape, cinematic, detailed"

  • Desert Dunes "Sahara desert at golden hour, rolling sand dunes with dramatic shadows, warm tones, camel caravan silhouette, sunset sky, travel photography masterpiece, 8k"

  • Stormy Coast "Rugged cliffs meeting stormy ocean, waves crashing on rocks, grey storm clouds, moody lighting, wild nature, dramatic landscape photography, high contrast, 4k"

  • Autumn Road "Country road through autumn forest, orange and red leaves, fallen leaves on path, morning mist, peaceful, fall photography, warm colors, nostalgic"

  • Northern Lights "Aurora borealis over snowy mountains, green and purple lights, stars visible, frozen lake reflection, Iceland landscape, long exposure, breathtaking, 8k"

  • Japanese Garden "Cherry blossom garden in bloom, red bridge over koi pond, pink petals on water, stone lantern, zen atmosphere, spring, soft pastels, serene"

  • Waterfall "Powerful waterfall into turquoise pool, lush rainforest, moss on rocks, mist creating rainbow, long exposure silky water, tropical paradise, vivid colors, 8k"

  • Winter Scene "Snow-covered pine forest, powder on branches, blue sky, sun creating sparkle on snow, peaceful winter, crisp atmosphere, Scandinavian landscape, detailed"



Fantasy & Sci-Fi (10)

  • Dragon "Majestic dragon on mountain peak, iridescent scales, wings spread wide, medieval castle in valley, storm clouds, epic fantasy art, highly detailed, concept art"

  • Cyberpunk Street "Futuristic cyberpunk city at night, neon signs in Japanese, rain-soaked streets reflecting lights, flying cars, people with umbrellas, Blade Runner style, cinematic, 8k"

  • Space Scene "Astronaut on alien planet, two moons in purple sky, bioluminescent plants, rocky terrain, Earth-like planet in distance, sci-fi concept art, cinematic lighting, photorealistic"

  • Magic Portal "Ancient stone archway with glowing portal, blue and purple energy vortex, magical runes, forest clearing, ethereal light, fantasy magic, detailed, enchanted"

  • Steampunk Airship "Victorian steampunk airship in golden clouds, brass and copper details, propellers, steam vents, passengers on deck, sunset, adventure fantasy, intricate, concept art"

  • Underwater Ruins "Ancient city ruins underwater, coral-covered architecture, tropical fish through columns, sun rays in blue water, lost Atlantis aesthetic, fantasy scene, atmospheric, 8k"

  • Wizard's Study "Medieval wizard's study, bookshelves with ancient books, glowing artifacts, bubbling potions, crystal ball on desk, candlelight, scrolls scattered, fantasy interior, atmospheric"

  • Robot Factory "Futuristic robot facility, humanoid robots in assembly, holographic displays, white sci-fi interior with blue LEDs, high-tech, concept art, unreal engine, detailed"

  • Fantasy Castle "Fairy tale castle on hill, towers with flags, enchanted forest around it, rainbow after rain, magical kingdom, Disney-inspired, beautiful landscape, vibrant, detailed"

  • Post-Apocalypse "Abandoned city overgrown with nature, crumbling buildings with vines, rusted cars, dramatic clouds, nature reclaiming civilization, post-apocalyptic, cinematic, detailed concept art"



Product & Commercial (5)

  • Luxury Watch "Swiss luxury watch close-up, polished steel, blue dial, black leather strap, dramatic studio lighting with reflections, product photography, commercial quality, premium, 8k"
  • Food Photography "Gourmet burger with stacked ingredients, sesame bun, lettuce, tomato, melted cheddar, juicy beef, professional food photography, appetizing, dramatic lighting, menu quality"
  • Coffee Shot "Cappuccino with latte art heart, white cup on wooden table, morning sunlight through window, cozy cafe, lifestyle product photography, warm tones, shallow depth of field"
  • Tech Product "Latest smartphone, sleek design, edge-to-edge display with vibrant interface, premium materials, studio lighting, gradient background, Apple style commercial, clean, modern, high-end"
  • Beauty Product "Luxury skincare serum, minimalist frosted glass bottle, botanical elements and water droplets, soft natural light, white background, high-end beauty photography, elegant, sophisticated, 8k"



Architecture & Interior (5)

  • Modern Living Room "Scandinavian minimalist living room, floor-to-ceiling windows with mountain view, wood floors, white walls, grey sofa, plants, morning light, interior design photography, clean, architectural digest"
  • Cathedral "Gothic cathedral interior, vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows casting colorful light, stone columns, wooden pews, dramatic architecture, atmospheric, religious photography, awe-inspiring"
  • Industrial Loft "Urban industrial loft, exposed brick walls, metal beams, factory windows, leather furniture, Edison bulbs, plants, contemporary design, architectural photography, stylish, 8k"
  • Art Deco Lobby "Elegant art deco hotel lobby, geometric patterns, gold and marble, grand chandelier, polished floors, symmetrical, 1920s luxury, architectural photography, glamorous, opulent, high-end"
  • Tea House "Traditional Japanese tea house, tatami mats, shoji screens, minimalist zen design, rock garden view, natural materials, peaceful, cultural architecture, soft light, serene, balanced"



Animals (5)

  • Lion Portrait "Close-up of male African lion, flowing mane, intense amber eyes, scars, savanna background bokeh, golden hour, wildlife photography, National Geographic style, powerful, regal, 8k"
  • Hummingbird "Ruby-throated hummingbird at red flower, wings frozen mid-flight, iridescent feathers, macro wildlife photography, sharp focus, bokeh garden background, vibrant colors, high-speed, nature"
  • Whale Breach "Humpback whale breaching ocean surface, water cascading off body, blue ocean and sky, dramatic action, marine photography, powerful, graceful, National Geographic, epic scale, photorealistic, 8k"
  • Owl "Great horned owl close-up, piercing yellow eyes at camera, detailed feathers, perched on branch, forest blur, wildlife bird photography, dramatic, powerful, shallow depth, detailed"
  • Winter Wolf "Grey wolf in snowy forest, alert expression, thick winter coat, snow-covered pines behind, soft overcast light, wildlife photography, natural habitat, majestic, wild, cinematic, 4k"



Abstract Art (5)

  • Fluid Art "Abstract fluid art, swirling marble texture, navy blue, gold and white, organic flowing patterns, luxury aesthetic, digital art, high resolution, mesmerizing, elegant, 8k"
  • Sacred Geometry "Sacred geometry mandala, symmetrical pattern, purple to turquoise gradient, precise mathematical design, spiritual artwork, meditation visual, digital illustration, hypnotic, balanced, 4k"
  • Watercolor Abstract "Abstract watercolor explosion, rainbow colors bleeding together, organic fluid shapes, white paper, artistic, expressive, modern contemporary art, dynamic, high resolution"
  • Minimalist Art "Minimalist abstract composition, simple geometric shapes, earth tones with beige and terracotta, negative space, clean modern, contemporary gallery art, balanced, sophisticated, 4k"
  • Light Trails "Long exposure light painting, colorful light trails in darkness, neon pink and electric blue, dynamic flowing movement, modern digital art, mesmerizing, high contrast, wallpaper quality"



Platform Differences (Yes, They Matter)

I learned this the hard way: the same prompt produces different results on different platforms. Here's what actually works for each.

Midjourney

Midjourney is an artistic one. It makes everything look like concept art even when you don't ask for it.

What works:

  • Add --v 6 for latest version
  • Use --ar 16:9 for landscape, --ar 9:16 for portrait
  • Add --style raw if you want less artistic interpretation
  • Add --quality 2 for max detail (costs more)

Example:mountain lake, morning mist, photorealistic --v 6 --ar 16:9 --style raw

Real talk: The Discord interface is weird at first. You'll figure it out in 20 minutes. The images are worth it.

DALL-E 3

DALL-E 3 is stupid easy to use because it's in ChatGPT. Just... talk to it.

What works:

  • Write longer, detailed prompts (it handles complexity well)
  • Be super specific about positions and relationships
  • Great for text in images
  • ChatGPT automatically improves your prompts

Example: You: "Make a professional headshot" ChatGPT: generates image from a much better prompt it wrote You: "Make her smile more and add an office background" ChatGPT: updates the image

Honest take: Not as pretty as Midjourney, but 10x easier to use. If you already have ChatGPT Plus, use this.

Google Gemini (Nano Banana)

Gemini is solid and free, which is amazing.

What works:

  • Talk naturally - it understands conversational prompts
  • Good at photorealistic stuff
  • Free with a Google account
  • Handles cultural context well

Example:A playful banana wearing a detective hat investigating crumbs, morning light, cute, children's book style, detailed

Reality: Not cutting-edge, but it's free and decent. Great for testing ideas before using paid tools.

Stable Diffusion

Stable Diffusion is free and powerful, but you need to actually learn it.

What works:

  • Use negative prompts: blurry, distorted, low quality, bad anatomy
  • Set steps to 20-30 for decent results
  • CFG scale 7-12 works best
  • Try different models (Realistic Vision, DreamShaper)

Example workflow:

1.Write prompt

2.Add negative prompt with all the bad stuff

3.Set steps: 30, CFG: 8

4.Generate 4 versions

5.Pick the best one

Warning: Expect to watch YouTube tutorials. This isn't beginner-friendly. But it's free and unlimited if you can run it locally.



Advanced Tricks I Actually Use

Weighting (For Control Freaks)

Midjourney: Use :: to prioritize elements portrait::2 sunset::1 means "focus on portrait, sunset is secondary"

Stable Diffusion:

  • (word) = 1.1x emphasis
  • ((word)) = 1.21x emphasis
  • (word:1.5) = custom weight

Multi-Part Prompts

Break complex ideas into chunks: [subject], [details] | [environment] | [lighting] | [style]

Example: Old woman knitting, cozy sweater | cottage interior, Christmas decorations | warm firelight | oil painting, Norman Rockwell style, nostalgic

Artist References

Mentioning specific artists or photographers' works:

  • "shot by Annie Leibovitz" (portraits)
  • "Greg Rutkowski style" (fantasy art)
  • "like Studio Ghibli" (anime aesthetic)
  • "Monet style" (impressionism)

Camera Tech Speak

Adding camera details helps:

  • "shot on Canon 5D with 85mm f/1.4"
  • "35mm film, Kodak Portra 400"
  • "iPhone 15 Pro portrait mode"

Stack Quality Keywords

More quality terms = better results (usually): highly detailed, 8k resolution, sharp focus, professional photography, award-winning, masterpiece

I don't know why this works, but it does.



Mistakes I Made So You Don't Have To

Being Too Vague

My bad prompt: "nice landscape" What works: "mountain valley with wildflowers, snow peaks, golden hour, landscape photography, 8k"

Vague = mediocre results every time.

Mixing Styles

Doesn't work: "photorealistic anime character" Pick one: "photorealistic portrait" OR "anime character"

Conflicting styles = confused AI = weird results.

Info Overload

Too much: "man woman child dog cat bird in forest on beach at mountain with sunset rain snow wind fire..." Better: "family of three in autumn forest, golden hour lighting, lifestyle photography"

One focused idea beats five competing ones.

Skipping Quality Words

Meh prompt: "photo of car" Better prompt: "professional automotive photography of sports car, studio lighting, 8k, detailed, commercial quality"

Those extra keywords matter more than they should.

Forgetting Lighting

Missing something: "restaurant interior" Complete: "restaurant interior, warm ambient lighting, golden hour sunlight through windows, cozy"

Lighting = the difference between amateur and pro.

No Composition

Flat: "mountains" Better: "wide-angle landscape of mountains, alpine lake foreground, rule of thirds, dramatic sky"

Composition makes boring subjects interesting.

Expecting Magic First Try

Wrong mindset: "This sucks, AI is useless" Right mindset: "Okay, what if I add more lighting details and quality keywords?"

I've regenerated the same image 10+ times tweaking one thing at a time. That's normal.



Templates You Can Steal

Basic Formula

[Specific subject] + [style] + [setting] + [lighting] + [composition] + [quality keywords]

Portrait Template

[Portrait type] of [subject, age, features], [clothing], [expression], [background], [lighting], [camera details], [style], 8k
Try this: Professional headshot of confident woman in 30s, navy suit, genuine smile, office blur, natural window light, shot on Canon 85mm, corporate photography, 8k

Landscape Template

[Landscape type], [main features], [time of day], [weather], [foreground], [perspective], [style], 8k
Try this: Mountain lake, snow peaks reflected in water, sunrise with pink clouds, mist, wildflowers foreground, wide-angle, National Geographic style, 8k

Fantasy Template

[Subject], [description], [environment], [magic elements], [mood], [art style], [lighting], concept art
Try this: Dragon on cliff, blue iridescent scales, wings spread, castle ruins below, mystical fog, epic fantasy, dramatic lighting, concept art

Product Template

[Product], [features], [background], [lighting], [angle], [brand style], product photography, 8k
Try this: Luxury watch, polished steel with blue face, marble surface, dramatic studio lighting, 45-degree angle, Apple commercial style, product photography, 8k


FAQ

How long should prompts be? 20-60 words usually. Enough to be specific, not so long the AI gets confused. I aim for around 40.

Do I need full sentences? Nope. Comma-separated phrases work better. "Portrait of woman, smiling, garden background, natural light" beats a paragraph.

Can I mix art styles? Don't. Pick one style. "Photorealistic painting" confuses the AI. Choose either photorealistic OR painting.

Same prompt on different tools? Nope, adjust for each platform. Midjourney needs parameters, DALL-E likes longer descriptions, Stable Diffusion needs negative prompts.

How do I get consistent results? Use super specific prompts and save what works. In Midjourney/Stable Diffusion, use seed numbers to maintain consistency.

What if it doesn't match my vision? Iterate. Add more details, change the style, adjust lighting, add quality keywords. First try is rarely perfect.

Words to avoid? Vague stuff like "nice," "cool," "good." Also contradictions like "photorealistic cartoon."

Can I combine these prompts? Yeah, that's the point. Mix and match elements to get what you need.

How to improve faster? Generate a lot. Save successful prompts. Change one thing at a time to see what it does. Join AI art communities to see what others make.

Most important part? Clear, specific subject. Everything else enhances it. Bad subject + perfect style = still bad image.



What You Should Actually Do

Stop overthinking this. Here's your action plan:

1.Pick 3-5 prompts from this guide that match what you're trying to make

2.Test them in whatever AI tool you're using

3.Note what works - seriously, save the good ones

4.Change one thing at a time to understand what each element does

5.Build your own library of prompts that work for your style

The tools keep evolving. New features drop monthly. But the core principles—be specific, add quality keywords, describe lighting—those stay constant.

Reality check: Your first 20 images will probably disappoint you. That's normal. I wasted a week before I generated anything I'd actually use. The learning curve is real but short.

Bottom line: The difference between amateur AI art and professional results isn't the tool. It's the prompt. And now you know how to write them.

Now stop reading and go generate something.


Related Stuff:

  • [Midjourney vs DALL-E vs Stable Diffusion: Which One Actually]
  • [How to Keep AI Characters Consistent (Without Going Crazy)]
  • [Best AI Image Generators for Professional Work]
  • [Can You Actually Make Money with AI Art?]

Last updated: October 2025 | Got questions? Drop a comment.