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AI Prompt Engineering Tips - Image Generation 2026-01-07
ai
prompts
image-generation
reference
https://github.com/ZeroLu/awesome-nanobanana-pro

AI Image Generation Prompt Engineering Tips

A comprehensive guide to crafting effective prompts for AI image generation models (Nano Banana Pro/Gemini/Imagen 2).

Core Principles

1. Be Specific and Detailed

  • Use precise technical parameters rather than vague descriptions
  • Specify exact camera models, lens types, and settings when relevant
  • Include lighting direction, quality, and temperature
  • Define exact aspect ratios and resolutions

2. Structure Your Prompts

Use clear sections for complex requests:

  • Subject - What/who is in the image
  • Environment - Setting, location, background
  • Lighting - Type, direction, mood
  • Camera/Style - Technical specs, artistic style
  • Details - Textures, colors, specific elements

3. Reference Real-World Standards

  • Mention specific film stocks (e.g., "Kodak Portra 400")
  • Reference camera models (e.g., "Sony A7III with 85mm f/1.4")
  • Cite artistic styles or movements
  • Use professional terminology (bokeh, depth of field, golden hour)

Technical Parameters

Camera Settings

- Camera: [Model] (e.g., Canon EOS R5, Hasselblad H6D-100c)
- Lens: [Focal length] [Aperture] (e.g., 85mm f/1.4, 35mm f/2.8)
- Aperture: f/1.8 to f/5.6 (shallow DoF) or f/8+ (deep DoF)
- ISO: 100-400 (clean), 800-1600 (grainy/documentary)
- Shutter speed: 1/60s (standard), 1/125s+ (action)

Lighting Specifications

- Type: Natural light, studio lighting, flash, ambient
- Direction: Key light, fill light, rim light, backlighting
- Quality: Soft/diffused vs. hard/direct
- Temperature: Warm (golden hour) vs. cool (blue hour)
- Time of day: Golden hour (sunset/sunrise), midday, blue hour

Style References

- Photography eras: 1990s digital camera, 2000s flash, film aesthetic
- Film stocks: Kodak Portra 400, Kodak Ektar 100, Fuji Velvia
- Artistic styles: Cinematic, editorial, documentary, fashion
- Processing: Vintage grain, clean digital, film texture

Consistency Techniques

Face/Identity Preservation

Key phrases for maintaining facial features:
- "Keep the facial features of the person exactly consistent"
- "Preserve original face 100% accurate from reference image"
- "Do not change the face, maintain exact facial structure"
- "Face consistency: preserve_original: true"

Texture Preservation

For maintaining surface textures:
- "Preserve the original fabric texture, color, and logos"
- "Maintain the aged, greasy, textured look"
- "Keep the same grain, focus depth, and lighting"
- "Match ambient lighting, color temperature, shadow direction"

JSON Format for Complex Prompts

For multi-parameter requests, use structured JSON:

{
  "subject": {
    "description": "Young woman...",
    "age": "early 20s",
    "expression": "confident and playful",
    "hair": {
      "color": "dark",
      "style": "long, voluminous waves"
    }
  },
  "photography": {
    "camera_style": "early-2000s digital camera aesthetic",
    "lighting": "harsh super-flash with bright highlights",
    "angle": "mirror selfie",
    "texture": "subtle grain, retro highlights"
  },
  "environment": {
    "setting": "bedroom",
    "elements": ["dresser", "posters", "vanity"]
  }
}

Category-Specific Tips

Portrait Photography

- Specify lens compression (85mm for flattering portraits)
- Define depth of field (shallow for portraits, deeper for groups)
- Include catchlights in eyes
- Mention skin texture preference (natural pores vs. smooth)
- Specify makeup and styling details

Product Photography

- Use "pure white background (RGB 255, 255, 255)"
- Specify "soft studio lighting, even illumination"
- Request "subtle contact shadow at base"
- Include "no harsh glare, photorealistic rendering"
- Define "high-resolution, 8k quality"

Vintage/Retro Aesthetics

- Reference specific years (e.g., "early-2000s aesthetic")
- Mention "film grain, authentic texture"
- Include era-specific elements (fashion, technology, decor)
- Specify "flash photography" or "disposable camera look"
- Use "nostalgic, vintage color grading"

3D/Isometric Renders

- Specify "Cinema 4D rendering" or "3D isometric view"
- Include "soft studio lighting, clean materials"
- Define "miniature diorama style" or "architectural visualization"
- Mention "rounded forms, pastel colors" for cute aesthetics
- Request "blind-box toy aesthetic" for collectible styles

Advanced Techniques

Multi-Image Consistency

For generating multiple related images:

"Create [number] images with:
- Same subject with exact facial features preserved
- Same lighting setup and color grading
- Same environment and props
- Different poses/angles only
- Maintain consistent wardrobe and styling"

Image-to-Image Translation

"Transform the uploaded image by:
- Preserving [specific elements]: face, pose, composition
- Changing [target elements]: background, lighting, style
- Maintaining [technical aspects]: resolution, aspect ratio
- Matching [aesthetic]: color palette, mood, era"

Text Integration

For adding text to images:
- "Overlay text in [font style]: bold, serif, handwritten"
- "Place text at [location] with [color] and [effects]"
- "Ensure perfect spelling and centered alignment"
- "Use drop shadow and outline for readability"
- "Integrate text naturally into image depth of field"

Background Manipulation

Removal: "Remove all people/objects in background, fill with..."
Extension: "Expand to 16:9, extend scenery naturally on both sides"
Replacement: "Replace background with [description] while preserving subject"
Context-aware: "Match original lighting, weather, and texture perfectly"

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Vague Descriptions

  • "Make it look nice"
  • "Soft diffused natural lighting, shallow depth of field, warm color grading"

Missing Technical Context

  • "A portrait photo"
  • "Professional headshot, Sony A7III, 85mm f/1.8, three-point lighting"

Ignoring Consistency

  • "Multiple photos of the same person"
  • "Same person, exact facial features preserved, different poses only"

Unclear Hierarchy

  • Long paragraph with everything mixed together
  • Structured sections: Subject → Environment → Style → Technical specs

Workflow Strategies

1. Start Broad, Then Refine

First pass: "Portrait of a young woman, outdoor setting"
Refined: "Portrait of a young woman, 85mm lens, shallow DoF,
golden hour lighting, urban park background, soft focus bokeh"

2. Use Reference Layering

Base: "Fashion photography"
+ Style: "in the style of Annie Leibovitz"
+ Technical: "shot on Hasselblad H6D, 120mm macro lens"
+ Mood: "editorial, high-fashion, dramatic lighting"

3. Build Template Libraries

Create reusable templates for common needs:

  • Professional headshots
  • Product photography
  • Social media content
  • Vintage aesthetics
  • 3D renders

Negative Prompts

What to exclude (if supported):

Common negatives:
- "no distorted faces, no extra limbs"
- "no blurry, no low quality, no artifacts"
- "no watermarks, no text overlays"
- "no unrealistic proportions"
- "no modern elements" (for vintage styles)

Quality Indicators

Add these for best results:

- "8K resolution, ultra-detailed"
- "Photorealistic, high-fidelity"
- "Professional photography, award-winning"
- "Sharp focus, crisp details"
- "Cinema-quality rendering"

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

Portrait

[Subject] | [Age/gender] | [Expression] | [Camera: 85mm f/1.8] | [Lighting: soft natural] | [Background: blurred] | [Style: editorial] | [Quality: 8K]

Product

[Product] | [Angle: 3/4 view] | [Background: pure white] | [Lighting: soft studio] | [Shadow: subtle contact] | [Quality: photorealistic, high-res]

Vintage

[Subject] | [Era: 1990s/2000s] | [Camera: disposable/digital] | [Flash: direct] | [Grain: authentic] | [Style: nostalgic] | [Colors: slightly faded]

3D Render

[Subject] | [Style: isometric/chibi] | [Render: C4D] | [Lighting: soft studio] | [Materials: pastel, glossy] | [Background: solid color] | [Aesthetic: cute, minimalist]

Resources

Practice Exercises

  1. Upgrade a basic prompt: Transform "photo of a cat" into a detailed, technical prompt
  2. Style transfer: Take a prompt and adapt it for different eras (1980s → 2000s → modern)
  3. Multi-parameter challenge: Create a JSON prompt with 5+ nested parameters
  4. Consistency test: Write prompts for 3 related images maintaining exact subject consistency

Last updated: 2026-01-07 Source material: awesome-nanobanana-pro GitHub repository