Want to create amazing images using AI?
Most people get it wrong. They type a few words, hit generate, and end up with garbage.
In the next few minutes, I’ll show you the exact prompts and frameworks that will make your AI images stand out.
How to Create Photorealistic Images?
If you’re looking to create truly photorealistic images using AI, the choice of AI model makes all the difference.
Recraft V3 has emerged as a superior choice for generating photorealistic images compared to ChatGPT’s DALL-E.
Recraft V3 is accessible through Poe.com, where users can start with a free trial to test its capabilities.
For regular usage, a $20 monthly subscription provides access to not just Recraft V3, but also to other leading image generators like DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, and Flux, along with powerful language models such as Claude and Grok.
What makes the subscription particularly valuable is access to cutting-edge video generation AI models such as Pika and Hailuo A.
Best Prompts for AI Image Generation
1. Prompt: Realistic Photograph
Generate a high-resolution, realistic photograph of [subject, e.g., a serene lakeside at sunrise], captured in [location, e.g., the Rocky Mountains] with [specific conditions, e.g., morning fog and soft lighting]. Emphasize [focal points/details, e.g., the reflection of the mountains on the water] to create a sense of [desired atmosphere, e.g., tranquility and grandeur].
Example:
“Generate a high-resolution, realistic photograph of an elderly couple walking hand-in-hand through a blooming cherry blossom park in Kyoto, Japan, with petals gently falling around them. Emphasize the soft pink hues and warm afternoon light to create a sense of enduring love and serenity.”
2. Prompt: Logo
Design a [style, e.g., minimalist, modern, vintage] logo for [company/product name], incorporating [specific element(s), e.g., an abstract phoenix, interconnected circles]. Use a color palette of [color preferences, e.g., blues and greens] to convey [desired emotion or message, e.g., trust and innovation].
Example:
“Design a minimalist logo for EcoWave Energy, incorporating an abstract wave and leaf. Use a color palette of blues and greens to convey sustainability and innovation.”
3. Prompt: Illustration
Create an illustration of [subject, e.g., a brave knight battling a dragon] in [art style, e.g., watercolor, comic book, digital painting]. The scene is set in [setting/environment, e.g., a misty mountain peak] with [additional details, e.g., swirling clouds and distant fires]. Use [color scheme/mood, e.g., dark, moody tones] to evoke feelings of [emotion, e.g., epic struggle].
Example:
“Create an illustration of a young explorer discovering a hidden temple in digital painting style. The scene is set in a dense jungle with rays of sunlight piercing through the canopy and ancient carvings on moss-covered stones. Use vibrant greens and golden hues to evoke feelings of wonder and adventure.”
4. Prompt: Infographic Elements
Design a set of infographic icons illustrating [topic, e.g., sustainable farming practices]. Include icons for [specific items/concepts, e.g., crop rotation, organic fertilizers, water conservation]. Use a [style, e.g., flat design, line art, 3D isometric] that is [descriptor, e.g., clean and modern, colorful and engaging]. Stick to a color scheme of [colors, e.g., earthy tones like greens and browns] to maintain consistency. Ensure that each icon is simple, clear, and easily recognizable.
Example:
“Design a set of infographic icons illustrating different modes of transportation. Include icons for bicycles, electric cars, buses, trains, and airplanes. Use a flat design style that is bright and engaging. Stick to a color scheme of primary colors to maintain consistency. Ensure that each icon is straightforward and easily identifiable for educational materials.”
5. Prompt: Character Design
Design a [fantasy/sci-fi/historical] character who is a [role/profession, e.g., wizard, space pilot, samurai warrior], featuring [distinctive features, e.g., glowing eyes, cybernetic enhancements, ornate armor]. They are dressed in [clothing/armor style, e.g., tattered robes, sleek spacesuit, traditional kimono] with [accessories, e.g., a magical staff, futuristic gadgets]. The setting is [environment, e.g., a mystical forest, a starship cockpit]. Use an art style of [style, e.g., realistic digital painting, anime, comic book] and a color palette of [colors, e.g., purples and golds] to convey [character’s personality/emotion, e.g., mystery and power].
Example:
“Design a fantasy character who is an elven archer, featuring intricate tribal tattoos and pointed ears. They are dressed in lightweight leather armor with a quiver of arrows and a longbow. The setting is an ancient, enchanted woodland. Use a realistic digital painting style and a color palette of earthy greens and browns to convey agility and a deep connection with nature.”
Specialized AI Prompt Generators
For more detailed and creative prompts, consider using specialized AI prompt generators. A great tool for this purpose is Image Prompt Smith.
Image Prompt Smith can help you:
- Generate multiple variations of your basic idea
- Adding proper technical terminology
- Explore different artistic styles
- Maintaining optimal prompt length
Advanced Prompt Techniques
These techniques help you achieve more precise and sophisticated results:
Negative Prompts
Negative prompts are crucial for eliminating unwanted elements from your generated images.
When using negative prompts, be specific about elements to exclude. For instance, rather than just saying “no text,” specify “no watermarks, signatures, or embedded text.”
Similarly, instead of “avoid oversaturated colors,” you might say “maintain natural, realistic color palette without digital oversaturation.”
Common negative prompts that improve image quality include:
- “No distorted facial features or extra limbs”
- “Avoid lens flare and chromatic aberration”
- “Without digital artifacts or pixelation”
- “No unrealistic proportions or anatomy mistakes”
Quality Boosters
Quality boosters are specific terms that significantly enhance the overall quality of AI-generated images. Think of these as instructions that tell the AI to put extra effort into certain aspects of image generation.
When using quality boosters, combine them thoughtfully to create a cohesive effect.
For example:
- “Cinematic lighting, hyperrealistic detail, professional color grading, shot on Hasselblad”
- “Studio quality, 8K resolution, photorealistic rendering, award-winning photography”
- “Masterpiece quality, ultra-detailed, professional post-processing, magazine cover style”
The key is to use quality boosters that make sense together. Combining “oil painting technique” with “photorealistic detail” might confuse the AI and produce inconsistent results.
Composition Guidelines
Understanding and implementing composition guidelines in your prompts can dramatically improve the visual appeal of your generated images. These guidelines help structure the image in a way that’s pleasing to the eye and follows established artistic principles.
Instead of simply listing composition terms, describe how you want them applied:
Rule of Thirds:
“Position the main subject off-center, aligned with the right third of the frame, with the horizon line along the upper third”
Leading Lines:
“Create depth using a winding path that leads the eye from the foreground to the distant mountains, enhanced by parallel tree lines”
Symmetrical Layout:
“Perfect mirror symmetry along the vertical axis, with the central element creating a strong focal point”
Diagonal Composition:
“Dynamic diagonal arrangement from lower left to upper right, creating a sense of movement and energy”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Being Too Vague
Vague prompts are the number one reason for disappointing AI-generated images. When you write “beautiful forest,” you’re leaving too much to interpretation.
The AI needs specific details to create the image you envision.
Weak prompt:
“Beautiful sunset at the beach”
Better prompt:
“Caribbean beach at sunset, gentle waves rolling onto white sand, scattered palm trees silhouetted against a sky painted in warm oranges and deep purples, low angle shot capturing both wet sand reflections and cloud formations”
Overcomplicating
While detail is important, overwhelming the AI with too many competing or contradicting elements can lead to confused results.
Keep your prompts focused and coherent.
Weak prompt:
“A futuristic cyberpunk city but also with ancient Greek architecture and desert landscapes and underwater scenes with neon lights and vintage cars and spaceships all in watercolor style but also photorealistic”
Better prompt:
“A futuristic Athens-inspired cityscape, classical Greek columns merged with neon-lit skyscrapers, cyberpunk aesthetic, late evening atmosphere, viewed from a hovering transport pod”
Ignoring Style
Many users focus solely on describing physical elements while neglecting to specify the artistic style they want.
This often results in generic-looking images that lack character and mood.
Weak prompt:
“A woman sitting in a cafe”
Better prompt:
“Young woman lost in thought at a Parisian cafe, soft morning light filtering through lace curtains, impressionistic painting style inspired by Eduard Manet, muted color palette with emphasis on warm browns and cool grays, intimate atmosphere”
Remember that style encompasses not just the artistic technique but also the mood, lighting, color palette, and overall atmosphere of the image.
These elements should work together to create a cohesive visual story.
By understanding and avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll be better equipped to create prompts that generate the images you envision.
The key is finding the right balance between providing enough detail for clarity while maintaining focus and coherence in your descriptions.
