Effective photo prompts for use with AI on Google Search should include specific details about the subject, style, environment, and technical aspects. Being descriptive and iterative can help achieve the desired outcome.
Core prompt structure
Start with a simple sentence and add more details.
Basic format:
[Subject] [Action] [Environment] in the style of a [Style/Lighting]
Example:
- Simple: "An image of a cat sleeping on a windowsill."
- Detailed: "A photorealistic image of a fluffy orange cat napping in a sunbeam on a vintage wooden windowsill, with soft natural light."
Key elements to include in your prompt
More detailed prompts provide greater control over the final image.
Subject details
- Specifics: Describe the main subject in detail, including age, clothing, expression, or object characteristics.
- Example: Instead of "a woman," try "a young woman in a red dress with a contemplative gaze".
Environment and setting
- Location and time: Specify the scene's location and time.
- Example: Instead of "outdoors," try "on a misty riverside dock at dawn".
- Background: Use keywords to describe the background, like "blurred background," "neon-lit cityscape," or "white studio background".
Style and aesthetic
- Mood: Set the tone with emotional descriptions.
- Example: Use phrases like "soft sunlight," "urban glow," or "eyes full of wonder".
- Art style: Reference specific artistic movements or styles.
- Example: "Cinematic," "retro," "cyberpunk," "impressionist painting," or "noir black and white".
- Emulating film: Use terms like "Kodak Portra 400 film simulation" or "35mm film grain" for a vintage analog look.
Technical details
- Camera and lens: Simulate professional photography techniques.
- Example: "Shot on Nikon Z9 with 35mm f/1.8 lens".
- Resolution and realism: Use keywords to enhance realism.
- Example: "Hyper-realistic," "8K," "Ultra HD," "DSLR look," or "4K photo".
- Lighting: Specify the type and quality of light.
- Example: "Golden hour light," "cinematic lighting," "soft diffused light," or "high-contrast lighting".
Example prompts for different styles
Cinematic portrait
High-contrast film noir edit of a portrait, extreme chiaroscuro lighting with hard, deep black shadows and bright, stylized highlights, subtle 35mm film grain, vintage sepia tint, 8K resolution.
Realistic fantasy scene
A young woman standing in a misty, ethereal forest at dawn. The air is filled with glowing fireflies, and she wears a dress made of delicate, woven leaves. Soft, diffused lighting, hyper-realistic, wide-angle shot.
Retro-futuristic style
Cyberpunk neon-lit portrait in a rainy urban environment. Strong blue and magenta neon rim lighting reflecting off wet surfaces. Increase saturation on the lights only, keep the rest of the image dark.
Editorial fashion photo
Ultra-HD glamour portrait taken during the golden hour. The model is backlit by soft, warm sunlight, with a shallow depth of field to keep her in focus. Shot on Nikon Z9, editorial style.
How to use an image as a starting point
You can also upload an image and ask to edit it.
Upload a photo of a person and ask:"Change this person's outfit to be a futuristic silver space suit".Upload a photo of a landscape and ask:"Add a full moon and a starry night sky to this image".