Prompt writing basics
Writing effective prompts is the key to getting great results from AI content generation. This guide covers fundamental techniques and best practices.
The anatomy of a good prompt
A well-structured prompt includes these core elements:
1. Subject description
Be specific about the main subject:
- Physical attributes: Hair color/style, body type, facial features
- Clothing: Style, color, coverage, accessories
- Expression: Facial expression, mood, eye contact
- Pose: Body position, posture, hands, limbs
Example: "A curvy blonde woman with long wavy hair, wearing black lingerie, looking seductively at camera"
2. Setting and environment
Describe where the scene takes place:
- Location: Bedroom, office, outdoor, public space
- Lighting: Dim, bright, natural light, neon, candlelight
- Time: Day, night, sunset, dawn
- Atmosphere: Cozy, luxurious, gritty, minimal
Example: "in a dimly lit bedroom with soft red lighting and silk sheets"
3. Style and aesthetic
Guide the visual approach:
- Art style: Photorealistic, artistic, painted, illustrated
- Mood: Sensual, playful, intense, romantic, edgy
- Quality markers: 4K, HD, professional, cinematic
- Reference styles: Photography style, film look, artistic movement
Example: "cinematic photography, soft focus, warm tones, professional lighting"
4. Action and context
What's happening in the scene:
- Activity: Posing, movement, interaction
- Energy: Static, dynamic, intimate
- Perspective: POV, close-up, full body, from above
Example: "reclining on bed, stretching languidly, intimate close-up"
The prompt framework
Combine all elements using this template:
[Subject] + [wearing/doing] + [in location] + [with lighting/atmosphere] + [style/mood]
Example prompts
Basic: "Brunette woman in red lingerie, bedroom, soft lighting, photorealistic"
Detailed: "A voluptuous brunette with long straight hair, wearing red lace lingerie, reclining on a velvet couch in a luxurious bedroom, golden hour lighting streaming through sheer curtains, cinematic photography, intimate atmosphere, 4K quality"
Advanced: "Close-up portrait of an athletic blonde with messy hair and smoky eye makeup, wearing black silk, lying on rumpled white sheets, dramatic side lighting creating strong shadows, film noir aesthetic, intense eye contact with camera, professional boudoir photography"
Do's and don'ts
Do
✓ Be specific and detailed
✓ Use descriptive adjectives
✓ Include multiple sensory details
✓ Specify lighting and mood
✓ Reference known styles or aesthetics
✓ Experiment and iterate
Don't
✗ Be vague or generic
✗ Use ambiguous terms
✗ Request prohibited content
✗ Expect perfection on first try
✗ Overload with contradictory details
Common keywords that work well
Physical descriptors
athletic, curvy, petite, voluptuous, toned, slender
Clothing
lingerie, dress, bikini, silk, lace, leather, casual, formal
Lighting
soft light, dramatic lighting, golden hour, neon, candlelight, natural light
Mood/atmosphere
sensual, intimate, playful, seductive, romantic, edgy, mysterious
Style
cinematic, professional photography, artistic, photorealistic, film noir, boudoir
Iterating and improving
Your first prompt rarely produces perfect results. Try:
- Generate initial version: Start with a basic prompt
- Analyze results: What worked? What didn't?
- Refine one element: Change lighting, pose, or detail
- Compare variations: Note which changes improved results
- Build a library: Save successful prompt patterns
Platform-specific tips
For images
- Start simple, add complexity gradually
- Focus on composition and framing
- Lighting keywords have strong impact
- Close-ups vs full body requires different approaches
For videos
- Keep action simple and clear
- Specify camera movement (static, slow pan, zoom)
- Avoid complex multi-step actions
- Lighting should be consistent (avoid "changing" light)
Avoiding common mistakes
Too vague
❌ "Hot girl"
✓ "Athletic brunette in yoga pants, gym setting, natural lighting"
Contradictory details
❌ "Dark room with bright sunlight"
✓ "Dimly lit room with soft lamp light"
Overly complex
❌ "Woman in red dress then changes to blue dress while walking from kitchen to bedroom and sitting down"
✓ "Woman in red dress sitting in bedroom, soft evening light"
Advanced techniques
Once you're comfortable with basics:
- Style mixing: Combine multiple aesthetic references
- Keyword layering: Build detailed scenes with multiple descriptors
- Reference chaining: Use successful prompts as templates
- Negative space: Sometimes less is more
Explore these in our advanced tutorials.