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The Art of Prompt Writing

Great prompts are the key to outstanding AI-generated content. Learn how to communicate effectively with AI models to get exactly what you envisage.

Prompt Structure

Basic Formula

[Subject] + [Action/Pose] + [Setting] + [Style] + [Technical Details]

Detailed Breakdown

1

Subject (Who/What)

Define the main focus of your image or video
  • “A professional businesswoman”
  • “A vintage sports car”
  • “A cozy coffee shop interior”
2

Action/Pose

Describe what’s happening or how subjects are positioned
  • “confidently presenting to a boardroom”
  • “parked on a city street at sunset”
  • “with customers enjoying morning coffee”
3

Setting/Environment

Establish the location and context
  • “in a modern glass office building”
  • “with neon lights reflecting off wet pavement”
  • “with warm wooden furniture and plants”
4

Style/Mood

Set the artistic direction and emotional tone
  • “corporate and professional atmosphere”
  • “cinematic film noir style”
  • “cozy and inviting ambiance”
5

Technical Details

Specify camera, lighting, and quality parameters
  • “85mm lens, shallow depth of field”
  • “dramatic side lighting, high contrast”
  • “natural window lighting, soft shadows”

Effective Prompt Examples

Portrait Photography

A confident young professional in a navy blue suit, sitting at a modern desk, genuine smile, corporate office background, natural window lighting, 85mm lens, shallow depth of field, high-end business portrait

Scene Generation

A bustling city street at golden hour, people walking on sidewalks, modern architecture, warm streetlights beginning to illuminate, cinematic wide-angle shot, urban lifestyle photography

Power Words and Phrases

Quality Enhancers

  • Photorealistic: Emphasises realistic appearance
  • High-resolution: Suggests detail and clarity
  • Professional: Implies commercial-grade quality
  • Cinematic: Adds movie-like production value
  • Award-winning: Suggests exceptional quality

Lighting Terms

  • Golden hour: Warm, natural sunset/sunrise light
  • Soft lighting: Gentle, flattering illumination
  • Dramatic lighting: High contrast, moody shadows
  • Studio lighting: Professional, controlled lighting
  • Natural light: Realistic, everyday lighting

Camera/Technical Terms

  • 85mm lens: Portrait lens, natural perspective
  • Wide-angle: Expansive view, environmental context
  • Macro lens: Extreme close-up detail
  • Shallow depth of field: Blurred background focus
  • Eye-level: Natural, relatable perspective

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Problem: Too many conflicting elementsBad: “A person who is both a doctor and a chef cooking in a hospital kitchen while performing surgery”Good: “A professional chef preparing a gourmet meal in a modern restaurant kitchen”
Problem: Lacks specific detailsBad: “A nice person in a place”Good: “A friendly barista serving coffee in a cozy neighborhood café”
Problem: Conflicting style or technical requirementsBad: “Bright sunny day with moody dark lighting”Good: “Bright sunny day with natural outdoor lighting” OR “Moody dark atmosphere with dramatic studio lighting”

Advanced Prompt Techniques

Negative Prompts

Specify what you DON’T want:
  • “No blur, no distortion, no artificial elements”
  • “Avoid cartoonish style, no oversaturation”
  • “No crowd, no cluttered background”

Style References

Reference specific artistic styles:
  • “In the style of Annie Leibovitz portrait photography”
  • “Corporate photography similar to LinkedIn profile photos”
  • “Street photography aesthetic like Henri Cartier-Bresson”

Emotional Direction

Guide the mood and feeling:
  • “Confident and empowering atmosphere”
  • “Warm and approachable personality”
  • “Serious and professional demeanor”

Model-Specific Tips

Aura Photo Prompts

  • Focus on realistic, photographic descriptions
  • Include specific lighting and camera details
  • Emphasize human subjects and portraits
  • Use professional photography terminology

Aura Video Prompts

  • Describe subtle, natural movements
  • Focus on character expressions and gestures
  • Include environmental motion (wind, lighting changes)
  • Keep actions simple and realistic

Seedance Pro 1 Prompts

  • Can handle more complex scene descriptions
  • Works well with cinematic and dynamic content
  • Include camera movement and scene transitions
  • Can process more abstract concepts

Prompt Iteration Strategy

1

Start Simple

Begin with basic subject + setting + style
2

Test and Refine

Generate with low quality to test concept
3

Add Detail

Enhance with specific technical and style details
4

Fine-tune

Adjust based on results, add or remove elements
5

Final Generation

Use refined prompt with high quality settings

Building Your Prompt Library

Organise by Category

  • Portrait Templates: Headshots, creative portraits, lifestyle
  • Scene Templates: Urban, interior, product, nature
  • Style Presets: Corporate, artistic, cinematic, casual
  • Technical Setups: Lighting, camera angles, lenses

Save Successful Prompts

  • Document what works for your specific use cases
  • Note which models respond best to certain styles
  • Build templates for recurring project types
  • Share effective prompts with team members
Start with proven prompt templates and modify them for your specific needs. This is faster than writing from scratch and ensures consistent quality.
Great prompts are specific enough to guide the AI but flexible enough to allow for creative interpretation. Find the balance that works for your style.