AI Image Generation Master Guide

Complete guide to creating stunning images with advanced prompt engineering and Flux AI

Master Your Image Generation Skills

Overview

AI Image Generation with Flux AI transforms text descriptions into stunning visual art. This comprehensive guide teaches you everything from basic prompts to advanced prompt engineering techniques used by professionals.

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Fast Generation

High-quality images in 10-30 seconds

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Unlimited Styles

From photorealistic to abstract art

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Infinite Iterations

Refine until perfect with variations

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Professional Quality

Commercial-grade output

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What Makes Great AI Images?

Success comes from mastering these elements:

Clear Subject: Define exactly what you want to see
Specific Style: Reference art movements, artists, or mediums
Detailed Description: Include colors, textures, atmosphere
Composition: Specify angle, framing, depth
Lighting: Describe light source, time of day, mood
Quality Keywords: Add terms that boost output quality

Prompt Basics

Understanding the fundamentals of prompt writing is essential. Let's break down what makes an effective prompt.

The Universal Prompt Formula

Subject

What is in the image?

Style

What art style or medium?

Details

Colors, textures, specifics

Composition

Angle, framing, perspective

Lighting

Light source, time, mood

Quality

Keywords for output quality

Anatomy of a Perfect Prompt

A majestic lion in the style of National Geographic wildlife photography, golden mane flowing in the wind, piercing amber eyes, close-up portrait, shallow depth of field, lit by warm golden hour sunlight from the side, 8k resolution, sharp focus, professional photography, highly detailed

Subject: Clear main focus - a lion

Style: Photorealistic, National Geographic quality

Details: Specific features to emphasize

Composition: How the shot is framed

Lighting: Time of day and light direction

Quality: Technical excellence keywords

From Basic to Advanced

❌ Beginner - Too Simple

"a cat"

Result: Generic, unpredictable, low quality

⚠️ Intermediate - Better but Vague

"a fluffy orange cat sitting"

Result: Somewhat specific, but lacks style and quality

✓ Advanced - Much Better

"a fluffy orange tabby cat sitting on a windowsill, natural lighting, soft focus background, photorealistic, 4k"

Result: Clear subject, some style, decent quality keywords

✓✓ Expert - Optimal

"a fluffy orange tabby cat sitting on a rustic wooden windowsill, looking outside at falling snow, backlit by soft afternoon sunlight streaming through lace curtains, shallow depth of field with bokeh background, photorealistic style, professional pet photography, 8k resolution, sharp focus, warm color grading, highly detailed fur texture"

Result: Exceptional quality, specific scene, professional output

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Pro Tip: Start Simple, Then Layer

Begin with a basic prompt, generate, then progressively add details in subsequent generations. This helps you understand which elements make the biggest impact.

Advanced Prompt Engineering

Master the art and science of crafting prompts that consistently produce exceptional results.

Core Engineering Principles

Specificity Over Generality

Replace vague terms with precise descriptions

❌ Vague: "a nice building"

✓ Specific: "a Gothic cathedral with flying buttresses and rose windows"

Use Reference Points

Mention known styles, artists, or eras

❌ Generic: "artistic portrait"

✓ Referenced: "portrait in the style of Renaissance oil painting, reminiscent of Rembrandt"

Front-Load Important Elements

Put critical details at the beginning

❌ Weak Start: "with mountains in the background, there is a dragon"

✓ Strong Start: "a fierce dragon perched on a cliff, mountains in the distant background"

Layer Descriptors

Build complexity through multiple descriptive layers

❌ Flat: "a forest"

✓ Layered: "an ancient forest (setting), with towering redwoods (scale), covered in morning mist (atmosphere), dappled sunlight filtering through canopy (lighting)"

Include Negative Space

Describe what's NOT in the image when relevant

Basic: "a minimalist room"

✓ Enhanced: "a minimalist room, clean lines, no clutter, empty walls, single piece of furniture"

Emotional & Atmospheric Language

Use words that convey feeling and mood

❌ Flat: "a dark room"

✓ Evocative: "a dimly lit, moody room with an eerie atmosphere, mysterious shadows"

Understanding Keyword Power

Not all words carry equal weight. Here's how different types of keywords impact your image:

HIGH IMPACT

Style References: "in the style of...", "like a...", "reminiscent of..."
Art Movements: impressionism, surrealism, art deco, cyberpunk
Quality Terms: masterpiece, professional, award-winning, highly detailed

MEDIUM IMPACT

Technical Specs: 8k, 4k, sharp focus, depth of field
Lighting: natural light, dramatic lighting, soft light
Colors: vibrant, muted, warm tones, cool palette

LOW IMPACT

Generic Adjectives: nice, good, beautiful (too vague)
Weak Modifiers: somewhat, slightly, kind of
Filler Words: very, really, quite

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Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Contradictory terms: "photorealistic anime" sends mixed signals
Too many subjects: Stick to 1-3 main elements max
Overuse of adjectives: Quality over quantity - be selective
Missing medium: Always specify if it's photo, painting, 3D render, etc.
Vague quantities: Instead of "some trees", say "a small grove of pine trees"

Comprehensive Style Guide

Understanding different art styles and how to prompt for them is key to achieving your desired aesthetic.

Major Style Categories

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Photorealistic

Images that look like real photographs

Key Terms: photorealistic professional photography DSLR Canon/Nikon style 50mm lens bokeh natural lighting

Example Prompt:

"A photorealistic portrait of a woman in business attire, professional photography, shot with 85mm lens, natural lighting from large window, shallow depth of field, soft bokeh background, 8k, sharp focus"

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Cinematic

Movie-quality scenes with dramatic lighting

Key Terms: cinematic film still anamorphic lens dramatic lighting color grading wide angle epic scale

Example Prompt:

"A cinematic wide-angle shot of a lone figure standing on a cliff edge at sunset, dramatic lighting, epic scale, anamorphic lens flares, moody color grading, film grain, 2.39:1 aspect ratio"

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Anime / Manga

Japanese animation and comic book styles

Key Terms: anime manga Studio Ghibli cel shaded kawaii shounen makoto shinkai

Example Prompt:

"An anime-style character with large expressive eyes, colorful hair, in the style of Studio Ghibli, cel-shaded, soft watercolor backgrounds, magical atmosphere, makoto shinkai lighting"

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Oil Painting

Traditional painted look with visible brushstrokes

Key Terms: oil painting impasto visible brushstrokes canvas texture impressionist Rembrandt lighting old masters

Example Prompt:

"A portrait in oil painting style, thick impasto brushstrokes, rich colors, canvas texture visible, Rembrandt lighting, in the style of Dutch Golden Age masters, museum quality"

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Digital Art

Modern digital illustration and concept art

Key Terms: digital art concept art ArtStation trending on ArtStation digital painting matte painting illustration

Example Prompt:

"A fantasy landscape digital painting, concept art style, trending on ArtStation, vibrant colors, detailed environment, matte painting technique, by Greg Rutkowski and Alphonse Mucha"

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3D Render

Computer-generated 3D models and scenes

Key Terms: 3D render Octane render Unreal Engine ray tracing volumetric lighting C4D Blender

Example Prompt:

"A futuristic cityscape, 3D render, Octane render, ray tracing, volumetric fog, neon lights, cyberpunk aesthetic, rendered in Unreal Engine, 8k, highly detailed"

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Watercolor

Soft, flowing painted style with color bleeds

Key Terms: watercolor soft edges color bleeding wash technique translucent delicate paper texture

Example Prompt:

"A serene landscape in watercolor style, soft edges, gentle color bleeding, translucent washes, delicate brush technique, light paper texture, pastel color palette"

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Minimalist

Clean, simple designs with limited elements

Key Terms: minimalist simple clean lines negative space geometric flat design limited color palette

Example Prompt:

"A minimalist poster design, clean geometric shapes, negative space, limited color palette of black, white and one accent color, flat design, simple composition"

Mixing Styles

You can combine styles for unique results. Here are successful combinations:

"Cinematic + Anime"

"Anime character in cinematic lighting, dramatic shadows, film grain, widescreen composition"

"Photorealistic + Fantasy"

"Photorealistic dragon, professional photography, as if photographed in real life, National Geographic style"

"Watercolor + Digital"

"Digital art with watercolor painting effects, soft edges, painterly look, modern illustration"

"3D Render + Oil Painting"

"3D rendered scene with oil painting shader, painterly rendering, impressionistic lighting"

Lighting & Mood Mastery

Lighting transforms images from ordinary to extraordinary. Master these techniques to control mood and atmosphere.

Essential Lighting Setups

🌅 Golden Hour

When: Sunrise/sunset, warm soft light

Mood: Romantic, nostalgic, peaceful

Keywords: golden hour, warm sunlight, soft shadows, warm color temperature, backlighting

Example: "portrait at golden hour, warm sunlight from behind, soft rim lighting, warm orange glow, gentle shadows"

🌙 Blue Hour

When: Twilight, cool blue tones

Mood: Mysterious, calm, serene

Keywords: blue hour, twilight, cool tones, soft natural light, deep blue sky

Example: "cityscape during blue hour, cool twilight tones, city lights beginning to glow, serene atmosphere"

⚡ Dramatic Lighting

When: High contrast, strong shadows

Mood: Intense, moody, cinematic

Keywords: dramatic lighting, high contrast, deep shadows, chiaroscuro, Rembrandt lighting

Example: "portrait with dramatic Rembrandt lighting, strong side light, deep shadows on one side, high contrast"

☀️ Harsh Midday

When: Noon, direct overhead sun

Mood: Hot, intense, stark

Keywords: harsh sunlight, strong shadows, high noon, intense light, stark contrast

Example: "desert landscape under harsh midday sun, strong shadows, intense light, heat haze"

🌫️ Soft Diffused

When: Overcast, soft shadows

Mood: Gentle, even, calm

Keywords: soft lighting, diffused light, even illumination, minimal shadows, cloudy day

Example: "portrait with soft diffused lighting, even illumination, minimal shadows, gentle and flattering"

💡 Studio Lighting

When: Controlled artificial light

Mood: Professional, controlled, clean

Keywords: studio lighting, softbox, key light, fill light, professional setup, controlled lighting

Example: "product photo with professional studio lighting, softbox, clean white background, even illumination"

🔥 Warm Interior

When: Indoor warm artificial light

Mood: Cozy, intimate, inviting

Keywords: warm interior lighting, lamp light, cozy atmosphere, tungsten lighting, intimate mood

Example: "cozy living room with warm lamp lighting, soft glows from multiple sources, inviting atmosphere"

🌈 Colored Lighting

When: Artificial colored lights

Mood: Modern, vibrant, energetic

Keywords: neon lighting, colored gels, RGB lights, vibrant colors, cyberpunk lighting

Example: "portrait lit by neon lights, pink and blue color scheme, cyberpunk aesthetic, vibrant colored lighting"

Creating Specific Moods

Mysterious / Eerie

fog, mist, dim lighting, shadows, cool tones, backlit, silhouettes, moonlight

Joyful / Energetic

bright colors, high key lighting, sunny, vibrant, clear skies, golden light

Melancholic / Somber

overcast, muted colors, soft light, gray tones, rain, lonely, quiet atmosphere

Romantic / Dreamy

soft focus, bokeh, warm tones, golden hour, lens flares, ethereal, pastel colors

Dramatic / Epic

storm clouds, dramatic sky, rays of light, high contrast, powerful, grand scale

Composition Techniques

Composition determines how elements are arranged in your image. These techniques guide the viewer's eye and create visual interest.

Essential Composition Rules

Rule of Thirds

Place key elements along imaginary lines dividing the image into thirds

Keywords: rule of thirds, off-center composition, balanced placement

Example: "landscape with horizon at lower third, tree positioned at right third intersection point"

Leading Lines

Use lines to draw the viewer's eye to the focal point

Keywords: leading lines, perspective lines, converging lines, road leading to

Example: "path leading towards mountain in distance, strong perspective lines, vanishing point"

Framing

Use elements to create a frame within the frame

Keywords: natural frame, framed by, through archway, window frame, surrounded by

Example: "castle framed by overhanging tree branches, natural vignette, focus on center"

Symmetry

Create balance through mirrored elements

Keywords: symmetrical composition, perfect symmetry, mirror reflection, balanced, centered

Example: "grand hallway with perfect symmetry, centered perspective, reflection in polished floor"

Depth of Field

Control what's in focus vs. blurred

Keywords: shallow depth of field, bokeh, soft focus background, tack sharp foreground

Example: "portrait with shallow depth of field, subject in sharp focus, background soft bokeh"

Negative Space

Use empty space to emphasize the subject

Keywords: negative space, minimalist, empty space around, isolated subject, breathing room

Example: "lone tree in vast empty field, lots of negative space, minimalist composition"

Camera Angles & Perspectives

Eye Level:

"eye level view, straight on, neutral perspective"

Bird's Eye:

"aerial view, bird's eye perspective, top-down view, looking straight down"

Worm's Eye:

"low angle, looking up, worm's eye view, from ground level"

Dutch Angle:

"tilted camera, Dutch angle, diagonal horizon, dynamic angle"

Over the Shoulder:

"over the shoulder shot, looking past subject, third-person view"

Close-Up:

"extreme close-up, macro shot, intimate detail, filling frame"

Wide Shot:

"wide angle, environmental shot, subject in landscape, establishing shot"

Quality Keywords That Matter

Certain keywords dramatically improve output quality. Here's your essential list.

🔥 Must-Have Quality Terms

8k 4k highly detailed sharp focus professional masterpiece best quality ultra detailed

⭐ Photography-Specific

DSLR quality Canon/Nikon 50mm/85mm lens f/1.4 aperture bokeh RAW photo professional photography

🎨 Art-Specific

trending on ArtStation award winning museum quality by [famous artist] masterpiece fine art gallery quality

💎 Technical Excellence

ray tracing global illumination octane render unreal engine volumetric lighting physically based rendering

Powerful Combinations

Stack these for maximum impact:

Photography Combo:

"professional photography, 8k, sharp focus, natural lighting, DSLR, 85mm lens, bokeh"

Digital Art Combo:

"digital painting, highly detailed, trending on ArtStation, award winning, masterpiece quality"

3D Render Combo:

"octane render, ray tracing, volumetric lighting, 8k, ultra detailed, physically based rendering"

Cinematic Combo:

"cinematic lighting, film grain, anamorphic lens, color grading, 8k, ultra wide angle"

Before / After Prompt Examples

See how small changes make huge differences. Learn from these transformations.

Example 1: Portrait Photography

❌ BEFORE - Weak Prompt

"a woman"

Result: Generic, unpredictable style, low quality, vague features

→

✓ AFTER - Optimized Prompt

"A professional portrait of a woman in her 30s, natural expression, wearing elegant business attire, shot with 85mm lens at f/1.8, soft natural window light from the left, shallow depth of field with creamy bokeh background, neutral studio backdrop, professional photography, 8k, sharp focus on eyes, subtle color grading"

Result: Professional quality, clear style, specific lighting, sharp details, predictable output

What Changed:

Added age and context
Specified camera specs (85mm, f/1.8)
Defined lighting (window light from left)
Added depth of field control
Included quality keywords

Example 2: Fantasy Landscape

❌ BEFORE

"fantasy landscape"

Result: Unclear style, missing atmosphere, no focal point

→

✓ AFTER

"An epic fantasy landscape with towering crystalline mountains piercing through clouds, ancient floating islands connected by chains, dramatic sunset with rays of light breaking through storm clouds, foreground showing weathered stone ruins overgrown with luminescent moss, digital art, matte painting style, trending on ArtStation, by Greg Rutkowski, cinematic composition, 8k, highly detailed, volumetric lighting"

Result: Specific scene, clear style, atmospheric details, professional quality

What Changed:

Described specific landscape features
Added foreground/background elements
Specified lighting and atmosphere
Referenced art style and artist
Added platform reference (ArtStation)

Example 3: Product Photography

❌ BEFORE

"watch on table"

Result: Poor composition, unclear lighting, amateur look

→

✓ AFTER

"Luxury watch product photography on black marble surface, studio lighting with softbox from 45-degree angle, subtle rim light highlighting metal details, clean minimalist composition with negative space, shallow depth of field focusing on watch face, reflections on polished surface, professional product photography, commercial quality, 8k, tack sharp, color accurate"

Result: Commercial-grade, perfect lighting, professional composition

What Changed:

Specified product type and surface
Detailed lighting setup
Added composition rules
Defined focus and reflections
Emphasized commercial quality

Example 4: Character Design

❌ BEFORE

"anime girl"

Result: Generic character, no personality, unclear style

→

✓ AFTER

"A vibrant anime character portrait of a young female warrior with flowing silver hair and determined emerald eyes, wearing ornate armor with blue and gold accents, confident expression, dynamic pose, Studio Ghibli meets modern anime style, soft cel shading, magical sparkles in background, warm color palette with cool highlights, by Makoto Shinkai and Yoshitaka Amano, detailed character design, trending on Pixiv, 4k"

Result: Unique character, specific style, clear personality, professional anime quality

What Changed:

Described character features and personality
Specified clothing and colors
Referenced specific anime styles and artists
Added background and atmosphere
Included platform reference (Pixiv)

Advanced Techniques

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Progressive Refinement

Start simple, then add layers of detail:

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Variation Generation

Create variations by changing one element at a time:

Time Variations: Same scene at dawn, noon, dusk, night
Weather Variations: Same location in rain, snow, fog, sunshine
Season Variations: Same scene across all four seasons
Mood Variations: Same subject in different emotional states
Style Variations: Same scene in different art styles

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Reference Stacking

Combine multiple artistic references:

"In the style of Studio Ghibli (whimsical), with lighting reminiscent of Caravaggio (dramatic), composition inspired by Ansel Adams (landscape mastery), color palette like Wes Anderson films (pastel perfection)"

Each reference pulls specific strengths from different masters

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Micro-Detailing

Add tiny specific details that elevate realism:

For faces: "pores visible, subtle skin texture, individual eyelashes"

For nature: "individual leaves, bark texture, moss detail"

For objects: "weathering, scratches, dust particles, surface imperfections"

For environments: "atmospheric haze, volumetric fog, light particles"

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Contrast Emphasis

Use contrasts to create visual interest:

Light vs Dark: "bright foreground, dark mysterious background"
Warm vs Cool: "warm sunlit figure against cool blue shadows"
Sharp vs Soft: "tack-sharp subject, soft dreamy background"
Large vs Small: "tiny figure in vast landscape emphasizing scale"
Busy vs Empty: "detailed subject in minimalist negative space"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

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Too Vague

Problem: "a nice picture of nature"

Solution: "a serene mountain lake at sunrise, surrounded by pine forests, mist rising from water, soft pastel sky, landscape photography, 8k"

Always be specific. Vague terms yield unpredictable results.

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Contradictory Styles

Problem: "photorealistic cartoon anime 3D render oil painting"

Solution: Pick ONE primary style: "anime style character" OR "photorealistic portrait"

Mixing too many conflicting styles confuses the AI. Choose a primary style.

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Keyword Overload

Problem: "amazing, beautiful, stunning, incredible, awesome, fantastic, perfect, gorgeous"

Solution: "professional photography, 8k, highly detailed, masterpiece"

Quality over quantity. Use specific technical terms, not generic adjectives.

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No Medium Specified

Problem: "a dragon breathing fire"

Solution: "a dragon breathing fire, digital painting, concept art style" OR "a dragon breathing fire, photorealistic, as if National Geographic photograph"

Always specify if it's a photo, painting, 3D render, drawing, etc.

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Neglecting Lighting

Problem: "portrait of a man"

Solution: "portrait of a man with dramatic Rembrandt lighting, strong side light, deep shadows"

Lighting transforms images. Always include lighting description.

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Ignoring Composition

Problem: "cityscape"

Solution: "cityscape from high vantage point, bird's eye view, leading lines of streets, rule of thirds composition"

Specify angle, framing, and perspective for better results.

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Forgetting Color Information

Problem: "a room"

Solution: "a modern living room with warm beige walls, navy blue sofa, gold accents, natural wood furniture"

Colors dramatically affect mood. Specify your color palette.

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Too Many Subjects

Problem: "a cat, dog, bird, fish, hamster, and rabbit playing together in a garden with flowers, trees, fountain, bench, and rainbow"

Solution: "a golden retriever and orange tabby cat playing together in a sunlit garden, shallow depth of field"

Limit to 1-3 main subjects. Too many elements create chaos.

Troubleshooting

❓ Images don't match my prompt

Solutions:

Make your prompt more specific and detailed
Put the most important elements first
Remove contradictory terms
Add style and quality keywords
Try regenerating multiple times

❓ Quality is lower than expected

Solutions:

Add quality keywords: 8k, highly detailed, professional, masterpiece
Specify the medium: photography, digital art, oil painting, etc.
Reference high-quality sources: "trending on ArtStation", "National Geographic style"
Increase resolution settings if available
Add lighting and composition details

❓ Generation is too slow

Solutions:

Try during off-peak hours
Reduce image resolution temporarily
Simplify your prompt if extremely long
Check your internet connection
Use fewer generation steps if adjustable

❓ Faces look distorted or weird

Solutions:

Add "beautiful face", "perfect face", "detailed facial features"
Specify "photorealistic" if you want realistic faces
Try "portrait" keyword for face focus
Add "symmetrical face" if needed
Increase quality keywords

❓ Hands look unnatural

Solutions:

AI struggles with hands - this is common
Frame composition to hide or minimize hands when possible
Try "detailed hands", "perfect hands", "anatomically correct"
Generate multiple times and select best result
Consider using image editing tools to fix hands post-generation

❓ Text in image is gibberish

Solutions:

Current AI image generators struggle with accurate text
Avoid prompts requiring readable text
Add text in post-processing with image editors instead
Focus on visual elements rather than text-dependent designs

❓ Wrong style is generated

Solutions:

Be extremely explicit about style: "photorealistic photograph NOT anime NOT cartoon"
Use style-specific keywords early in the prompt
Reference specific artists or examples
Remove any conflicting style terms
Try using style preset buttons if available