photorealistic_image_prompt_guide.md

Stable Diffusion Prompt Guide: Creating Photorealistic & Beautiful Images

Core Principles

1. Specificity is Key

• Use precise, descriptive language
• Include specific details about lighting, composition, and style
• Mention exact camera settings and techniques

2. Technical Photography Terms

• Camera settings: "shot on Canon EOS R5, 85mm f/1.4 lens, shallow depth of field"
• Lighting: "golden hour lighting, soft natural light, dramatic side lighting"
• Composition: "rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetrical composition"
• Quality: "8K resolution, highly detailed, professional photography"

3. Style Modifiers

• Photorealistic: "photorealistic, hyperrealistic, ultra-detailed"
• Professional: "professional photography, award-winning, National Geographic style"
• Cinematic: "cinematic lighting, movie poster style, dramatic atmosphere"

Essential Prompt Structure

Base Template:

[subject], [action/pose], [lighting], [camera settings], [style], [quality], [composition], [mood/atmosphere]

Example:

A majestic lion, standing proudly on a rocky outcrop, golden hour lighting, shot on Canon EOS R5 with 200mm f/2.8 lens, shallow depth of field, photorealistic, 8K resolution, rule of thirds composition, dramatic atmosphere, National Geographic style

Advanced Techniques

1. Lighting Descriptions

• Natural: "soft natural light, diffused sunlight, overcast lighting"
• Artificial: "studio lighting, three-point lighting, LED panel illumination"
• Atmospheric: "backlighting, rim lighting, volumetric lighting"
• Time-based: "golden hour, blue hour, midday sun, sunset glow"

2. Camera and Lens Specifications

• Lenses: "50mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.4, 200mm f/2.8, wide-angle 24mm"
• Settings: "shallow depth of field, bokeh background, long exposure"
• Techniques: "macro photography, tilt-shift, HDR, bracketed exposure"

3. Quality Enhancers

• Resolution: "8K, 4K, ultra-high resolution"
• Detail: "highly detailed, intricate details, fine textures"
• Sharpness: "tack sharp, crisp focus, professional sharpness"

4. Style References

• Photographers: "Ansel Adams style, Steve McCurry style, Peter Lik style"
• Publications: "National Geographic, Vogue, Architectural Digest"
• Art movements: "impressionist photography, minimalist, documentary style"

Negative Prompts (What to Avoid)

Essential Negative Prompts:

blurry, low quality, pixelated, distorted, deformed, ugly, bad anatomy, watermark, signature, text, oversaturated, cartoon, anime, painting, drawing, illustration

Advanced Negative Prompts:

low resolution, poor lighting, amateur photography, cell phone photo, grainy, noisy, out of focus, motion blur, chromatic aberration, lens flare, vignette

Specialized Categories

1. Portraits

professional headshot, studio lighting, shallow depth of field, sharp focus on eyes, natural skin texture, professional makeup, high-end fashion photography

2. Landscapes

aerial photography, drone shot, golden hour, dramatic clouds, leading lines, rule of thirds, panoramic view, HDR processing

3. Architecture

architectural photography, clean lines, geometric composition, dramatic shadows, golden hour lighting, wide-angle lens, professional real estate photography

4. Nature/Wildlife

wildlife photography, natural habitat, environmental portrait, telephoto lens, shallow depth of field, National Geographic style, documentary photography

Prompt Engineering Tips

1. Weighting System

Use parentheses and numbers to emphasize elements:

• (photorealistic:1.2) - 20% more emphasis
• (golden hour lighting:1.5) - 50% more emphasis
• (blurry:-1.2) - 20% less emphasis in negative prompts

2. Sequential Prompting

Break complex scenes into parts:

"professional studio setup, three-point lighting, (subject), (pose), (expression), (clothing), (background), photorealistic, 8K resolution"

3. Reference Images

• Mention specific styles: "in the style of [photographer]"
• Reference specific techniques: "shot like a [publication] cover"
• Use descriptive comparisons: "as detailed as a [reference]"

Sample Prompts by Category

Portrait Photography

A confident businesswoman, professional headshot pose, three-point studio lighting, shot on Canon EOS R5 with 85mm f/1.4 lens, shallow depth of field, sharp focus on eyes, natural skin texture, professional makeup, high-end fashion photography, photorealistic, 8K resolution, award-winning portrait

Landscape Photography

Majestic mountain range at sunset, golden hour lighting, dramatic clouds, aerial drone photography, wide-angle lens, rule of thirds composition, leading lines, HDR processing, National Geographic style, photorealistic, 8K resolution, professional landscape photography

Wildlife Photography

A majestic eagle in flight, natural habitat, environmental portrait, shot on Canon EOS R5 with 400mm f/2.8 lens, shallow depth of field, golden hour backlighting, sharp focus on the bird, National Geographic style, wildlife photography, photorealistic, 8K resolution

Advanced Tips

1. Iterative Refinement

• Start with a basic prompt
• Add technical details
• Refine lighting and composition
• Add quality enhancers
• Test and adjust weights

2. Model-Specific Optimization

• Different models respond differently to certain terms
• Test prompts across multiple models
• Keep a library of successful prompts
• Document what works best for each model

3. Batch Generation

• Create variations with slight modifications
• Use different lighting scenarios
• Try various camera settings
• Experiment with different styles

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Too vague: "beautiful landscape" → "majestic mountain range at golden hour"
2. Missing technical details: Add camera settings and lighting
3. Over-complicating: Keep prompts focused and coherent
4. Ignoring negative prompts: Always include quality control terms
5. Inconsistent style: Mixing conflicting artistic styles

Tools and Resources

Prompt Generators

• Use AI-powered prompt generators
• Build prompt templates for different categories
• Create prompt libraries for consistent results

Reference Materials

• Study professional photography
• Analyze award-winning images
• Learn photography terminology
• Understand lighting and composition principles

Remember: The best prompts are specific, technical, and well-structured. Practice and experimentation are key to mastering Stable Diffusion prompt engineering.