I don't need paragraphs in my prompts. I need a core. Usually that's 3–7 words and parameters that keep the frame in check. That way I can see exactly what I'm changing — and I stop confusing causes with effects.

My "why"

  1. Clear intent — the prompt core is what stays. Everything else is for experimenting.
  2. Repeatability — one change at a time. I know what worked.
  3. Hygiene — short prompts are readable the next day. I don't dig through essays.
My rule: first I see the image, then I write a short core + parameters. I iterate one change at a time.

The structure I use

  • Subject (what it is): e.g. brutalist tower, editorial portrait, watch product shot
  • Technique / mood: 1–2 words (e.g. soft light, overcast, kodak portra)
  • Parameters: --ar (ratio), --stylize (intensity), --chaos (variety)

Examples from my workflow

  • brutalist tower, overcast, cinematic — --ar 16:9 --stylize 150
  • editorial portrait, soft window light, kodak portra — --ar 4:5 --stylize 200
  • watch product shot, glossy reflections — --ar 1:1 --stylize 120

Parameters I always have ready

  • --ar — I match it to the medium (Instagram: 4:5/1:1, web: 16:9, stories: 9:16).
  • --stylize — 120–300 is my "safe zone". I go higher when I want more character.
  • --chaos — 0–20 for stability, 20–40 when exploring, 60+ when I want something strange.

The most common mistakes I've cut out

  • Wall of text — the model gets distracted. So do I.
  • Mixing five aesthetics at once — "portra + ektachrome + ilford" in one prompt isn't my approach.
  • Missing aspect ratio — just --ar alone can fix the whole composition.