This page gives you a lean, tool‑agnostic prompt structure for images and videos. Copy the formula, and always add the Reality layer (imperfections • physics • human trace) so the outputs feel human!
🖼️ IMAGE — Master Formula
💡SUBJECT → identity and standout traits (brand/SKU, material, emotion). ACTION → physical verb to add intent to a still (e.g., “caught mid‑air,” “resting on edge”). SETTING → context that sells the story (place, time, weather, era). COMPOSITION → angle, distance, framing rules (rule‑of‑thirds/symmetry/negative space). STYLE → art direction cues (references), color palette, surface textures. LIGHTING → key/fill/rim, hardness/softness, direction, color temp/gels. LENS → focal length vibe (24 wide drama • 35 natural • 50 neutral • 85 portrait compression). REALITY → believable details (tiny flaws, weight, traces of use, brand color/voice). OUTPUT → aspect ratio, resolution, model/version, seed/quality.
Example:
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SUBJECT: carbon‑black running shoe with reflective mesh, size 42, pro line
ACTION: caught mid‑air above sand, slight heel tilt
SETTING: windy desert at golden hour
COMPOSITION: low 3/4 angle, rule‑of‑thirds, generous negative space on the right
STYLE: 90s sports commercial; palette petrol teal + warm sand; textures ripstop + rubber
LIGHTING: hard raking key at 35°, soft cyan fill, warm rim from back right
LENS: 35mm look, shallow depth
REALITY: coarse sand stuck to midsole, micro‑scuff on heel, faint dust specks, brand color stripe
OUTPUT: 4:5, hi‑res
📽️ Video — Master Formula
💡DURATION → forces pacing discipline (most hooks 3‑7s). SUBJECT/ACTION → clear, physical change the viewer can read instantly. SETTING → context that amplifies the offer (environment/time/weather). CAMERA → start position, movement path (orbit/push/truck/tilt), end framing; specify speed. BEATS → micro‑timeline so the model hits hook → build → payoff without cuts. LIGHTING → defines mood and readability during motion. STYLE → art direction and palette that match the brand. REALITY → physics (weight/inertia/drag), motion blur, depth‑consistent parallax, tiny flaws. OUTPUT → aspect, fps, model/version (and codec if available).
Example:
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SUBJECT: same carbon‑black running shoe
ACTION: slow 360° spin while a light gust kicks up dust
SETTING: desert at golden hour
CAMERA: start right profile, ease‑in orbital left 120°, settle to rear‑three‑quarter close
BEATS: t=0 hook (shoe enters, dust puff) • t=1.2 build (spin reveals mesh highlights) • t=5 payoff (logo lock, steady)
LIGHTING: hard key at 35°, warm rim, soft cyan fill to lift shadows
STYLE: 90s sports spot; petrol teal + sand palette
REALITY: coarse dust particles crossing lens, weight‑true falloff on laces, subtle rolling‑shutter wobble
OUTPUT: 9:16, 24fps
Animating from a still? Keep SUBJECT/COMPOSITION from the source image; define CAMERA path, particle behavior, and REALITY (parallax, blur, weight) explicitly.
📝 Steal My Prompts (with real examples)
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Image — Production
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Extreme close-up cinematic portrait of a man in a desert environment under harsh midday sunlight, his face partially covered in fine sand particles and a subtle sweat sheen glistening in the heat. He wears a beige desert jacket with a hood, with futuristic reflective goggles pushed up on his forehead so his piercing eyes are fully visible, staring forward with intensity and slightly squinting against the light. Sand particles drift through the air with faint heat haze in the background, creating a raw survivalist yet fashion-editorial mood. Shot on a 35mm lens with shallow depth of field, ultra-realistic textures, dramatic contrast, luxury ad aesthetic, fashion editorial, cinematic, Dior desert campaign, Balenciaga style, surreal realism, film grain, aspirational dramatic tone, beige and sun-bleached desert color palette with golden highlights.
Video — Production
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A cinematic extreme close-up of a man’s face in a desert under harsh midday sunlight, his skin covered with fine sand grains and sweat glistening in the heat. He wears a beige desert jacket with a hood, futuristic reflective goggles pushed up on his forehead, leaving his piercing eyes visible. The man keeps his gaze forward, then slowly opens his eyes with intensity. Countless sand particles fly violently in front of his face, fast-moving and chaotic, like a desert storm passing across the lens. The camera performs a slow, steady dolly-in toward his face, closing the distance inch by inch to heighten drama. Heat haze shimmers in the background, while the textures remain ultra-realistic with strong contrast, cinematic fashion editorial style, Balenciaga desert campaign, Dior dune aesthetic, golden beige tones, film grain, aspirational and stoic mood.
Image — Production
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A cinematic centered product shot of a luxurious futuristic perfume bottle, positioned upright perfectly in the middle of the frame. The bottle stands on a flat desert sand surface, smooth and even, with sharp midday sunlight casting bold, crisp shadows around it. Fine sand grains are scattered subtly across the surface and lightly cling to the base of the bottle, adding realism. The background is minimal and dark with a faint vignette, leaving clean negative space above the bottle for text overlay. The glass facets of the bottle catch warm golden highlights. The entire image has a 90s film aesthetic with warm desert tones, muted saturation, faded blacks, subtle film grain, soft vignette, and a cinematic luxury perfume ad style Dior dune campaign, Balenciaga editorial, shot on 35mm analog film.
Video — Production
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A luxurious futuristic perfume bottle stands boldly in the flat desert sand, glinting in the harsh midday sunlight. The camera arcs left, sweeping counterclockwise around the bottle, revealing its intricate glass facets catching golden highlights. Rapidly whipping sand particles dance across the lens, creating a chaotic and energetic rhythm. As the arc continues, heat haze shimmers in the background, while sharp desert shadows stretch across the warm-toned sand. The scene carries a 90s film aesthetic, characterized by muted saturation and subtle film grain, radiating a nostalgic luxury. The atmosphere evokes an intoxicating blend of elegance and wild nature, inviting an introspective reflection.
Image — Production
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A cinematic tight medium shot of a man running directly toward the camera in the desert under harsh midday sunlight. The framing captures him from the knees up, filling most of the frame so his feet are not visible. His body leans forward powerfully in mid-run, one arm bent upward naturally as he sprints. He wears an oversized stone-grey poncho-style jacket with layered collars over a cream sweatshirt, paired with loose white cargo trousers. On his face are bold wraparound sport sunglasses with a beige frame and vivid red-orange mirrored lenses reflecting the desert sun. His clothing and skin are lightly dusted with desert sand. The camera is positioned close, at chest height, creating an urgent, in-your-face perspective as if he’s about to break into the lens. Behind him, a flat desert horizon stretches with faint heat haze shimmering. The mood is raw, dynamic, and editorial, realistic yet cinematic, like a luxury desert campaign. The entire image has a 90s film aesthetic with warm desert tones, muted saturation, faded blacks, subtle film grain, Dior dune campaign style, shot on 35mm analog film.
Video — Production
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A tight medium shot of a man running directly toward the camera in the desert under harsh midday sunlight. The framing captures him from the knees up, very close to the lens, his body leaning forward aggressively in full sprint. His arms pump naturally as he runs, sand bursting behind his legs with every stride. The camera tracks smoothly backward to hold him in frame, tilted slightly downward for urgency. Fine desert sand particles whip chaotically across the lens and across him, fast and close, echoing the stormy energy of the desert. Behind him, the horizon is flat with faint heat haze shimmering. The mood is raw and cinematic, like a luxury desert campaign. The entire video has a 90s film aesthetic with warm desert tones, muted saturation, faded blacks, subtle film grain, Dior dune campaign style, shot on 35mm analog film.
Image — Production
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A cinematic close-up shot from behind of a man’s head and upper shoulders in the desert under harsh midday sunlight. The framing is tight, showing only the back of his head and his jacket collar, slightly off-center in the composition. His hair and clothing are lightly dusted with fine desert sand, rim-lit by golden sunlight. The background is a flat desert horizon fading into warm sky tones. The mood is cinematic and editorial, realistic yet dramatic, like a fashion campaign shot in the desert. The entire image has a 90s film aesthetic with warm desert tones, muted saturation, faded blacks, subtle film grain, Dior dune campaign style, shot on 35mm analog film.
Video — Production
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A cinematic close-up starting from the back of a young Caucasian man’s head and shoulders in the desert under harsh midday sunlight. The camera is tight and intimate. Slowly, he begins to turn his head toward the camera, strands of dusty brown hair catching the light. As he completes the turn, his youthful face is revealed: sharp cheekbones, sun-touched skin, and a few specks of sand clinging to his features. His expression is serious and intense, his piercing eyes locking directly into the lens with unwavering focus. Fine desert sand particles swirl violently in the air, whipping close in front of the lens and scattering across his face and shoulders. The background is a flat desert horizon with shimmering heat haze. The motion feels dramatic and cinematic, building suspense as his eyes meet the viewer. The entire video has a 90s film aesthetic with warm desert tones, muted saturation, faded blacks, subtle film grain, Dior dune campaign style, shot on 35mm analog film.
Image — Production
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A cinematic close-up of a single bottle positioned upright, perfectly centered in frame. A dramatic splash effect bursts upward and outward around the bottle, frozen in motion. The background glows in warm desert-inspired tones, with gradients of sandy beige, muted gold, and soft amber, giving a rich cinematic atmosphere. The splash droplets catch the warm light, sparkling with golden reflections. The overall mood is bold, luxurious, and dramatic, like a high-fashion campaign still. Styled with a 90s film aesthetic, warm muted tones, faded blacks, subtle film grain, Dior dune campaign style, shot on 35mm analog film.
Video — Production
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A cinematic close-up of a luxurious perfume bottle standing at the center of a desert-toned surface. Suddenly, the bottle rises slightly upward as if lifted by the impact. At the same moment, a massive splash of golden liquid explodes around it in dynamic motion, surging upward and outward with droplets scattering across the frame. The water moves in real time, glistening under the warm sunset light, glowing in shades of amber and gold. The camera remains fixed, holding the bottle perfectly centered while the energy of the splash fills the frame. The overall mood is bold and luxurious, with dramatic motion and rich cinematic atmosphere.
Image — Production
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A surreal product photography scene featuring the Nike Air Max shoe as the hero subject. The sneaker is mid-air above a desert landscape of fine golden sand, under a bright blue sky with soft clouds. The sand forms a dynamic swirling vortex beneath the shoe, creating motion and energy as grains spiral outward in smooth curves. The movement of the sand echoes the swoosh logo, with some grains flying up into the air around the sneaker. The shoe is rendered in sharp detail, showcasing its vibrant colors--pink, orange, purple, turquoise, and black accents--contrasting against the warm earth tones of the sand. Dramatic lighting enhances the glossy textures, with sunlight glinting on the surface of the midsole and air bubble. The overall composition is cinematic, hyper-realistic, and dynamic, with a sense of motion frozen in time, emphasizing both the shoe’s bold design and its futuristic energy.
Video — Production
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A cinematic animation of the Nike Air Max sneaker rotating in mid-air against desert dunes. As the sneaker begins its smooth rotation, a powerful burst of sand erupts beneath and around it like an explosion of fine grains scattering in every direction. Larger clumps break apart into smaller particles mid-air, while a cloud of finer sand dust hangs and drifts realistically in the sunlight. The rotation of the shoe feels clean and continuous, while the sand reacts dynamically some grains trailing along with the shoe’s spin, others dispersing outward in chaotic but natural arcs. Lighting highlights the vibrant sneaker colors (pink, orange, purple, turquoise, black), while the sand glows in warm tones against the bright desert sky. The overall feeling: bold, energetic, hyper-realistic, and dynamic as if the shoe’s rotation is powering the burst of sand itself.
Image — Production
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A cinematic close-up of a stylish young man wearing a bucket hat and futuristic reflective sunglasses, captured in the act of adjusting the glasses with both hands. He wears layered streetwear with subtle metallic jewelry, glowing under the harsh desert sunlight. His face is partially shadowed by the hat, giving a moody, intense expression. The background shows a wide desert horizon with golden sand and faint heat haze, replacing the dark studio backdrop. The atmosphere is bold and dramatic, blending high-fashion editorial styling with the raw desert environment. The image has a 90s film aesthetic with muted tones, faded blacks, subtle grain, and a cinematic campaign feel shot on 35mm analog film.
Video — Production
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a stylish young man wearing a bucket hat and futuristic reflective sunglasses, captured in the act of adjusting the glasses with both hands. His face is partially shadowed by the hat, giving a moody, intense expression. The background shows a wide desert horizon with golden sand and faint heat haze, replacing the dark studio backdrop.
📽️ The 19 Step Checklist
▶ 1) Be specific with visual elemets
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A vague prompt like 'a futuristic city' may give you random results, while a specific one such as 'ultra-detailed futuristic Tokyo skyline at dusk, glowing neon signs in Japanese, wet reflective streets, cinematic lighting, 85mm lens, photorealistic' produces a targeted, controlled image. Specificity directs the AI's creative process and minimizes unwanted randomness.
▶ 2) Describe the scene composition
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Defining the scene's composition ensures that important elements are placed correctly. For example, 'wide shot of a lone samurai standing on a cliff edge, ocean waves crashing below, dramatic clouds overhead' tells the AI where to place the subject, background, and secondary elements. This prevents awkward or illogical placements.
▶ 3) Control lighting and atmosphere
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Lighting changes the mood dramatically. Instead of simply saying 'portrait of a woman,' specify 'soft diffused window light casting gentle shadows, warm golden hour tones' for a serene look or 'harsh top light creating deep dramatic shadows' for a moody effect. Lighting cues guide the AI toward cinematic realism.
▶ 4) Specify camera type and lens
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Referencing photography terminology like 'shot on 50mm lens' or 'aerial drone view' informs the AI about framing and perspective. This produces results that mimic real-world optics, adding depth and realism to the image or video.
▶ 5) Use time and weather for mood
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The time of day and weather conditions can transform a scene's feel. 'Rainy neon-lit Tokyo at night' creates a different atmosphere than 'sunny clear morning in Kyoto.' Leveraging these details makes outputs more emotionally engaging.
▶ 6) Incorporate style references
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Referencing specific art styles, famous photographers, or cinematic references can anchor the AI's visual direction. For example, 'in the style of Gregory Crewdson' or 'Wes Anderson color palette' guides color, composition, and overall tone.
▶ 7) Define material and texture details
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Texture makes images believable. Adding 'soft velvet fabric,' 'rough stone pavement,' or 'smooth chrome surface' ensures tactile realism in generated outputs. AI responds strongly to material descriptors.
▶ 8) Add motion cues for video
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For video generation, include movement details like 'slow cinematic tracking shot,' 'handheld shaky cam,' or 'smooth drone flyover.' Motion cues help AI tools generate more dynamic and intentional animations.
▶ 9) Specify subject pose and expression
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When generating humans or characters, define pose and facial expression to avoid awkward results. For example, 'woman leaning casually against a wall, soft smile, looking off-camera' gives far better results than just 'portrait of a woman.’
▶ 10) Set colour palette intetions
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Colour sets emotional tone. 'Muted earthy tones with soft highlights' produces a different mood than 'high-saturation pop colours.' Explicitly controlling palette prevents unexpected clashing tones.
▶ 11) Combine multiple descriptors strategically
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Balance key descriptors: subject, environment, style, lighting, mood. For example: 'Cyberpunk alleyway, lone figure with glowing umbrella, cinematic rain, teal-orange color grading, shot on 35mm lens.' Strategic layering ensures cohesive results.
▶ 12) Leverage native prompting
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Tell the AI what to avoid: 'no text, no watermark, no blurry elements.' Negative prompts help eliminate unwanted artifacts and irrelevant details.
▶ 13) Anchor in real world references
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Mention real-world locations, objects, or cultural elements. 'Santorini cliffs at sunset' or '1967 Ford Mustang' anchors the AI in familiar, recognizable details for authenticity.
▶ 14) Consider depth and foreground elements
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Including foreground interest like 'wildflowers in front of the lens' adds depth and immersion. AI-generated scenes feel more cinematic when layers are present.
▶ 15) Match output aspect ratio to intent
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Choosing the correct aspect ratio impacts framing. A 16:9 ratio suits cinematic video, while 1:1 works better for Instagram. Specify aspect ratio early to avoid awkward cropping.
▶ 16) Use storytelling prompts
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Describe a moment in a narrative, not just objects. Instead of 'a knight in armor,' say 'battle-worn knight kneeling under a stormy sky after a long fight, sword planted in the ground.' Storytelling drives emotional impact.
▶ 17) Reference technical specs for video
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When using video tools, include frame rate, resolution, or cinematic grading preferences. '4K 24fps cinematic slow-motion with natural film grain' will steer the AI toward professional-grade output.
▶ 18) Experiment and iterate
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Even advanced prompts can be improved. Test variations, tweak styles, and refine based on results. Iteration is key to mastering prompt craft.
▶ 19) Maintain a prompt library for reuse
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Save successful prompts for future adaptation. A personal prompt library speeds up workflow and ensures consistency across projects.
