Prompt Engineering

Last updated: November 2026 · 4 min read

A generation model responds to the text and settings you provide, but results vary. These general techniques can help make an idea clearer and easier to refine.

Anatomy of a production prompt

There is no single prompt format that works for every model. These elements can be useful starting points; use the controls available for your selected tool.

1. Subject who or what is in frame. Be specific: not "a dog" but "a grey whippet wearing a tiny astronaut helmet".
2. Style & medium the visual language: film photograph, watercolor illustration, stylized 3D render, graphic novel illustration.
3. Composition & camera framing and lens language: extreme close-up, aerial drone shot, shallow depth of field, rule of thirds.
4. Lighting & mood golden hour backlight, neon rim lighting, soft overcast, moody chiaroscuro.

Subject: a grey whippet wearing a tiny astronaut helmet
Style: 35mm film photograph, Kodak Portra tones
Composition: low-angle medium shot, shallow depth of field
Lighting: golden hour backlight, warm haze

Negative prompts

If the selected tool supports negative prompts, use them to describe elements you want to avoid. Their effect varies by model; they cannot guarantee the absence of an unwanted feature.

blurry, low quality, extra limbs, watermark, text, oversaturated

Seeds and reproducibility

Some workflows expose a seed or similar repeatability setting. Reusing the same setting does not guarantee an identical result, especially when models or other generation parameters change. Check the controls available for the selected tool.

Aspect ratios

Choose an aspect ratio supported by the selected tool when you create your request. Available ratios and output dimensions can vary.

Iterating efficiently

• Change one thing at a time. If you rewrite the entire prompt, you cannot tell which edit caused the change.
• Check the credit cost. Cost may vary with the selected tool, model, and parameters; review it before submitting.
• Keep useful notes. Where your account shows prompt or task history, use it to learn from prior attempts.
• Follow the content rules. Review the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy before submitting content.

For motion-specific prompt language camera moves, motion scale, shot timing continue to the Text to Video guide.