The photographer's vocabulary for AI image generation. Focal length, aperture, lighting setups, and composition rules that transform generic AI images into stunning visuals.
AI image models were trained on millions of photographs with EXIF data, photographer descriptions, and technical metadata. When you use photography terminology in your prompts, you tap into this learned knowledge to produce more intentional, professional-looking results.
Specifying a lens focal length dramatically changes the look:
| Focal Length | Look | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 14-24mm (ultra-wide) | Dramatic distortion, vast scenes | Landscapes, architecture, interiors |
| 35mm | Natural perspective, slight context | Street photography, environmental portraits |
| 50mm | Close to human eye, neutral | General purpose, product shots |
| 85mm | Flattering compression, creamy bokeh | Portraits, headshots |
| 135mm | Strong compression, very shallow DOF | Beauty, fashion, isolated subjects |
| 200mm+ (telephoto) | Extreme compression, flattened perspective | Wildlife, sports, compressed landscapes |
Prompt example:
Portrait of a woman, shot on 85mm f/1.4 lens, shallow depth of field, creamy bokeh background
| Aperture | Effect | Prompt Term |
|---|---|---|
| f/1.2 - f/2.0 | Extremely shallow DOF, dreamy bokeh | "wide open", "creamy bokeh", "subject isolation" |
| f/2.8 - f/4 | Subject sharp, background soft | "shallow depth of field" |
| f/5.6 - f/8 | Most of scene sharp | "moderate depth of field" |
| f/11 - f/16 | Everything sharp, front to back | "deep focus", "everything in focus" |
Lighting is the single biggest factor in image quality:
| Setup | Description | Prompt Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Golden hour | Warm, low-angle sun, long shadows | "golden hour lighting", "warm sunset light" |
| Blue hour | Cool twilight, ambient glow | "blue hour", "twilight", "dusk" |
| Overcast | Soft, even, no harsh shadows | "overcast sky", "soft diffused light" |
| Backlighting | Light behind subject, rim glow | "backlit", "rim lighting", "halo effect" |
| Window light | Directional soft light from one side | "window light", "natural side lighting" |
| Setup | Description | Prompt Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Rembrandt | Triangle of light on shadowed cheek | "Rembrandt lighting", "dramatic side light" |
| Butterfly | Light above, shadow under nose | "butterfly lighting", "paramount lighting" |
| Split | Half face lit, half in shadow | "split lighting", "half-shadow" |
| Rim/Edge | Light from behind outlining subject | "rim light", "edge lighting", "backlit outline" |
| High key | Bright, minimal shadows | "high-key lighting", "bright and airy" |
| Low key | Dark, dramatic shadows | "low-key lighting", "moody dramatic" |
Subject positioned at one-third intersection, not centered
Road, path, or architectural lines drawing the eye to the subject
Subject framed by doorway, window, arch, or natural elements
Perfect bilateral symmetry, centered subject, architectural precision
Subject small in frame, surrounded by empty space, minimalist
| Term | Effect |
|---|---|
| Teal and orange | Hollywood color grading, complementary contrast |
| Desaturated | Muted colors, editorial feel |
| Cross-processed | Shifted colors, vintage film look |
| Film grain | Texture, analog feel, nostalgia |
| HDR | Extended dynamic range, vivid detail |
| Matte finish | Lifted blacks, faded look |
| Cinematic color grading | Professional color science, mood-driven |
A portrait of a man in a city
Environmental portrait of a man in his 30s standing at a rain-soaked Tokyo intersection at night, shot on 35mm f/1.8, shallow depth of field, neon signs creating bokeh in the background, mixed lighting — warm sodium street lights and cool blue neon, slight film grain, teal and orange color grading, Fujifilm Pro 400H look
The difference isn't just quality — it's intentionality. You're directing the image, not hoping for the best.
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