Begin with the job
Before adding style words, decide what the image must accomplish. A thumbnail needs an immediate focal point; a product image needs truthful material cues; a story frame needs a readable moment. Write that job in one sentence and use it to judge every detail that follows.
Build the scene in layers
Describe the subject first, then its action, environment, composition, light, palette, materials, and camera character. Layering creates a prompt that is easy to revise because you can change one decision without rewriting the entire idea.
Use references as attributes
Instead of asking for a copy of a person or artwork, name the qualities you need: a low horizon, pearlescent highlights, hard noon shadows, a restrained grid, or a hand-cut paper texture. This gives the model direction while keeping your result more original.
End with review criteria
List the details that must be correct and the artifacts that must not appear. Check anatomy, spelling, logos, repeated objects, reflections, and background clutter. A prompt is only the beginning; human review makes the image publishable.
