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Prompting for Composition: Camera Angles, Framing & Focal Points

How to prompt for camera angles, framing & focal points in AI image generation.

Author

AI Art With Troy
June 16, 2025

Even the most beautiful subject can feel wrong if the image is poorly framed or awkwardly composed.

Three things you can add to image prompts to improve the composition of your AI art:

  • Camera angle.

  • Framing.

  • Focal point.

Mastering composition prompts will allow you to have more control of your AI-generated images.

If you haven’t yet, you’ll also want to revisit:

Now, let’s dive in!

Key Camera Angles

To control camera angles, you can incorporate these words into your image prompts.

They suggest camera position to the AI and help frame your subject.

1. Wide Shot

In a wide shot, subjects appear small in a large scene.

This type of shot is great for environmental storytelling.

Example words you can use:

  • Wide-angle shot

  • Expansive

  • Full scene

  • Panoramic

  • Ultra-wide angle

Side note: From my experience, ChatGPT doesn’t respond very well to these words. To create a real wide-angle shot, I recommend placing the emphasis of the scene. For example, use “a wide-angle shot of space with an astronaut…” instead of “a wide-angle shot of an astronaut in space.” 

However, in this example, I’ll continue to place the emphasis on the astronaut.

Wide shot of an astronaut on a spacewalk near a derelict spacecraft covered in glowing neon vines, with cosmic debris and nebulae in the background.

Prompt: “Wide shot of a photorealistic astronaut on a spacewalk near a derelict spacecraft overtaken by glowing neon vines. The wreckage floats in zero gravity, with debris scattered around and soft cosmic light revealing overgrown tech. Stars and nebulae in the background, cinematic composition.”
Generated with Sora by OpenAI.

Wide shot of a derelict spacecraft overtaken by glowing neon vines, with an astronaut spacewalking nearby in zero gravity. Scattered debris floats around the wreckage, illuminated by soft cosmic light with stars and nebulae in the background.

Prompt: “Wide shot of a derelict spacecraft overtaken by glowing neon vines with an astronauta spacewalking near it. The wreckage floats in zero gravity, with debris scattered around and soft cosmic light revealing overgrown tech. Stars and nebulae in the background, cinematic composition.”
Generated with Sora by OpenAI.

2. Medium Shot

Subject is framed from the waist up or mid-body in a medium shot.

It is ideal for character portraits + some background context.

Example words:

  • Medium shot

  • Waist-up portrait

Medium shot of an astronaut floating in space, examining glowing vines on the hull of a derelict spacecraft.

Prompt: “Medium shot of an astronaut examining glowing vines growing across the hull of a derelict spacecraft. Visible from the waist up, with soft green and purple light from the vines casting a glow on the suit. Background hints at stars and wreckage, photorealistic style.”
Generated with Sora by OpenAI.

3. Close-up

Subject is framed tightly, focusing on the face or a key detail.

This type of shot creates emotional connection and intimacy.

Example words you can use:

  • Close-up

  • Portrait

  • Detailed face

Close-up of an astronaut’s gloved hand touching glowing vines on a damaged spacecraft panel, with cosmic background softly blurred.

Prompt: “Close-up of a photorealistic astronaut’s gloved hand touching glowing vines wrapped around a cracked panel of a derelict spacecraft. High detail on vine textures, light reflections on the suit, and worn metallic surface. Cosmic background softly blurred.”
Generated with Sora by OpenAI.

4. Extreme Close-up

Captures a very small detail, such as eyes, hands, or texture.

It creates intense drama or emphasis on specific elements.

Example words you can use:

  • Extreme close-up

  • Macro view

  • Super close portrait

Extreme close-up of glowing bioluminescent vines growing through metallic seams, with astronaut’s fingers barely visible.

Prompt: “Extreme close-up of neon vines pulsing with bioluminescent light as they grow into the seams of old spacecraft metal. The astronaut’s fingers are just visible at the edge of frame, suit fabric detailed, subtle glow effects, stars in soft blur.”
Generated with Sora by OpenAI.

5. Bird’s-eye View

Camera looks straight down from above the scene.

This view emphasizes scale, layout, or isolation.

Example words you can use:

  • Bird’s-eye view

  • Top-down view

bird's-eye view of an astronaut floating beneath a massive derelict spacecraft wrapped in glowing vines, with the starfield above.

Prompt: “Bird's-eye view of a photorealistic astronaut floating beneath a massive derelict spacecraft covered in glowing vines. Light from the vines casts eerie shadows across the metallic wreck above, with the starfield stretching infinitely beyond. Photorealistic and atmospheric.”
Generated with Sora by OpenAI.

6. Worm’s-eye View

Camera is angled from below, looking up at the subject.

Creates a grand, imposing, or heroic feeling.

Example words you can use:

  • Worm’s-eye view

  • Low-angle shot

  • Heroic perspective

Worm’s-eye view of an astronaut floating beneath a massive derelict spacecraft wrapped in glowing vines, with the starfield above.

Prompt: “Worm’s-eye view of a photorealistic astronaut floating beneath a massive derelict spacecraft covered in glowing vines. Light from the vines casts eerie shadows across the metallic wreck above, with the starfield stretching infinitely beyond. Photorealistic and atmospheric.”
Generated with Sora by OpenAI.

Framing Terms

Framing words tell the AI how to place the subject in the frame.

Here are some common terms.

1. Centered Composition

Subject is placed directly in the center of the frame.

Creates a balanced, focused, and intentional visual feel.

Example words you can use:

  • Centered composition

  • Subject in center

Wide shot of an astronaut floating in the center of the frame near a derelict spacecraft overgrown with glowing neon vines, surrounded by stars and nebulae.

Prompt: “Photorealistic wide shot of an astronaut centered in the frame, floating near a derelict spacecraft covered in glowing neon vines. The astronaut is the clear focal point, framed by the decaying hull and drifting debris. Centered composition, cosmic background with stars and nebulae.”
Generated with Sora by OpenAI.

2. Rule of Thirds

Subject is positioned along one-third of the image, not centered.

This composition feels more natural and cinematic.

Example words you can use:

  • Rule of thirds composition

  • Off-center subject

Wide shot of an astronaut positioned to the left side of the frame, floating near a derelict spacecraft covered in glowing vines with stars in the cosmic background.

Prompt: “Photorealistic wide shot of an astronaut floating off-center to the left, near a derelict spacecraft overtaken by glowing neon vines. The ship stretches across the background with depth, stars scattered across space. Rule of thirds composition, cinematic and immersive.”
Generated with Sora by OpenAI.

3. Symmetrical Composition

Both sides of the image are visually balanced and mirrored.

Gives a calm, structured, and formal appearance.

Example words you can use:

  • Symmetrical composition

  • Perfectly balanced

Wide shot with a symmetrical layout of a derelict spacecraft covered in glowing vines and an astronaut floating directly in front, set against a cosmic backdrop.

Prompt: “Photorealistic wide shot of a derelict spacecraft framed symmetrically, with an astronaut floating directly in front of it. Glowing vines climb both sides of the wreckage evenly, creating visual balance. Symmetrical composition, dramatic lighting, cosmic space in the background.”
Generated with Sora by OpenAI.

4. Asymmetrical Composition

Elements are intentionally unbalanced to draw interest.

Creates a dynamic, energetic, and visually engaging layout.

Example words you can use:

  • Asymmetrical composition

  • Dynamic framing

Wide shot of an astronaut on the far left and a large derelict spacecraft with glowing vines dominating the right, creating a dynamic and unbalanced layout in space.

Prompt: “Photorealistic wide shot with an astronaut floating to the far left and the derelict spacecraft dominating the right side, tangled in glowing neon vines. Debris and light patterns create visual tension. Asymmetrical composition, dynamic framing, deep space setting.”
Generated with Sora by OpenAI.

5. Negative Space

This refers to empty or open space surrounds the subject to make an image feels minimalist, dramatic, or elegant depending on context.

Example words you can use:

  • Subject with negative space

  • Minimalist composition

Wide shot of an astronaut and derelict spacecraft occupying a small part of the frame, surrounded by vast, empty space with stars and nebulae in the distance.

Prompt: “Photorealistic wide shot of a lone astronaut floating near a derelict spacecraft wrapped in glowing vines, surrounded by vast, empty space. The spacecraft and astronaut occupy only a small portion of the frame. Subject with negative space, minimalist cosmic scene.”
Generated with Sora by OpenAI.

Focal Points

Focal points guide where the viewer’s eye lands first.

Try these terms in your next prompts.

1. Emphasizing the Subject

Use prompts that make the subject the clear visual focus.

Sharp detail on the subject draws the viewer’s eye first.

Example words you can use:

  • Focus on [subject]

  • Sharp focus on [subject]

Wide-angle view of a photorealistic astronaut in sharp focus, floating in space near a derelict spacecraft overgrown with glowing neon vines. The background features a slightly softened starfield and cosmic wreckage.

Prompt: “Wide-angle shot of a photorealistic astronaut floating in space near a derelict spacecraft overtaken by glowing neon vines. Sharp focus on the astronaut, with detailed textures on the suit and helmet. The background spacecraft and cosmic setting are slightly softened. Focus on astronaut.”
Generated with Sora by OpenAI.

2. Soft Background / Bokeh

The background is softly blurred to separate it from the subject.

Creates depth and highlights the main focus.

Example words you can use:

  • Soft background

  • Bokeh effect

  • Blurred background

Wide-angle shot of a photorealistic astronaut in crisp focus with a softly blurred background of a derelict spacecraft and glowing stars, creating a bokeh effect to highlight subject depth.

Prompt: “Wide-angle shot of a photorealistic astronaut floating in space near a derelict spacecraft covered in glowing neon vines. The background is softly blurred, creating a bokeh effect with stars and nebulae, enhancing subject separation. The astronaut is in crisp focus. Soft background, bokeh effect.”
Generated with Sora by OpenAI.

3. Light Contrast & Guiding the Eye

Lighting is used to make the subject stand out.

Bright highlights or spotlights can direct visual attention.

Example words you can use:

  • Subject illuminated

  • Spotlight on subject

  • Background in shadow

Wide-angle scene of an astronaut illuminated by glowing neon vines near a derelict spacecraft, with shadows falling over the starry background to guide the eye toward the subject.

Prompt: “Wide-angle shot of a photorealistic astronaut floating near a glowing, vine-covered derelict spacecraft. The astronaut is illuminated by glowing vines and soft rim lighting, while the background is in shadow, creating dramatic contrast and visual focus. Subject illuminated, background in shadow.”
Generated with Sora by OpenAI.

Final Thoughts

Many people get frustrated when their AI images look awkward or aren’t what they imagined.

The good news? This can often be fixed with just a few small tweaks.

By adding composition words to your prompts, you can make your images feel more intentional and visually controlled.

Try including:

  • A camera angle

  • A framing term

  • A focal point cue

So, next time you write a prompt, add one composition word + one focal point word and see how your results improve.

Your next great image is just one prompt away!

❝

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