- Prompt Club
- Posts
- Understanding the Anatomy of a Perfect AI Image Prompt
Understanding the Anatomy of a Perfect AI Image Prompt
How to structure image prompts that deliver exactly what you want.
AI Art With Troy
June 11, 2025
AI image generators are a huge time-saver for artists and creatives. No matter which tool you’re using, one thing’s always true:
👉 Your results are only as good as the prompt you use.
A simple one-line prompt gives you a random image. But a carefully structured, layered prompt gives you stunning, gallery-worthy visuals.
Prompting is an art in itself.
Learning how to structure a great image prompt can help take your results from "meh" to "wow."
In this post, we’ll break down the anatomy of an effective AI image prompt.
What components to include, how to structure them, and common pitfalls to avoid.
If you want to take creative control and generate consistent, high-quality images, this guide is for you.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
What Makes a “Perfect” AI Image Prompt?
First, let’s be clear.
There’s no single "perfect" AI image prompt. It depends entirely on what you want to create.
But there is such a thing as a well-structured prompt that consistently delivers images aligned with your creative vision.
That’s what I mean by “perfect” (not flawless), but fit-for-purpose and intentional.
How AI models interpret prompts
Different models have different strengths:
Midjourney loves rich, layered prompts with lots of style cues and detail.
4o Image (ChatGPT, Sora) responds well to clear scene descriptions and simple compositions.
Krea, Leonardo, and similar tools combine both approaches, and some support reference images alongside text.
[Side note: more on this in another post].
Across all of them, the anatomy of a great image prompt is surprisingly consistent.
The goal: Balance control and creative freedom
A poor prompt gives the AI too little or too much.
Too little: vague, random images.
Too much: cluttered, conflicting outputs.
A great prompt does this:
Defines a clear subject.
Sets a compelling scene.
Guides the style and mood.
Adds selective detail for richness.
Specifies composition and lighting.
Leaves room for the AI to surprise you, within intentional boundaries.
Think of it like being an art director.
You’re giving your AI model a creative brief. The more thoughtfully you craft it, the better your visual outcome will be.
The Core Components of an AI Image Prompt
The most beautiful AI-generated images don’t happen by accident.
They come from prompts that give the model just enough guidance without smothering creativity.
Here are the key components to include when crafting a perfect AI image prompt:
1. Subject (the main focus of the image)
This is what your image is about, the core thing you want the viewer to see first.
Examples:
Astronaut on a distant planet.
Elegant perfume bottle on marble surface.
Futuristic samurai standing in the rain.
💡 Tip: The more specific the subject, the stronger your result.
2. Context / Scene (where, when, how it takes place)
Scene-setting is what gives your image depth and meaning.
Examples:
Enchanted forest at dawn.
Cyberpunk city street at night.
Ancient library filled with glowing runes.
💡 Tip: Without scene context, many models will default to studio-like images or add random environments.
3. Style / Art Direction (visual style references)
This is where you define how the image should look. Style and aesthetics are critical in AI art.
Examples:
Watercolor illustration.
Cinematic lighting, hyperrealistic.
Studio Ghibli-inspired.
80s retro sci-fi poster.
💡 Tip: You can mix styles, but avoid too many conflicting ones.
4. Color Palette (dominant tones, mood)
Color greatly impacts visual mood and atmosphere.
Examples:
Pastel color palette.
Dark and moody, deep reds and blacks.
Golden hour lighting with warm tones.
💡 Tip: Many models (Midjourney especially) respond very well to explicit color cues.
5. Lighting (type, direction, atmosphere)
Lighting is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, parts of a prompt — it defines visual drama and focus.
Examples:
Soft rim lighting.
Harsh spotlight from above.
Foggy diffused backlight.
Cinematic lighting with lens flares.
💡 Tip: If your images look flat, adding a clear lighting description almost always improves them.
6. Composition & Perspective (how the subject is framed)
This guides where the subject is placed and how the viewer sees the scene.
Examples:
Wide-angle landscape shot.
Centered portrait, close-up.
Overhead view.
Distant tiny subject in a vast scene.
💡 Tip: Without this, the AI will guess — sometimes well, sometimes not.
7. Detail & Texture (extra elements that add richness)
Small, intentional details make your image feel complete and believable.
Examples:
Floating embers in the air.
Raindrops on glass.
Intricate lace patterns.
Falling cherry blossom petals.
💡 Tip: Add only 2-4 key details. Too many creates visual clutter.
8. Constraints (what to avoid)
Sometimes it’s just as important to say what you don’t want.
Examples:
No text.
Exclude modern buildings.
No logos or brands.
💡 Tip: Use constraints when the model tends to default to undesired elements.
9. Aspect Ratio / Format (image size and shape)
Define this so you don’t waste outputs in the wrong format.
Examples:
Vertical 9:16 — for Instagram Reels or TikTok.
Square 1:1 — for profile posts or NFTs.
Horizontal 16:9 — for YouTube thumbnails or blog headers.
💡 Tip: Different aspect ratios change image composition. Always specify it if you care about framing.
When you consciously build prompts using these components, your images become:
More controlled.
More creative.
More consistent.
More aligned with your original vision.
Structuring Your Image Prompt
Let’s walk through step-by-step to see how layering a prompt changes results.
Scenario:
I want to generate an image of an astronaut in a forest and look for a dreamy, artistic scene using ChatGPT.
Step 1: Subject
"Astronaut in a forest."
Image generated with ChatGPT.
Step 2: Add Context / Scene
"Astronaut standing in an enchanted forest at dawn."
Image generated with ChatGPT.
Step 3: Add Style & Color Palette
"Astronaut standing in an enchanted forest at dawn. Style: cinematic, dreamy, surreal. Color palette: soft pastels with pink and gold hues."
Image generated with ChatGPT.
Step 4: Add Lighting & Composition
"Astronaut standing in an enchanted forest at dawn. Style: cinematic, dreamy surreal. Color palette: soft pastels with pink and gold hues. Lighting: soft rim lighting with subtle god rays through the trees. Composition: overhead view with wide-angle background."
Image generated with ChatGPT.
Step 5: Add Detail & Constraints & Aspect Ratio
AI will choose the aspect ratio that it finds fits your image. But I want it square.
"Astronaut standing in an enchanted forest at dawn. Style: cinematic, dreamy surreal. Color palette: soft pastels with pink and gold hues. Lighting: soft rim lighting with subtle god rays through the trees. Composition: centered close-up portrait with wide-angle background. Add floating fireflies and sparkles around the astronaut. Exclude text or logos. Aspect ratio: square."
Image generated with ChatGPT.
You can write prompts like this in one sentence or as a structured list.
Most models handle both well.
Use whichever style helps YOU think clearly.
Remember:
You can refine ONE layer at a time: scene → style → lighting → composition → detail → constraints.
Iterate and test, even a great prompt improves with a few variations.
💡 Final Tips:
・AI will try to include what you tell it and guess anything you leave vague.
・The more intentionally you guide it, the more beautiful and aligned your results will be.
・AI sometimes makes mistakes. Be patient!
Final Thoughts
Mastering the anatomy of a perfect AI image prompt isn’t about chasing perfection — it’s about learning how to communicate your creative vision clearly to the model.
When you understand how to layer a prompt:
Subject
Scene & context
Style & color
Lighting & composition
Key details & constraints
Aspect ratio
You gain creative control. Your results become more intentional, more consistent, and more aligned with what you imagined.
And remember: no prompt is ever truly "final."
The best images often come after a few thoughtful iterations:
Tweak one layer at a time.
Study your results.
Refine and repeat.
Prompting is a creative practice. The more you do it, the sharper your instincts become.
So next time you face the blank prompt box, don’t stress — just start building your image one layer at a time. You’ll be amazed at what you can create.
Want more tips like this? Subscribe to AI Art with Troy — and keep your creative edge sharp.
Reply