The quality of an AI-generated image depends more on the prompt than on the model itself. With the right structure, even free tools can produce surprisingly photorealistic results. With a vague prompt, even the most expensive model will deliver something generic.
The prompts below were structured and tested to work well in Midjourney v6, Stable Diffusion XL, and DALL-E 3. Adapt the main subject and keep the structure.
The structure of a good realistic prompt
Every effective prompt for realistic images follows a hierarchy of information: subject + context + lighting + camera/lens + technical finish. Each layer adds specificity and reduces the model's "guesswork" — which, paradoxically, produces more convincing results.
💡 Tip: For Midjourney, add --ar 3:2 --v 6 to the end of any prompt for a standard photographic ratio. For Stable Diffusion, prefer models like Realistic Vision or DreamShaper for more photorealistic results.
The 10 prompts
1. Female portrait with natural light
Portrait of a 30-year-old Brazilian woman, natural window light from the left, shallow depth of field, Sony A7IV 85mm f/1.8, soft skin texture, editorial photography style, muted warm tones
The secret is specifying the camera and lens. This forces the model to simulate the real optical characteristics of each piece of gear — the compression of an 85mm, the aperture that creates bokeh, Sony's characteristic color.
2. Product in a minimalist studio
Commercial product photography, dark glass perfume bottle on a white marble surface, studio lighting with soft box, reflection on surface, isolated on white background, high-end luxury brand aesthetic, 8K detail
Ideal for e-commerce. Mentioning luxury brand aesthetic and 8K detail steers the model toward a premium finish.
3. Night urban architecture
Night street photography, São Paulo downtown, neon reflections on wet pavement, long exposure effect, Fujifilm X-T5, cinematic grain, blue and orange color palette, documentary style
4. Ultra-detailed macro nature
Macro photography of a dewdrop on a green leaf, morning light, extreme close-up, Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens, water droplet refracting the background forest, vivid natural colors, National Geographic style
5. Food for social media
Flat lay food photography, açaí bowl with granola and tropical fruits on a dark wooden table, overhead shot, natural soft light, Instagram aesthetic, earthy tones, professional food stylist composition
6. Sunset landscape
Golden hour landscape, Chapada dos Veadeiros, Brazil, vast cerrado savanna, dramatic sky with orange and purple clouds, wide angle 16mm lens, high dynamic range, photojournalism quality
7. Editorial male portrait
Editorial portrait of a 45-year-old man, salt and pepper beard, confident expression, dark studio background, dramatic Rembrandt lighting, Hasselblad medium format, sharp focus on eyes, fashion magazine cover quality
8. Modern office interior
Architectural interior photography, modern coworking space, floor-to-ceiling windows, morning light, plants and wood accents, wide angle tilt-shift lens, real estate photography style, clean and airy atmosphere
9. Wildlife in its natural habitat
Wildlife photography, jaguar resting on a tree branch in the Amazon rainforest, dappled sunlight through leaves, telephoto 500mm lens, shallow depth of field, BBC Earth documentary quality, golden eyes sharp focus
10. Documentary street scene
Street documentary photography, Feira de São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro, candid moment, elderly vendor selling typical food, black and white with slight grain, Leica Q2 28mm, Henri Cartier-Bresson compositional style
💡 Tip: After generating the image, use ImageTools' Image Compressor to optimize the file for the web without losing the visual quality of the result.
Modifiers that always improve realism
Some terms act as quality amplifiers in almost any prompt. Add them as needed: shot on film, photorealistic, hyperdetailed, professional photography, award-winning photo, 8K resolution, cinematic lighting.
Avoid generic terms like "beautiful" or "amazing" — they don't add any technical information for the model. Instead, describe what you want to see with visual precision.
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