How should I write image description prompts?
Effective prompts follow a structured formula: [Environment/Background] + [Mood/Atmosphere] + [Lighting] + [Color Palette] + [Style]. Be specific, concise (2-3 sentences), and visually descriptive.
Overview
Prompt quality is the single most influential factor determining generation success. Well-crafted prompts produce usable images in 1-2 attempts, while vague or poorly structured prompts waste credits through multiple regenerations. Mastering prompt writing transforms GRYYD from a trial-and-error tool into a predictable, efficient creative system.
Proven Prompt Formula
Optimal Structure: ``` [Background/Environment] + [Mood/Atmosphere] + [Lighting] + [Color Palette] + [Style Keywords] ```
This formula provides AI with comprehensive creative direction while remaining concise. Each component addresses a specific visual dimension, ensuring nothing is left to random interpretation.
Formula in Action:
Example 1 - E-commerce Product: ``` Clean white studio background, professional and trustworthy mood, soft even lighting from front, neutral tones with product color accents, minimalist commercial photography style ``` Result: Amazon/e-commerce ready product images with clean, distraction-free presentation
Example 2 - Instagram Lifestyle: ``` Cozy café interior with wooden table and plants, warm inviting atmosphere, natural window light from left side, earth tones with warm browns and greens, candid lifestyle photography aesthetic ``` Result: Instagram-friendly lifestyle shots showing product in relatable context
Example 3 - Luxury Editorial: ``` Dark moody abstract background with subtle texture, sophisticated luxurious feel, dramatic side lighting with strong shadows, rich jewel tones of deep blue and gold, high-end fashion editorial style ``` Result: Premium, magazine-quality images emphasizing exclusivity and craftsmanship
Component Breakdown
1. Background/Environment: Be specific (e.g., "White seamless studio," "Rustic wooden table," "Abstract teal gradient"). Avoid vague terms like "nice background."
2. Mood/Atmosphere: Professional (trustworthy, polished), Lifestyle (cozy, inviting), Luxury (sophisticated, elegant), Energetic (playful, vibrant), Natural (earthy, serene)
3. Lighting: "Soft diffused from above" (even), "Golden hour backlight" (romantic), "Bright natural daylight" (fresh), "Dramatic side lighting" (editorial), "Studio strobe" (commercial)
4. Color Palette: Warm (orange, peach, cream), Cool (blue, teal, gray), Neutral (white, beige), Vibrant (hot pink, electric blue), Desaturated (muted, sophisticated)
5. Style Keywords: "Commercial product photography," "Lifestyle photography," "Editorial fashion," "Flat lay," "Minimalist Scandinavian," "Vintage film"
Length & Specificity
Optimal: 2-3 sentences (30-60 words). Too short (<20 words) lacks direction. Too long (>80 words) dilutes focus.
Specificity Examples:
- ✅ "Soft natural window lighting" | ❌ "Lighting at exactly 45° with 2000K temperature"
- ✅ "Warm earth tones: brown, cream, olive" | ❌ "Pantone 448C, RGB(74,65,42)"
Actionable vs Non-Actionable:
- ✅ "Soft bokeh blur," "Product in left third," "Golden hour lighting"
- ❌ "Feel expensive" → Use: "Sophisticated dark background, dramatic lighting, rich tones"
Common Mistakes
❌ Too complex: "Red background with blue accents and yellow highlights..." → ✅ "Gradient red to burgundy, warm tones" ❌ Contradictory: "Bright energetic lighting with dark moody atmosphere" → ✅ Choose one direction ❌ Technical jargon: "85mm f/1.4, ISO 400" → ✅ "Shallow depth of field, blurred background" ❌ Vague quality: "Look expensive" → ✅ "Luxury editorial, dark background, dramatic lighting, rich tones"
Pro Features (Pro/Max)
AI Prompt Suggestions: Real-time autocomplete suggestions as you type to improve specificity and structure
Prompt Template Library: Save successful prompts as reusable templates (e.g., "E-commerce Clean White," "Holiday Cozy Aesthetic")
Refinement Workflow
Gen 1 (Exploratory): "Wooden table, natural warm lighting, cozy atmosphere" Analyze: Adjust lighting, composition, or mood based on results Gen 2 (Refined): Add specifics: "Rustic farmhouse table with grain, soft window light from left, earth tones, lifestyle aesthetic" Gen 3 (Polished): Use best image as reference + refined prompt
Pro Tip: Build a prompt library categorized by use case (E-commerce, Lifestyle, Seasonal, Luxury). Reuse proven formulas to reduce trial-and-error.
See also: Unsatisfied Results | Draft Workflow | Variation Options | AI Chat Editing
Related Questions
What should I do if I'm not satisfied with the generated results?
Regenerate with same settings, modify prompt/settings and retry, use specific images as style references, or refine via AI chat editing. Multiple strategies help achieve desired results.
What is the draft creation workflow?
Drafts follow a 6-step workflow: Setup, Generating, Selection, AI Editing, Overlays (coming soon), and Download. Progress is automatically saved.
What is the "What to vary?" option?
"What to vary" controls which elements differ across variations. Options: Composition (product placement), Lighting (shadows/highlights), Perspective (camera angle), Background (environment), Mood (emotional tone), Color Palette (color scheme).
How does AI chat editing work?
AI chat editing enables natural language image modifications for Pro/Max users. Request changes conversationally, track edit history, and revert versions—up to 10 edits per image.