Artificial intelligence has transformed the way we create and work, especially with generative AI tools. But to get the most out of these technologies, it is essential to know how to write professional and assertive AI prompts. This will be the basis for mastering your creation with AI.

A prompt is nothing more than a command you give to AI tools to generate a specific result. This instruction can be in text format, with descriptions of the expected outcome, or by using an image or video as a reference.

Writing professional prompts not only saves time but also ensures more precise and creative results. Using AI tools expands your creative possibilities, and a good prompt helps you explore these paths assertively.

In this article, we will discuss best practices, examples, and tools for creating prompts that really work.

What are AI prompts?

An AI prompt is a message that guides the tools on what you want to create or know. When you ask something to ChatGPT or request Midjourney to create an image, these two examples of commands are prompts.

It can be a simple sentence, like "Image of a man in an office,” or a complete instruction with details about the elements that comprise that image. The more specific the prompt, the better the generated result will be.

How to write AI prompts?

Creating an effective prompt follows a simple logic and structure; the secret lies in knowing how to put them into practice. The process begins with basic elements:

1. Clear objective: define what you want the AI to produce.

2. Context: provide additional information to guide the creation.

3. Detailing: use specific terms to describe the elements of the image.

To better understand, see an example of how to improve the prompt we used in the previous section: “Hyper-realistic photograph of a 30-year-old man wearing a dark blue suit, sitting at his workplace desk in a corporate office with a computer and a cup of coffee in front of him, the man is looking at the computer screen with a slight smile on his face.”

Notice how, even in your own mind, it is easier to imagine the image with this detailed prompt than with the generic prompt we created earlier.

And you can go further, including terms to describe even more the attributes of the image. How is the lighting of the photo? Is the office modern and technological or old and retro? What camera was used to take the photo? Was it taken with a wide angle or a closer crop of the model?

The context and detailing of the prompt depend on the goal you want to achieve.

Tips to improve your prompts

AI tools do not always deliver the desired result on the first try. Therefore, it is important to understand the structure of the prompt to know how to supplement the instructions.

1. Adapt and add information to the prompt

A big mistake when writing AI prompts is thinking you need to rewrite the entire text when you cannot generate the image as you would like. In fact, after the first attempt, the process becomes simpler and simpler.

After generating the first versions of your image, pay attention to what is missing or what did not turn out as described. In the case of the first situation, just include in the prompt the details that were left out and generate the images again.

In the second situation, it could be that the AI tool prioritized certain information from the prompt less. In that case, try to describe that element or something that refers to it in more detail. 

For example, if you are trying to generate a full-body photo but the tool is only delivering close-ups, describe the shoes the model is wearing; this helps the AI understand that it needs to generate the model's feet as well.

2. Use strategic keywords

When writing a prompt for AI, be specific. The same description can have multiple different interpretations; therefore, keywords make a significant difference in the outcome.

When you are formulating the prompt, write concisely but with complete meaning. For example, instead of asking for a photo with a wider angle that shows more of the environment, ask for a photo taken with a wide-angle lens. If you want to be more specific, include the focal length of the lens used.

3. Indicate references to exemplify

Generative AI is capable of understanding and creating images based on existing references. You can create an outfit with a minimalist style, an environment with mid-century modern decor, or a photo in the style of Wes Anderson.

Using keywords like minimalist, mid-century modern, and Wes Anderson helps the AI tool grasp the elements of those styles to create your image.

An extra tip is to use images as references as well. In Midjourney, for example, you can add images to the prompt and use them as a reference for style, character, or composition. But remember to be cautious in using references to avoid plagiarizing a work or artist.

Tools for creating effective prompts

Understanding the logic behind the structure of the prompt is fundamental; only then can you truly master the creation of an assertive prompt. However, there are tools that can simplify the process and also help you evolve your prompt writing.

1. ChatGPT

ChatGPT, in addition to answering all your questions, can be used to enhance or create prompts from scratch. You can request suggestions to optimize your already written prompts or input a reference image and ask it to create a prompt to generate that image.

For this second option, you need to be logged into your ChatGPT account.

Here, we asked ChatGPT: write a detailed description of this photo to use the text as a prompt for generating the image in AI tools.

2. Joy Caption Pre Alpha

Another tool that also generates descriptions based on a reference image is Joy Caption Pre Alpha from the company Hugging Face.

This tool does not require an account; just access the page, insert the reference image, and generate the description that will be used as a prompt.

3. Midjourney and Visual Electric

The AI tools for creating images can also help you write assertive prompts. Midjourney and Visual Electric, for example, have a tab with images created by users and their respective prompts.

By clicking on the images, the prompt used to generate that image appears beside it. Thus, it is possible to understand which attributes led to that result.

Enhance prompts to transform your results

Mastering the art of writing AI prompts is a fundamental differentiator in the current landscape of artificial intelligence. As we have seen, assertiveness and clarity in your instructions are the key to unlocking the maximum potential of generative AI tools, transforming ideas into precise and creative results.

By applying the tips and techniques we discussed here, from defining a clear objective and providing context to strategically using keywords and visual references, you will be on the right path to optimizing your interaction with AI. 

Remember that practice leads to perfection: try, adapt, and refine your prompts continuously. AI tools are constantly evolving, and your ability to communicate effectively with them will be an increasingly valuable asset for boosting your productivity and innovation.

Now that you know how the logic behind a professional prompt works, it is time to put it into practice.