How to write an effective prompt

Earlier today, we launched a state-of-the-art image generation and editing model, available in the Gemini app, AI Studio and Vertex AI. This update introduces significant advancements in character consistency; precise, conversational editing; and the ability to combine photos into a completely new creation. To help you get the most out of this update, here are some tips for writing more effective prompts for image generation and editing in Gemini.

Key capabilities of image generation in Gemini

Before you dive in, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with what’s been improved in Gemini, so you can consider which use cases to try with it:

1. Consistent character design. Preserve a character or object’s appearance across multiple generations and edits.
2. Creative composition. Blend disparate elements, subjects and styles from multiple concepts into a single, unified image.
3. Local edits. Make precise edits to specific parts of an image using simple language.
4. Design and appearance adaptation. Apply a style, texture or design from one concept to another.
5. Logic and reasoning. Use real-world understanding to generate complex scenes or predict the next step in a sequence.

6 elements of constructing effective prompts

You can get great results with Gemini from simple one or two-sentence inputs. However, to achieve the best results and unlock more nuanced creative control, consider including the following elements in your prompt:

• Subject: Who or what is in the image? Be specific. (e.g., a stoic robot barista with glowing blue optics; a fluffy calico cat wearing a tiny wizard hat).
• Composition: How is the shot framed? (e.g., extreme close-up, wide shot, low angle shot, portrait).
• Action: What is happening? (e.g., brewing a cup of coffee, casting a magical spell, mid-stride running through a field).
• Location: Where does the scene take place? (e.g., a futuristic cafe on Mars, a cluttered alchemist’s library, a sun-drenched meadow at golden hour).
• Style: What is the overall aesthetic? (e.g., 3D animation, film noir, watercolor painting, photorealistic, 1990s product photography).
• Editing Instructions: For modifying an existing image, be direct and specific. (e.g., change the man’s tie to green, remove the car in the background).

Prompting examples: A showcase of creative techniques

Different prompting strategies can unlock everything from photorealistic edits to fantastical new worlds. Here are five techniques to try, each with a key example.

1. Preserve characters’ appearances.

Gemini can maintain the likeness of a person or character across different poses, lighting and environments, and even apply the same character to new styles and surfaces. Here’s an example of how one character can be used across multiple prompts in the same session:

• Prompt 1: A whimsical illustration of a tiny, glowing mushroom sprite. The sprite has a large, bioluminescent mushroom cap for a hat, wide, curious eyes, and a body made of woven vines.
• Prompt 2 (in the same conversation): Now, show the same sprite riding on the back of a friendly, moss-covered snail through a sunny meadow full of colorful wildflowers.