Welcome to the exciting world of AI image generation! With tools like the Nano Banana AI generator, you can create breathtaking visuals from a simple line of text. But you might have noticed that the quality of your output depends heavily on the quality of your input. That input is called a "prompt."

Learning how to write prompts for AI is the single most important skill for a generative artist. This guide will teach you the fundamentals of prompt engineering to help you get the exact results you're looking for.

1. Be Specific and Detailed

The biggest mistake beginners make is being too vague. An AI can't read your mind, so you need to provide clear, descriptive text-to-image instructions. Instead of "a dog," try describing the dog.

• Vague: a dog
• Specific: A happy golden retriever puppy, sitting in a sunny field of grass, mouth open, tongue out.

2. Define the Style and Medium

Do you want a photograph, a painting, or a cartoon? Specifying the artistic style and medium is crucial for crafting AI prompts that match your vision.

• Prompt Example: "A banana-shaped spaceship," as a vintage sci-fi book cover illustration.
• Prompt Example: "A portrait of a queen," photorealistic, studio lighting.
• Prompt Example: "A cat on a roof," in the style of Vincent van Gogh.

3. Control the Composition and Lighting

Think like a photographer when writing your AI commands. Where is the subject? What is the lighting like? Use photographic terms to guide the AI.

• Composition Keywords: wide shot, close-up, portrait, landscape, from above, macro shot.
• Lighting Keywords: cinematic lighting, golden hour, soft light, neon, backlit, dramatic lighting.

Example: "A lone astronaut on a desolate Mars landscape, dramatic lighting from a single spotlight, wide shot."

4. Experiment and Iterate

Your first prompt won't always be perfect. A powerful way to learn is to reverse-engineer visuals you like. Use a tool like our Image to Prompt Generator to see how an AI would describe an existing image. This can teach you new keywords and phrasing.

You can also use the image-to-image feature on Nano Banana to refine an image you've already created. If you generate an image and the colors aren't right, you can use the image-to-image tool with a new prompt like, "make the color palette more vibrant and saturated."

Ready to Start Creating?

You now have the foundational knowledge of how to master prompt writing. The best way to learn is by doing. Head over to the Nano Banana AI generator, try out these techniques, and see what you can create! Happy generating!