Stable Diffusion is an AI system that generates images from text descriptions. The text descriptions are called prompts and they allow users to guide the AI in creating a desired image. Writing effective prompts is key to getting good results from Stable Diffusion.
There is an art to crafting prompts that clearly communicate what you want to see in the generated image. With practice, you can learn to write prompts that reliably produce quality images. This article will overview different categories of prompts, provide prompt examples, and share tips for writing better prompts.
What Makes a Good Prompt?
A good prompt clearly describes the desired image in concrete detail while avoiding ambiguity. Good prompts tell Stable Diffusion:
- The subject matter
- Artistic style
- Composition elements
- Lighting
- Other descriptive details
Effective prompts also take advantage of Stable Diffusion’s training to associate certain words and phrases with visual concepts. For example, “cinematic lighting” will produce a different look than “soft lighting.”
Pay attention to the structure of your prompt. Set the scene and subject first before describing styles. Use comma separation between elements. And emphasize the most important descriptive terms.
Categories of Prompts
There are endless possibilities for Stable Diffusion prompts, but most fall into a few major categories:
Photographic Prompts
These prompts describe realistic photographic images of people, animals, objects or scenes:
A beautiful young woman with long blonde hair blowing in the wind, portrait photo, soft lighting
Woman with long blonde hair
Artistic Style Prompts
These prompts generate images mimicking recognizable artistic styles:
oil painting by Rembrandt of a girl with a pearl earring
Girl with pearl earring in Rembrandt style
Conceptual Prompts
These prompts describe imaginative scenes that don’t exist in the real world:
astronauts exploring alien ruins on a distant planet, digital art
Astronauts exploring alien ruins
Text and Logo Prompts
These prompts generate just text or logos, with full control over fonts, colors, effects and more:
Perplexity AI logo, vibrant colors, shining neon sign
Perplexity AI logo as vibrant shining neon sign
Tips for Writing Better Prompts
Here are some tips to improve your prompts:
Be Specific
Provide lots of visual details in your prompt. For example, “a woman with long blonde hair” is less specific than “a beautiful young woman with waist-length golden blonde hair blowing wildly in the wind.”
Use Style and Lighting Cues
Include descriptors like “cinematic lighting” or “impressionist style” to steer the style and mood.
Limit Subjects
Try to describe just one or two central subjects. Too many subjects often results in a confusing image.
Use Structure
Set the scene first, then the subject, followed by descriptive details. Use commas to separate elements.
Emphasize Key Elements
Put the most important descriptive terms near the beginning of the prompt and bold or capitalize them.
Check Associations
Review the image results to see if certain terms produce unintended results, and refine the wording.
Common Prompt Mistakes to Avoid
While writing prompts for Stable Diffusion, keep in mind these common mistakes:
- Using too many subjects or details resulting in a cluttered image
- Not emphasizing the most important visual details
- Failing to set a clear artistic style expectation
- Depending too much on Stable Diffusion associations rather than specifics
- Including spurious descriptive details that don’t contribute to the desired image
Take the time to craft your prompts carefully. Proofread prompts before generating images. And don’t hesitate to iterate to improve prompt results.
Useful Websites for Stable Diffusion Prompts
Here are some helpful websites for finding and sharing Stable Diffusion prompts:
- Lexica – Popular public prompt collection
- Krea – Prompt database with search
- PromptHero – Curated prompts for Stable Diffusion
- Stable Diffusion Subreddit – Tips and prompts from the SD community
- Stable Diffusion Discord – Help and inspiration from fellow users
Conclusion
With the right prompts, Stable Diffusion can produce amazing images limited only by your imagination. Start experimenting with these prompt writing tips and examples. Check prompt websites when you need some fresh inspiration. And don’t be afraid to iterate on your prompts to improve your results. The key is providing clear, detailed instructions to the AI through well-structured prompts emphasizing the most important visual qualities you want.