Guide 01 · Realism

Realism cheat-sheet

Small wording changes completely change how real a face looks, how skin reacts to light, and whether an image looks shot on a real camera or made by AI. These are the small, powerful phrases that push models toward true photographic realism, especially when generating people. Keep the keywords in English, since that is what performs best inside the models, and add your context in either language.

01Core realism triggers

Always include a few. This is your base, so the model knows you want maximum realism. If you don’t specify, it has to guess.

photorealisticreal-world photographycinematic realismlifelike detailsnatural imperfectionstrue-to-life texturesrealistic skin / materials / surfaces

Base example

ultra-realistic cinematic photography with natural imperfections

02Camera and lens

These words tell the model it is a photograph, not a rendered image. This is where the difference is made.

Camera language

DSLR photographymirrorless cameracinematic film stilldocumentary-style photographystreet photographystudio portrait photography

Lens and optics

35mm lensmost natural50mm lenseye perspective85mm portrait lensfor facesshallow depth of fieldnatural bokehrealistic focal length

Example

shot on a 35mm lens, shallow depth of field, natural bokeh

03Lighting

Avoid fantasy lighting and use real lighting terms. “Natural light” is the most-used realism phrase: it shows every detail and flaw the way we see the world every day.

natural lightsoft window lightgolden hour sunlightovercast daylightpractical lightingstudio softbox lightingsubtle rim lightrealistic shadows

Avoid

neon glowmagical lightfantasy lighting

Example

soft natural daylight with realistic shadows

04Texture and detail

This prevents the plastic look. Imperfections are the key: models push skin toward plastic perfection unless you stop them, and small flaws lift realism to another level.

high-detail texturesrealistic surface detailvisible poresfabric grainskin micro-detailsdust, scratches, wearslight imperfectionstactile materials

Example

visible skin pores, natural fabric grain, slight imperfections

05Colour and tone

Realism means restraint. Use controlled, photographic colour language.

natural color gradingmuted tonesearthy color palettecinematic color balancerealistic contrastsoft highlights, deep shadows

Avoid

hyper-saturatedneoncartoon colors

06Composition

Think like a photographer.

rule of thirdseye-level shotcandid momentunstaged compositionnatural framingforeground / background separation

07Grain and image quality

The last 10%. It makes the image feel captured, not generated.

subtle film graincinematic grainhigh dynamic range (HDR)lightlysharp focusclean but not overly polished

08Negative words

Not getting the result you want? Add negatives to protect the realism.

no cartoon styleno CGIno 3D renderno game engineno plastic skinno unrealistic lightingno text, logo, watermark

The ready formula · copy it as a base, then add what you need

Ultra-realistic cinematic photography of a female model, shot on a 35mm lens, natural day time lighting, realistic shadows, shallow depth of field, true-to-life textures, visible imperfections, subtle film grain, natural color grading

Tip: after the base, ask ChatGPT to “make this prompt more detailed” to turn it into a richer cinematic version. Send your image and ask: “this doesn’t look real enough, should we add detail?”

Elevated example · cinematic

Ultra-realistic, true-to-life cinematic photography of a female model captured as if shot on a full-frame professional DSLR with a 35mm prime lens at f/1.8, using natural midday sunlight filtered through the atmosphere, creating physically-accurate soft highlights and deep realistic shadows. Surfaces show real-world micro-texture including skin pores, fabric weave, dust, fingerprints, and slight wear — nothing airbrushed. Color grading is neutral and photographic with true whites and natural skin tones. Fine cinematic film grain and sensor noise in the shadows. Looks like a real cinematic still — visually indistinguishable from real photography.

UGC example · realistic selfie

Ultra-realistic close-up selfie of a woman sitting on her bed, soft natural morning light through sheer curtains, phone held at arm's length, natural skin texture with faint freckles, glossy lips, messy hair tied loosely, white oversized t-shirt, cozy bedroom blurred behind her, raw iPhone selfie look, no makeup filter, UGC aesthetic, hyper-realistic skin pores and hair strands, unstaged composition, no cartoon, no plastic skin.

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