In Part 1, we explored the power of "Style Prompt Prefixes" – those magic keywords like isometric 3d or claymation style that set the overall aesthetic for your AI-generated images. Today, we're diving into the next level: Modifier Tags. These are the secret ingredients you add after your subject to refine details, control lighting, inject specific textures, and truly make your image unique.
TL;DR: Building on style prefixes (Part 1), modifier tags are keywords added after your subject to control specific details like image quality, lighting, color, texture, camera angle, and artistic effects. Think of the prompt structure as [Style Prefix] + [Subject] + [Modifier Tags]. Mastering modifiers gives you granular control for incredibly rich and specific AI images.
The Anatomy of a Powerful Prompt
Remember our sushi shop example? We saw how isometric 3d: sushi shop was much more efficient than a long description. Now, let's look at how modifiers add layers of detail.
Typically, a well-structured AI image prompt follows this pattern:
[Style Prefix] + [Subject] + [Modifier Tags]
Consider this example prompt for generating an image of a cat:
blocky isometric: Cat, kaleidoscope, fluid linework, ambient light, 4k
- blocky isometric: - This is the Style Prefix we learned about in Part 1, setting the core visual style (a blocky, isometric view).
- Cat - This is our main Subject.
- , kaleidoscope, fluid linework, ambient light, 4k - These are the Modifier Tags. They add specific details and instructions: inject a kaleidoscope effect, use fluid linework, apply soft ambient light, and render in 4k resolution.
See how these modifiers enrich the image beyond the basic style and subject? They cover everything from image style, color, and texture to location, lighting, and camera lenses. The combinations are virtually endless, allowing you to generate incredibly diverse and nuanced visuals. Don't be afraid to experiment – that's where the magic happens!
Let's explore the common categories of Modifier Tags:
AI Image Modifier Tag Encyclopedia: Part 2
Here are 13 categories packed with useful tags (English keywords provided):
1. Quality & Detail Enhancement
Use these to push the realism and clarity of your image.
- High Detail: highly detailed, ultra detailed, hyper realistic, photorealistic, intricate details
- High-Quality Rendering: 3d render, cinematic render, octane render, ray tracing
- High Resolution: 4k, 8k, HD, high resolution, photo quality, depth map
Example: DSLR photo: Apple, 3d render, intricate details (A realistic photo of an apple, enhanced with 3D rendering techniques and fine details).
2. Lighting & Atmosphere
Control the mood and focus with specific lighting conditions.
- Soft Light: soft lighting, diffused light, ambient light
- Dramatic Light: dramatic lighting, rim lighting (light outlines the subject), volumetric light (visible light beams), backlighting, God rays (beams through clouds/openings)
- Specific Effects: studio lighting, cinematic lighting, sunset glow, film noir lighting
Examples:
- DSLR photo: Apple, backlighting (An apple with light shining from behind, creating a silhouette or halo effect).
- DSLR photo: Apple, studio lighting (An apple lit professionally, as if in a photo studio).
3. Color & Tone
Set the color palette and overall color mood.
- Bright & Cute: colorful, pastel palette, kawaii colors
- Simple & Monochrome: minimal color, flat color, monochrome
- Retro & Nostalgic: vintage tone, sepia tone, retro color scheme
- Tech & Neon: neon lights, cyberpunk palette, glow effect
Examples:
- DSLR photo: Apple, neon lights (An apple bathed in the glow of neon colors).
- DSLR photo: Apple, pastel palette (An apple rendered in soft, gentle pastel shades).
4. Anthropomorphism & Character Style
Give objects human-like qualities or apply specific character styles.
- Anthropomorphic: anthropomorphic, personified, humanized object
- Chibi/Cute: kawaii version, chibi style, cute mascot
- Branded Character: mascot design, character branding, icon character
- Stylized Character: mecha style (robotic), steampunk character, low poly character
Examples:
- DSLR photo: Apple, anthropomorphic (An apple designed with human-like features, maybe arms and a face).
- DSLR photo: Apple, low poly character (An apple represented as a simplified, geometric character).
5. Scene Atmosphere & Setting
Define the environment and background mood.
- Natural/Fairy Tale: storybook setting, forest village, fairy tale background
- Urban/Modern: urban background, cyber cityscape, post-apocalyptic, cozy interior
- Magical/Fantasy: magical atmosphere, floating islands, mystical glow, sci-fi laboratory
- Unique Locations: underwater world, dreamscape, space colony
Example: DSLR photo: Apple, floating islands (An apple situated in a surreal scene with islands floating in the sky).
6. Material & Surface Texture
Specify the material or texture of the subject.
- Handmade Texture: clay texture, felt, knitted, paper texture, gouache texture, collage texture
- Physical Materials: metallic, ceramic, wooden, glass, mossy surface, stone, fabric
- Toy Texture: rubber, plastic, vinyl, plush, soft foam
Examples:
- DSLR photo: Apple, plush (An apple that looks like a soft, stuffed toy).
- DSLR photo: Apple, mossy surface (An apple covered in realistic green moss).
7. Composition & Camera Lens Style
Control the viewpoint, framing, and lens effects.
- Viewpoint/Angle: isometric view, top-down, bird’s eye view, first-person view, drone shot, fisheye lens
- Close-Up: close-up, macro view, portrait angle, macro lens, extreme close-up
- Photographic Language: cinematic frame, film still, anamorphic lens (widescreen look), portrait mode
- Depth & Motion: shallow depth of field (blurry background), bokeh background (light orbs in blur), tilt shift (miniature effect), motion blur, long exposure, dynamic angle, action frame
- Cutaway/Internal View: cross-section, cutaway diagram, exploded view
Examples:
- DSLR photo: Apple, extreme close-up (Focusing tightly on a small detail of the apple's skin).
- DSLR photo: Apple, cutaway diagram (Showing the internal structure of the apple, like in a textbook).
8. Illustration & Art Medium Style
Specify traditional or digital art techniques.
- Hand-Drawn Media: watercolor, pencil sketch, marker sketch, chalk art, charcoal sketch, gouache painting, collage art
- Digital Styles: digital painting, vector art, pixel art, 3d sculpt
- Illustration Types: storybook illustration, manga style, webtoon render, children’s book art
Examples:
- DSLR photo: Apple, pixel art (Rendering the apple using visible square pixels).
- DSLR photo: Apple, collage art (An apple composed of different textures and images cut and pasted together).
9. Art Style Imitation
Emulate famous art movements or specific artists (use artist names ethically and be aware of copyright).
- Painting Styles: oil painting, impasto style (thick paint), baroque lighting
- Abstract Art: abstract expressionism, cubism, geometric abstraction
- Classical Painting: renaissance painting, Dutch golden age
- Asian Styles: ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock prints), Japanese woodblock, Chinese ink painting
- Contemporary/Specific Artists: studio Ghibli style, Artgerm style, Greg Rutkowski style (Note: AI responses may vary based on training data for specific artists)
Example: DSLR photo: Apple, cubism (An apple depicted from multiple viewpoints simultaneously, in the style of Picasso or Braque).
10. Cultural & Ethnic Styles
Incorporate visual elements from specific cultures or regions.
- East Asian: Zen style, Japanese matsuri (festival), samurai village, tea ceremony
- Middle Eastern/North African: Moroccan tiles, Arabic calligraphy, desert palace, bazaar street
- European History: medieval Europe, gothic architecture, royal court
- Central/South American: Aztec pattern, Inca symbols, Mayan glyph art, rainforest temple
Examples:
- DSLR photo: Apple, Moroccan tile (An apple depicted as if made from or sitting on intricate Moroccan tiles).
- DSLR photo: Apple, gothic architecture (An apple placed within or incorporating elements of gothic architecture, like pointed arches).
11. Effects & Visual Impact
Add striking visual effects for impact.
- Psychedelic/Illusory: psychedelic, trippy, fractal patterns, kaleidoscope
- Digital Glitch: glitch effect, vaporwave distortion, datamosh, CRT scanlines
- Futuristic Tech: sci-fi HUD (Heads-Up Display), holographic overlay, neon glitch, digital fragments
- Spiritual/Ethereal: celestial glow, cosmic energy, chakra aura
Examples:
- DSLR photo: Apple, kaleidoscope (The apple viewed through a repeating, mirrored kaleidoscopic pattern).
- DSLR photo: Apple, glitch effect (The image of the apple appears distorted with digital errors).
12. Era & Time Period Styles
Set the scene in a specific historical or future time.
- Retro/Nostalgic: 1980s commercial, 70s fashion, steam age, noir city
- Sci-Fi/Future: futuristic, post-apocalyptic, solar punk, cyberpunk, tech utopia
- Ancient/Fantasy: mythological era, ancient ruins, prehistoric age, lost civilization
Examples:
- DSLR photo: Apple, noir city (An apple placed in a moody, black-and-white, rain-slicked city scene typical of film noir).
- DSLR photo: Apple, prehistoric age (An apple perhaps oversized or placed amongst dinosaurs and primitive landscapes).
13. Portrait & Character Expression
Define poses, actions, and emotions for characters (or anthropomorphized objects).
- Pose/Action: dynamic pose, jumping, dancing, running, mid-action shot
- Group Action: battle scene, parade, stage performance, sports movement
- Emotion/Expression: happy face, sad expression, angry look, crying, smiling, mysterious gaze
- Inner Mood: melancholic mood, joyful vibe, anxious feeling
Example: DSLR photo: Apple, mid-action shot (Perhaps an apple caught mid-fall or being sliced).
Go Forth and Modify!
Phew! That's a comprehensive look at modifier tags. By combining the Style Prefixes from Part 1 with these powerful Modifier Tags, you gain incredible control over your AI image creations.
The real power lies in experimentation. Mix and match prefixes and modifiers. See what happens when you ask for claymation style: Robot, steampunk character, cinematic lighting, 8k. Or watercolor illustration of: Cat, zen style, soft lighting. The possibilities are truly limitless.
At Mercury Technology Solution, we believe AI is a tool to augment human creativity. Understanding these prompting techniques unlocks a new level of artistic expression and efficient visual creation for everyone.
Now, go experiment, create something amazing, and share your results!
