AI image models learned from millions of captioned photos, so they respond well to real photography vocabulary.
Lenses
- 14–24mm (wide angle): landscapes, architecture, dramatic interiors
- 35mm: street and documentary; natural perspective with context
- 50mm: everyday "human eye" look
- 85mm: flattering portraits with soft backgrounds
- 100mm macro: extreme close-ups of small details
- 200–600mm telephoto: wildlife and sports, compressed backgrounds
Aperture and depth of field
- f/1.4–f/2.8: shallow depth of field and creamy bokeh
- f/8–f/16: everything sharp, good for landscapes
Shutter and motion
- Fast shutter: frozen action like splashes and sports
- Long exposure: silky water and light trails
- Motion blur: a sense of speed
Shot types and angles
Close-up, medium shot, full body, wide shot, bird's-eye view, low angle, eye level, over the shoulder, top-down flat lay.
Film and camera looks
Kodak Portra (warm skin tones), Fujifilm (punchy greens), black-and-white Tri-X (gritty grain), Polaroid, disposable camera flash, medium format.
Put it together
A photorealistic portrait of an elderly baker in his shop, 85mm lens at f/1.8,
soft window light from the left, shallow depth of field, Kodak Portra 400 look.