--- title: Prompting guide | Luma Agents description: A creator's field guide to prompting Uni-1 — workflow, templates, anatomy of a great prompt, reference images, and the cheat sheet of dos and don'ts. --- Uni-1 doesn’t pattern-match keywords — it reasons through your intent before generating a single pixel. That changes how you prompt it. - You don’t need prompt-engineering tricks or keyword stuffing. - Describe what you **want**, not what you don’t (negative prompts aren’t supported). - Think of yourself as a **creative director** giving a brief to a talented artist. - The clearer your vision, the better the result — but loose, exploratory prompts work too. The workflow is: **Start → Direct → Refine → Finish**. ![Workflow (Start, Direct, Refine, Finish) and prompt anatomy (Subject, Style, Composition, Lighting, Environment, Mood, Details, Text)](https://static.cdn-luma.com/files/f81e59c7c1c2cl684/1.jpg) ## Create vs modify: the first decision Everything starts with one question: **am I creating something new, or changing something that already exists?** - **Create** (`type: "image"`) generates a brand-new composition. It can be inspired by references but none of the input pixels are preserved. See [Image generation](/guides/image-generation/index.md). - **Modify** (`type: "image_edit"`) edits a specific input image. Composition is preserved unless you ask for a change. See [Image editing](/guides/image-editing/index.md). Rule of thumb: - “Make this photo look like nighttime” → **Modify** - “Create a new scene in the style of this photo” → **Create** - If the output should look like a *version of your input* → **Modify** - If it should feel *inspired but new* → **Create** ## Eight prompt templates These eight templates cover roughly 90% of real-world use cases. Pick the one that matches your intent and fill in the bracketed slots. ### 1. The Fast Start Use for exploration, first ideas, quick outputs. **Template:** ``` A [subject], in [style], with [lighting], [camera/composition], [environment/background], mood: [emotion], details: [key specifics] ``` **Example:** ``` A ceramic artist shaping a lopsided bowl, documentary photography style, soft window lighting, close-up shot, cluttered home studio background, mood: focused and quiet, details: clay-covered hands, imperfect texture, tools scattered on wooden table ``` ![Close-up of a ceramic artist's clay-covered hands shaping a bowl in a cluttered home studio](https://static.cdn-luma.com/files/f81e59c7c1c2cl684/2.jpg) ### 2. The Cinematic Control Use when you need precise visual control — cinematic scenes, editorial work, portfolio pieces. **Template:** ``` Subject: [who/what] Style: [editorial / documentary / fine art / etc.] Scene: - Environment: [where] - Time of day: [lighting conditions] - Weather/atmosphere: [mood elements] Camera: - Shot type: [close-up / wide / medium / aerial] - Lens: [wide angle / telephoto / macro] - Angle: [eye level / low angle / overhead] Details: [specific textures, colors, props] Mood: [overall feeling] ``` **Example:** ``` Subject: A retired boxer sitting alone in an empty gym Style: Documentary photography, gritty and honest Scene: - Environment: Aging boxing gym with peeling paint - Time of day: Late afternoon, golden light through dusty windows - Weather/atmosphere: Quiet, contemplative Camera: - Shot type: Medium shot, waist up - Lens: 50mm natural perspective - Angle: Slightly low, looking up at the subject Details: Worn leather gloves hanging nearby, sweat-stained bench, faded championship posters on walls Mood: Dignified melancholy, the weight of a career ``` ![Retired boxer sitting alone on a bench in an empty gym, late afternoon light through dusty windows](https://static.cdn-luma.com/files/f81e59c7c1c2cl684/3.jpg) ### 3. The Direct Edit Use to fix specific issues on an existing image. Be surgical — the more specific you are about what to change AND what to preserve, the better the edit. **Template:** ``` Change [specific element] to [new version]. Keep everything else the same. ``` **Example:** ``` Change the sky to a dramatic sunset with deep orange and purple clouds. Keep everything else the same. ``` Pair Direct Edits with `type: "image_edit"` and a `source` image. The dimensions of the output come from the source, so `aspect_ratio` is ignored here. See [Image editing](/guides/image-editing/index.md). ### 4. The Multi-Reference Fusion Use to blend multiple visual ideas — a character in a specific style in a specific pose. Label each reference’s role explicitly so the model knows which aspect to pull from each. **Template:** ``` IMAGE1 (STYLE): [description of style reference] IMAGE2 (CHARACTER): [description of character reference] IMAGE3 (COMPOSITION): [description of layout reference] Create a [subject] that combines the visual style of IMAGE1, the character from IMAGE2, in the composition/layout of IMAGE3. [Additional details about the scene.] ``` Pass the references as `image_ref` entries in your request. Up to 9 references for `type: "image"`, or 8 for `type: "image_edit"` (the source occupies its own slot). See [`image_ref`](/guides/image-generation#image_ref/index.md) for the parameter contract. ### 5. The Layout Control Use for posters, magazine covers, infographics — anything with structured placement and text. Uni-1 is exceptionally good at text rendering; put exact strings in quotes. **Template:** ``` Create a [format] with the following layout: - [Position 1]: [element description] - [Position 2]: [element description] - [Position 3]: [element description] Text: "[exact text to render]" Style: [overall aesthetic] ``` **Example:** ``` Create a magazine cover with the following layout: - Top third: Title "WILDLIGHT" in bold serif font - Center: Portrait of a woman wearing an oversized vintage denim jacket - Bottom: Subtitle "The Future of Desert Fashion — Spring 2026" Style: High-fashion editorial, muted earth tones, natural lighting ``` ![Magazine cover titled WILDLIGHT with a portrait of a woman in a denim jacket against a desert backdrop](https://static.cdn-luma.com/files/f81e59c7c1c2cl684/4.jpg) ### 6. The Storyboard Generator Use for multi-panel sequences with a consistent character across panels. **Template:** ``` Create a [N]-panel storyboard showing: Panel 1: [scene]. Panel 2: [scene]. Panel 3: [scene]. Consistent character throughout. Style: [aesthetic]. ``` **Example:** ``` Create a 4-panel storyboard showing: Panel 1: A detective enters a dimly lit bar. Panel 2: She slides a photo across the counter to the bartender. Panel 3: The bartender recognizes the person and looks nervous. Panel 4: Close-up of the detective's knowing smile. Consistent character throughout: woman in her 40s, sharp features, dark trenchcoat. Style: Film noir, high contrast black and white. ``` ![Four-panel film noir storyboard of a detective interrogating a bartender](https://static.cdn-luma.com/files/f81e59c7c1c2cl684/5.jpg) ### 7. The Loose / Creative mode Use when you want to explore and be surprised. Uni-1’s reasoning engine can interpret abstract concepts and moods. **Template:** ``` [Vibe or feeling]. [A few evocative words or an abstract concept.] ``` **Example:** ``` The feeling of waking up in a foreign city for the first time. Morning light. Unfamiliar rooftops. Coffee steam. Possibility. ``` ![Woman holding coffee by an open window overlooking unfamiliar rooftops in the morning light](https://static.cdn-luma.com/files/f81e59c7c1c2cl684/6.jpg) ### 8. The Structured JSON Use for maximum precision and reproducibility. Great for batch work where every field needs to be tweakable. **Template:** ``` { "subject": "...", "style": "...", "composition": "...", "lighting": "...", "color_palette": "...", "mood": "...", "details": ["...", "...", "..."], "text_elements": ["..."], "aspect_ratio": "..." } ``` Serialize the object into your `prompt` field — Uni-1 reads structured prose well, and JSON is just one shape of structured prose. ## The anatomy of a great prompt Most prompts can be assembled from eight building blocks. Cover the ones that matter for your shot; skip the rest. | Element | What it does | Example | | --------------- | -------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | | **Subject** | Who or what is in the image | ”A street musician playing violin” | | **Style** | Visual aesthetic or medium | ”Oil painting”, “35mm film photography”, “Studio Ghibli” | | **Composition** | Camera angle, framing | ”Close-up portrait”, “aerial view”, “rule of thirds” | | **Lighting** | Light quality and direction | ”Golden hour”, “dramatic side lighting”, “soft diffused” | | **Environment** | Where the scene takes place | ”Rainy Tokyo alley”, “sunlit meadow”, “brutalist interior” | | **Mood** | Emotional tone | ”Nostalgic”, “tense”, “joyful and chaotic” | | **Details** | Specific textures, props, colors | ”Worn leather jacket”, “turquoise accent wall” | | **Text** | Any words to render in the image | Put the exact string in `"quotes"` | ### Recommended prompt lengths | Task | Length | Why | | ---------------- | ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- | | Text-to-image | 80–250 words | Enough detail to guide, not so much it conflicts | | Reference-guided | 100–300 words | More words needed to describe how references should blend | | Modify/Edit | 30–100 words | Be surgical — describe only the change | ### Weak vs strong prompts **Weak:** ``` cat in forest ``` **Strong:** ``` A tabby cat sitting on a mossy log in an ancient forest at golden hour, soft dappled light filtering through oak leaves, painterly impressionist style, warm amber tones, peaceful and serene mood ``` --- **Weak:** ``` product photo of sneaker ``` **Strong:** ``` A single white running sneaker on a concrete surface, outdoor urban environment, clean commercial photography, soft natural shadow, minimalist and modern feel, shallow depth of field ``` --- **Weak:** ``` make a poster ``` **Strong:** ``` Create a movie poster for a sci-fi thriller. Title: "SIGNAL" in large distressed metallic font at the top. Central image: a lone astronaut standing before a massive alien structure on a barren planet. Color palette: deep navy, burnt orange, silver. Mood: awe and isolation. Tagline at bottom: "They weren't listening. They were waiting." ``` ## Working with reference images Uni-1 supports up to **9 reference images** in Create mode and **8 in Modify mode** (the source image occupies the ninth slot). Each reference can play a role: | Role | What it controls | When to use | | ----------------- | ------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------- | | **Style** | Visual aesthetic, rendering approach | ”Make it look like THIS” | | **Character** | Identity, face, body, clothing | Keeping a character consistent across scenes | | **Composition** | Layout, spatial arrangement | Matching a specific framing or structure | | **Color palette** | Colors and tones | Matching brand colors or a mood | | **Lighting** | Light direction and quality | Recreating a specific lighting setup | | **Texture** | Surface qualities and materials | Matching specific material finishes | | **Mood** | Overall emotional feeling | Capturing an atmosphere | ### Character consistency workflow 1. Generate a clean, front-facing reference image of your character. 2. Reuse it as `IMAGE1 (CHARACTER)` in every subsequent scene. 3. Keep the label identical across prompts. 4. Add scene-specific details in the text prompt. 5. The character stays consistent; the world around them changes. See [`image_ref`](/guides/image-generation#image_ref/index.md) for the parameter contract and base64 vs URL handling. ## Five core workflows How to combine the templates above into a finished image. ### Workflow 1: Idea → final image 1. Start with a **Fast Start** prompt (loose, exploratory). 2. Pick the best result. 3. **Modify** to refine details (lighting, color, specific elements). 4. Modify again for final polish. ### Workflow 2: Reference-driven creation 1. Gather 1–3 reference images (style, character, composition). 2. Write a **Multi-Reference Fusion** prompt. 3. Generate. 4. Modify to fine-tune. ### Workflow 3: Fix & polish 1. Start with any image (generated or uploaded). 2. Use **Direct Edit** prompts to fix specific issues. 3. Iterate one change at a time — better than trying to fix everything at once. ### Workflow 4: Precision composition 1. Sketch or describe your exact layout. 2. Use **Layout Control** or **Structured JSON**. 3. Upload the sketch as a reference if available. 4. Generate and refine. ### Workflow 5: Exploration → lock → iterate 1. Start loose (**Creative Mode**) — generate many options. 2. Find a direction you love — “lock” it by saving. 3. Switch to **Cinematic Control** for precise versions. 4. Use Modify for final variations. ## Quick rules (cheat sheet) **Do** - Be specific about subject + style + composition. - Put key instructions early in the prompt. - Use references for consistency. - Describe spatial relationships explicitly (“to the left of”, “in the foreground”). - Use quotes for text you want rendered: `"SALE 50% OFF"`. - Refine iteratively — don’t restart from scratch. - Use layout descriptions for complex compositions. - Specify lighting. It’s the single biggest quality lever. **Don’t** - Write negative prompts (“no hands”, “without blur”) — not supported. - Use keyword soup from other AI tools (“8k, ultra detailed, masterpiece”). - Over-constrain with conflicting instructions. - Expect one prompt to get it perfect — the power is in the workflow. - Forget to mention mood/emotion — it dramatically changes the output. ![Cheat sheet summarizing the dos and don'ts and recommended prompt length per task](https://static.cdn-luma.com/files/f81e59c7c1c2cl684/7.jpg) ## What Uni-1 is especially great at - **Spatial reasoning** — complex multi-subject scenes with correct object placement. - **Text rendering** — readable, stylized text in images (posters, signs, UI mockups). - **Character consistency** — same character across multiple generations using references. - **Infographics & data visualization** — charts, diagrams, informational layouts. - **Multi-panel layouts** — storyboards, comic panels, sequential art. - **Cultural styles** — manga, ukiyo-e, film noir, editorial, and 76+ other styles. - **Photo restoration** — bringing old or damaged photos back to life. - **Product photography** — clean commercial shots with precise control. - **Complex compositions** — multiple characters, detailed environments, layered scenes. ## Aspect ratios Pick the right canvas for the content. If you don’t pass `aspect_ratio`, Uni-1 chooses one to fit the prompt. | Ratio | Orientation | Best for | | ------ | ----------------- | -------------------------------------------- | | `1:1` | Square | Social posts, avatars, icons | | `16:9` | Wide landscape | YouTube thumbnails, presentations, cinematic | | `9:16` | Tall portrait | Instagram Stories, TikTok, phone wallpapers | | `3:2` | Classic landscape | Photography, prints, editorial | | `2:3` | Classic portrait | Portraits, book covers, posters | | `2:1` | Ultrawide | Panoramic scenes, banners | | `1:2` | Ultratall | Vertical banners, signage | | `3:1` | Extreme wide | Website headers, cinematic letterbox | | `1:3` | Extreme tall | Vertical scrolls, tall infographics | `style: "manga"` is portrait-only on `type: "image"`. Pair it with `2:3`, `9:16`, `1:2`, or `1:3` (or omit `aspect_ratio`). See [`style: "manga"` aspect-ratio constraint](/guides/image-generation#style-manga-aspect-ratio-constraint/index.md). ## Pro tips from the community - “Think of Uni-1 as a chess master, not a slot machine — it plans before it generates.” - “I stopped writing ‘perfect’ prompts. Now I just explain what I want, and Uni-1 figures it out.” - “The biggest unlock was using references. A single style reference image is worth a thousand words of prompt description.” - “For product shots, describe the ENVIRONMENT and LIGHTING more than the product itself — Uni-1 already understands objects well.” - “Don’t restart when you get something close. Use Modify to push the last 20%.” - “Web search grounding is incredible for real-world subjects — landmarks, celebrities, specific products. Toggle it on.” - “Multi-panel prompts are a superpower. You can create entire storyboards in a single generation.” - “If you’re coming from Midjourney, ditch the style keywords. Write like you’re briefing a photographer instead.” ## Next steps - [**Quickstart**](/index.md) — run your first generation in five minutes. - [**Image generation**](/guides/image-generation/index.md) — every parameter you just learned about: `prompt`, `aspect_ratio`, `style`, `image_ref`, `web_search`. - [**Image editing**](/guides/image-editing/index.md) — apply these prompts to modify existing images. - [**Models**](/guides/model/index.md) — `uni-1` vs `uni-1-max` capabilities and what each costs per image. - [**Uni-1 Showcase**](https://lumalabs.ai/uni-1/showcase) — see what creators are making with Uni-1.