Article coEstimated read time: 4 minutes

AI image tools can feel like magic… or absolute madness.

You type in what you think is a great prompt, hit generate — and out comes a bizarre mess of extra fingers, wonky lighting, or something that looks like it escaped from a haunted doll museum.

Let’s fix that.

Here’s how to get useful, not frustrating results when creating images with AI.

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1. Start with the right tool

Different tools suit different goals:

• Midjourney – great for artistic or stylised images
• DALL·E / ChatGPT image tool – handy for more literal concepts
• Pika / Kling / Runway – ideal for short video or animation-style outputs

Start with one. Don’t get overwhelmed trying them all at once.

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2. Think like a director, not a shopper

You’re not just “asking” for an image. You’re directing one.

Include:

• The subject (what’s in the frame?)
• The style (realistic, cartoon, retro, cinematic?)
• The lighting or mood (sunset, dramatic shadows?)
• The background (clean, detailed, indoor/outdoor?)

Example prompt:

“A realistic photo of a young entrepreneur working on a laptop at a sunny café. Soft lighting, shallow depth of field, modern minimalist style.”

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3. Use references

If your tool allows it, upload a reference image. This gives the AI visual cues it can’t misinterpret.

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4. Don’t expect perfection in one go

Good image generation usually takes multiple rounds.

Tweak the prompt slightly. Change a word. Reframe the scene. You’re refining a sketch, not snapping a photo.

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5. Save your good prompts

Once you get a great result, save that prompt like gold.

Reuse and adapt it later — that’s your secret weapon.

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6. Know when to stop

Some days the AI just isn’t listening. If you’re on version 14 and it still looks like a Picasso fever dream, walk away. Come back later. Fresh eyes, better brain.

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Want help with this stuff?

In the Creative AI Bootcamp, I show you how to use image and video generation tools like Midjourney, Gamma, Pika, and Kling — all without losing your mind.

You’ll get real-world examples and prompts that actually work.ntent coming soon!