The quick answer
A prompt is the instruction you give the AI. Say what should change and what should stay. Normal sentences are enough. You do not need code.
Start with one change. If the result is wrong, fix the unclear part of your request first.
In this article
Keep these in mind
- Describe a visible change that you can check.
- Give each reference image a clear role.
- Use selections and masks when exact boundaries matter.
Start with one visible change
“Make this better” is a broad request. Try “replace the gray wall with a pale blue wall.” You can now check whether the AI did the job.
For an existing photo, describe the change you want. Describing a whole new room may cause more changes than you need. Adobe recommends clear, descriptive words. A request for a small edit can differ from one for a new picture.
Read more: Adobe: Write effective image prompts
Ask three simple questions
What should change? How should it look? What must stay? Try: “Make the wall behind the chair pale blue. Keep the chair, floor, and lighting as they are.” Check the result anyway. Words alone do not protect every detail.
Be clear about light too. “Soft light from the left” is clearer than “beautiful light.” Instead of “professional,” describe what you mean. You may want softer shadows, a darker background, or fewer reflections.
- Change: the wall behind the chair.
- Appearance: pale blue painted plaster.
- Keep: chair shape, fabric, floor, framing, and existing shadows.
Mark the area and show examples
Words do not draw an exact boundary. Mark the area you want to change, then check the edges of the result. Keep the original on its own layer. A mask lets you hide parts of the new image and show the original beneath it.
A reference image is a picture you give the AI as an example. Explain its job: “Use image 1 for the chair and image 2 for the wall color.” Check that the model accepts these images. Remove old examples from unrelated tasks.
Read more: Adobe: Use reference images · Adobe: Edit images with Generative Fill
Improve one part at a time
Is the wall right but the chair changed? First check which area you marked and which picture you sent. Then make the request clearer. You can also use a mask to show the original chair.
Some tips recommend JSON. This is a way to write text in named fields, often used in code. It does not make images better by itself. Short lines called Change, Lighting, and Keep can help you organize the request.
Save a good prompt with the original, example images, and result. Note the model and settings too. Change one thing in your next test. That makes it easier to see what helped.
Sources & further reading
Product features can change. Check the linked documentation for the version and service you use.