In the complex world of image-making driven by AI, precision in your prompts is key to bringing forth compelling and realistic visuals. The term "realistic photo" may seem sufficient at first, but in most cases, it doesn't give these complex systems the specific direction they need. Generative AI for images interprets prompts very well and is strictly bound to instructions. We need to be a bit more elegant in order to squeeze the best from them; we need to generate prompts that produce images that resonate with realism. In embedding these various types of camera exposure instructions into our prompts, we create for the AI a super clear template to work from, one that should enable us to hit on much sharper, much more granular results.
Let's look a bit closer at what this actually means, then play around with some small changes to see how it alters the image.
① General
Hasselblad X1D II 50C, low exposure, high contrast black and white, ISO 100, with a 50mm prime lens
Result: Delivers a high-contrast black and white image with sharp details and a dramatic monochrome effect, emphasizing texture and depth.
Hasselblad X1D II 50C with tilt-shift lens, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 100, with a 50mm tilt-shift lens
Result: Produces a hyper-realistic image with a surreal perspective, where sharp focus and dramatic depth of field highlight architectural elements or miniature scenes.
Hasselblad X1D II 50C with long exposure, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 100, with a 35mm wide-angle lens.
Result: Captures motion blur with striking contrast, enhancing dynamic scenes with light trails and softened movement.
Hasselblad H6D-100c, low exposure, extreme high contrast, ISO 50, with a 100mm macro lens
Result: Renders intricate close-up details with extreme contrast, ideal for capturing fine textures and minute patterns.
Hasselblad H6D-400c MS, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 64, with a 150mm telephoto lens
Result: Produces a sharp, high-contrast image with excellent detail and minimal noise, perfect for distant subjects with rich textures.
Hasselblad H6D-400c MS, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 100, with a 120mm macro lens
Result: Emphasizes small details with high contrast, bringing out the intricate structure of the subject with a strong sense of depth.
Hasselblad 907X 50C, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 100, with a 45mm wide-angle lens
Result: Delivers a wide field of view with dramatic lighting, accentuating the interplay between light and shadow across the scene.
Hasselblad 907X 50C with 100mm macro lens, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 100
Result: Focuses on the finest details with high contrast, highlighting delicate textures and minute features.
Hasselblad 907X 50C with bellows extension, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 64
Result: Achieves extreme close-up shots with exceptional detail, making even the smallest subjects appear large and highly detailed.
Hasselblad X2D 100C, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 125, with a 80mm prime lens
Result: Produces a balanced image with rich contrast and sharpness, ideal for portraits or subjects requiring a natural perspective.
Hasselblad X2D 100C with ND filter, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 64, with a 35mm wide-angle lens
Result: Combines slow shutter speeds with high contrast, capturing smooth motion in bright conditions with a wide field of view.
Hasselblad X2D 100C with polarizing filter, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 125, with a 50mm prime lens
Result: Enhances color saturation and reduces reflections, delivering a vivid image with strong contrast and clear details.
Hasselblad 503CW, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 400 (pushed to 800), with a 80mm standard lens
Result: Creates a vintage look with noticeable film grain and rich contrast, adding a nostalgic or artistic quality to the image.
Hasselblad 503CW with black and white film, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 400 (pushed to 1600), with a 50mm prime lens
Result: Produces a powerful black and white image with intense contrast and prominent grain, evoking a dramatic and emotional response.
Hasselblad 503CW with infrared film, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 400 (pushed to 800), with a 150mm telephoto lens
Result: Creates an ethereal effect with surreal lighting and unique textures, highlighting the hidden patterns of the scene.
② Texture & Monochrome
Hasselblad X1D II 50C, low exposure, high contrast black and white, ISO 100, with a 50mm prime lens
Result: Captures sharp, high-contrast textures in monochrome, emphasizing depth and shadowHasselblad X1D II 50C with tilt-shift lens, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 100, with a 45mm tilt-shift lens
Result: Creates a hyper-realistic, tilted perspective, enhancing the focus and depth of the image in high contrast black and whiteHasselblad X1D II 50C, underexposed, maximum contrast black and white, ISO 64, with a 90mm prime lens
Result: Delivers an ultra-dramatic monochrome image with maximum contrast and deep shadows, focusing on fine detailsHasselblad H6D-100c, low-key lighting, extreme high contrast monochrome, ISO 32, with a 120mm macro lens
Result: Emphasizes intense shadow and light balance in a high-contrast macro shot, perfect for highlighting intricate detailsHasselblad 907X 50C, minimal exposure, high-contrast grayscale, ISO 200, with a 65mm wide-angle lens
Result: Produces a minimal, grayscale image with rich contrast, capturing wide scenes with a soft balance of light and shadow
③ Urban & Motion
Hasselblad X2D 100C with ND filter, prolonged exposure, high contrast, ISO 50, with a 21mm ultra-wide lens
Result: Captures long-exposure scenes with high contrast, emphasizing motion blur and sharp details in wide landscapesHasselblad H6D-400c MS, low light capture, accentuated contrast, ISO 400, with a 24mm tilt-shift lens
Result: Produces detailed low-light images with strong contrast, focusing on architectural precision and depth with the tilt-shift effectHasselblad X1D II 50C, extended exposure time, heightened contrast, ISO 100, with a 45mm lens
Result: Delivers a dynamic image with enhanced contrast and smooth motion effects, capturing fine details with long exposure
④ Macro & Ephemeral
Hasselblad H6D-100c, reduced exposure, maximum contrast, ISO 100, with a 120mm macro lens and extension tubes
Result: Captures ultra-detailed macro images with maximum contrast, emphasizing fine textures and intricate details at extreme close-upHasselblad X2D 100C, minimal light, extreme contrast, ISO 64, with a 135mm macro lens
Result: Produces dramatic macro shots in low light, highlighting small subjects with deep shadows and rich contrastHasselblad 907X 50C with bellows, underexposed, high dynamic range, ISO 50, for ultra-close-up shots
Result: Delivers ultra-close-up images with enhanced dynamic range, capturing both subtle shadows and bright highlights for maximum detail
⑤ Nature & Detail
Hasselblad H6D-400c MS, slightly underexposed, enhanced contrast, ISO 100, with a 300mm telephoto lens
Result: Captures distant subjects with fine details, producing high-contrast, underexposed images with a dramatic effectHasselblad X2D 100C, low-key lighting, accentuated contrast, ISO 200, with a 90mm lens and close-up filter
Result: Produces moody, low-light close-up shots with rich contrast, emphasizing textures and details in tight compositionsHasselblad 907X 50C, reduced exposure, high tonal range, ISO 64, with a 135mm lens for distant subjects
Result: Captures distant scenes with subtle transitions between light and shadow, emphasizing depth and tonal range
⑥ Light & Reflection
Hasselblad X1D II 50C with polarizing filter, minimal exposure, boosted contrast, ISO 125, with a 30mm wide-angle lens
Result: Reduces reflections and enhances contrast, delivering rich details and deep tones in wide-angle shotsHasselblad H6D-100c, low-key lighting, heightened contrast, ISO 50, with a 100mm lens and prism filter
Result: Creates dramatic, high-contrast images with prism effects, adding unique light dispersion and enhancing the overall moodHasselblad X2D 100C, underexposed, maximum contrast, ISO 64, with a 45mm lens and star filter
Result: Produces intense, high-contrast images with starburst effects around light sources, enhancing the drama and visual interest
⑦ Film & Mood
Hasselblad 503CW, pushed Tri-X film (ISO 1600), underexposed, high contrast development, with a 60mm wide-angle lens
Result: Delivers a grainy, high-contrast image with deep shadows and rich textures, emphasizing the raw, analog feel of pushed filmHasselblad 203FE with Kodak Portra 800 (pushed to 3200), minimal exposure, enhanced contrast, using an 80mm lens
Result: Produces a vibrant, high-contrast image with the distinctive color tones of Kodak Portra, while maintaining subtle details in shadowsHasselblad 2000FCW with Ilford Delta 3200 (pushed to 6400), low-key lighting, maximum contrast, with a 150mm telephoto lens
Result: Generates an ultra-high contrast image with prominent film grain, focusing on deep shadows and dramatic lighting for a powerful black-and-white effect
🟨 FAQ
Are the grains in the Film & Mood section visuals a result of poor prompt quality?
⚠️ No, the grain is not a sign of poor quality. These prompts are specifically designed to create rich, high-contrast images with a defined film grain and underexposed effects, mimicking the look of images taken with Hasselblad film cameras. The grain is deliberately included to enhance the artistic mood.
Why are Hasselblad, Phase One, and Leica cameras the primary focus, when there are other great options?
☝️ These three brands are known for their high-end cameras, which are often used by professionals due to their superior quality. Based on their training on the images produced by these high-end professionals, the algorithm, called artificial intelligence, focuses on producing output that reflects the exceptional quality associated with these brands.
🔹For Phase One Camera - https://tensor.art/articles/771043378340050555
🔹For Leica Camera - https://tensor.art/articles/771052694124299213
