When venturing into the realm of AI-powered image generation, precision in your prompts is paramount to achieving truly compelling results. While the term "realistic photo" might seem straightforward, it lacks the specificity needed to guide these systems effectively. AI image generators are literal interpreters, meticulously following your instructions. To unlock their full potential and generate images that feel authentic and believable, we must embrace a more nuanced approach. By incorporating detailed camera exposure commands into our prompts, we can provide the AI with a clearer roadmap, leading to more focused and visually striking outputs. Let's explore the power of these commands by experimenting with variations of a single prompt, observing firsthand how subtle changes can dramatically impact the final image.
Try experimenting with this sentence by copying and pasting variations at the end, and experience the differences for yourself.
① General
Leica M10-R, low exposure, high contrast black and white, ISO 100, with a 50mm prime lens.
Result: Emphasizes texture with deep shadows and fine monochrome details.Leica SL2-S with tilt-shift lens, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 100, with a 45mm tilt-shift lens.
Result: Produces a surreal perspective with precise focus and deep shadows, highlighting scale and architectural details.Leica Q2 Monochrom, low exposure, extreme high contrast, ISO 50, with a 28mm macro lens.
Result: Highlights intricate details with a glowing outline, using backlighting for a dramatic effect.Leica S3, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 50, with a 120mm macro lens.
Result: Captures sharp macro details with soft contrast, enhancing textures and reflections in fine details.Leica SL2 with long exposure, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 100, with a 35mm wide-angle lens.
Result: Captures dynamic movement with streaks of light, enhancing the contrast of urban night scenes. For better separation of the subject and bokeh effect: 100mm lens.Leica M10 Monochrom, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 100, with a 50mm prime lens.
Result: Delivers fine natural textures and detail, emphasizing delicate patterns with soft lighting.Leica SL2-S, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 50, with a 24-90mm zoom lens.
Result: Captures architectural details with dramatic lighting and long shadows, creating a striking urban landscape.Leica Q2, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 50, with a 28mm prime lens.
Result: Reveals light refraction and swirling colors in delicate textures, producing a magical and ethereal image.Leica SL2-S, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 64, with a 75mm prime lens.
Result: Enhances botanical detail with soft lighting, revealing the intricate patterns of petals.Leica S3 with bellows extension, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 64, with a 100mm macro lens.
Result: Highlights mechanical precision with sharp contrast and deep shadows, focusing on fine details.Leica M10-R with ND filter, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 50, with a 28mm wide-angle lens.
Result: Freezes fast-moving water with strong contrast, capturing dramatic texture under harsh light.Leica Q2 Monochrom with polarizing filter, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 100, with a 28mm prime lens.
Result: Captures abstract reflections and interplay of light, emphasizing contrasts on smooth reflective surfaces.Leica M10 Monochrom, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 400 (pushed to 800), with a 50mm prime lens.
Result: Creates a moody, silhouetted image with vintage film grain and intense backlighting.Leica M-A with black and white film, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 400 (pushed to 1600), with a 50mm prime lens.
Result: Utilizes deep shadows and grain to create a powerful and evocative monochrome scene.Leica M10 with infrared film, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 400 (pushed to 800), with a 35mm wide-angle lens.
Result: Produces a surreal and ethereal image, highlighting hidden patterns with unique lighting effects.
② Street & Documentary
Leica M10-R, low exposure, high contrast black and white, ISO 100, with a 35mm prime lens.
Result: Captures strong contrast and dynamic light interplay, emphasizing the urban textures and shadows.Leica Q2, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 100, with a 28mm prime lens.
Result: Produces a stark silhouette with vibrant city lights creating dramatic contrast and a halo effect.
③ Portrait & Lifestyle
Leica M11, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 200, with a 50mm prime lens.
Result: Highlights natural light, creating an intimate and flattering portrait with soft shadows.Leica Q2 Monochrom, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 800, with a 28mm prime lens.
Result: Emphasizes warm, romantic light, capturing candid emotions with nostalgic undertones.
④ Landscape & Architecture
Leica M10-R, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 100, with a 24mm wide-angle lens.
Result: Enhances landscape drama, capturing long shadows and the grandeur of the scene with precise detail.Leica Q2, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 64, with a 28mm prime lens.
Result: Showcases intricate architectural details with side lighting, bringing out textures and design elements.
⑤ Reflection & Abstraction
Leica SL2-S with tilt-shift lens, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 100, with a 45mm tilt-shift lens.
Result: Creates a hyper-realistic scene with a unique perspective, using long shadows for dramatic effect.Leica Q2 Monochrom, low exposure, extreme high contrast, ISO 50, with a 28mm macro lens.
Result: Emphasizes the fine details of a snowflake, using backlighting to create a glowing effect and enhance texture.
⑥ Film & Mood
Leica M10 Monochrom, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 400 (pushed to 800), with a 50mm prime lens.
Result: Captures a moody silhouette with film grain and backlighting, enhancing the emotional depth of the scene.Leica M-A with black and white film, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 400 (pushed to 1600), with a 50mm prime lens.
Result: Creates a powerful black-and-white image with deep shadows and film grain, emphasizing the drama and raw emotion.
⑦ Still Life & Abstract
Leica S3, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 50, with a 120mm macro lens.
Result: Produces a sharp, high-detail macro image, capturing the delicate textures of a single water droplet with soft shadows.Leica SL2 with long exposure, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 100, with a 35mm wide-angle lens.
Result: Captures dynamic city movement with long exposure, blending streaks of light and blurred motion for a high-energy urban image.
⑧ Mechanical & Detail
Leica S3 with bellows extension, low exposure, high contrast, ISO 64, with a 100mm macro lens.
Result: Emphasizes fine mechanical details with deep shadows and sharp focus, bringing out the intricate craftsmanship of the vintage watch.
🟨 FAQ
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 Hasselblad Camera - https://tensor.art/articles/771012991446530480
