AI Image Prompting Guide 2026: GPT Image, Nano Banana, Seedream & Flux
Strong AI image prompts are the cheapest way to improve your video pipeline. Better stills mean better image-to-video on Grok Imagine 1.5, Happy Horse, and Veo references. This guide covers Soup.video’s flagship text-to-image and image editing models with pricing and studio links.
Image prompt formula that ranks and converts
Use this structure for SEO-worthy tutorials and better generations:
[Subject] + [attributes] + [environment] + [lighting] + [camera/lens] + [style] + [quality cues]
Example:
Product photo of a matte ceramic coffee mug, soft morning window light, oak table, 50mm lens, shallow depth of field, clean commercial advertising style, high detail
Model picker (with studio links)
| Model | Best for | Start here | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT Image 2.0 | Flagship quality + edits | /image/gpt-image-2 | from ~$0.05 (1K) |
| GPT Image 1.5 | Reliable portraits/products | /image/gpt-image-1-5 | from ~$0.04 |
| Nano Banana 2 Lite | Fast drafts | /image/nano-banana-2-lite | ~$0.05 |
| Nano Banana Pro | Sharp 2K/4K + consistency | /image/nano-banana-pro | from ~$0.12 |
| Nano Banana / Edit | Speed + instruction edits | /image/nano-banana · /image/nano-banana-edit | ~$0.02–$0.04 |
| Seedream 5.0 Lite | Budget high-res social | /image/seedream-5-lite | from ~$0.04 |
| Qwen Image 2.0 | Text-in-image, design | /image/qwen-image-2-0 | ~$0.05 |
| Qwen Image Edit | Precise local edits | /image/qwen-image-2-0-edit | ~$0.05 |
Credits top-ups: Pricing.
Prompting by use case
1. Photoreal product shots
Studio product photo of wireless headphones on slate stone, softbox lighting, subtle reflection, commercial catalog style, centered composition, 3:2
Use: GPT Image 2.0 or Seedream 5 Lite
2. Character / influencer stills for I2V
Portrait of a woman with short curly hair and a yellow raincoat, soft overcast daylight, neutral city background, eye-level, natural skin texture, 2:3
Then animate on Grok Imagine 1.5.
3. Poster / readable text
Qwen and GPT Image handle typography better than most:
Minimalist event poster, bold centered title “NIGHT MARKET”, Japanese street food illustration, high-contrast print design, clean negative space
Use: Qwen Image 2.0
4. Image editing prompts
Be surgical:
Replace the background with a soft gradient sunset, keep the subject unchanged, match lighting color temperature
Use: Nano Banana Edit or Qwen Image Edit
Quality keywords that help (without spam)
Use a few, not twenty:
- Photoreal / commercial photography
- Softbox / rim light / golden hour
- 35mm / 85mm / macro
- Shallow depth of field
- Film grain (only if you want it)
Skip empty hype stacks like “masterpiece, best quality, 8k, trending on artstation” unless a specific model historically responds to them — clarity beats keyword stuffing for modern image models.
Aspect ratios for social + video pipelines
| Destination | Ratio | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Reels / TikTok / Shorts | 9:16 | Leave headroom for motion |
| YouTube thumb | 16:9 | High contrast subject |
| Feed / carousel | 1:1 or 4:5 | Centered subject |
| I2V anchor | Match final video ratio | Same framing as motion target |
From image → video on Soup.video
- Generate a still with your preferred image model
- Animate with Grok Imagine 1.5 or Happy Horse
- Or build a cinematic take on Kling 3.0 / Veo 3.1
- Optional: automate with the Generations API
This multi-model workflow is the core advantage of Soup.video versus single-suite subscriptions like Higgsfield, Runway, or Pika — see our Higgsfield comparison.
FAQ: AI image prompting
How detailed should image prompts be?
One tight paragraph. Lead with the subject; end with lighting/camera.
Which model is cheapest for drafts?
Nano Banana ($0.02) or Seedream 5 Lite basic ($0.04).
Can I use these images commercially?
Check Soup.video terms for your plan; credit top-ups are designed for creator and marketing workflows.
Start generating: pick a model from the table above, write a structured prompt, and keep credits for the takes that matter.