What defines an artist? Is it the tools they choose, the skills they master, or the vision they express? I’ve been pondering these questions for a long time, as I experimented with different forms of art and creativity. That’s why I created this ongoing art glossary, to help me with my next adventure: AI art. Many people think AI is just a way to automate art, and maybe that’s true for now, but I believe there’s more to it.

AI is still a young and evolving field, and I think we’ll have more and more control over how we direct it and what we want it to do. And that’s where authenticity comes in. How do we make AI art that reflects who we are and what we feel? How do we reconcile AI and authenticity? It sounds like a contradiction.

I never planned to become a photographer. It all started as a hobby, a way to collect textures for my 3D animation and visual effects projects. I bought a DSLR camera and started snapping away, without much thought or skill. To my surprise, people liked my photos. They called me a ‘photographer’. I felt like an impostor.

But then something changed. I began to see photography as more than just a tool. I saw it as an art form, a way to express myself and connect with others. I discovered the power of storytelling, of capturing moments and emotions. I found my niche in the fitness and fashion industries, where I could create meaningful images that inspired and motivated people.

But I also faced a challenge. I met many ‘photographers’ who were obsessed with their gear and their techniques. They made me feel insecure and inadequate. Was I a ‘photographer’ because I used a camera? Or were they the real photographers because of their technical expertise?

Then I stumbled upon AI and its amazing possibilities for creativity. This opened up a whole new world for me. A world where I could experiment, explore, and innovate. A world where I could collaborate with a machine that could generate art.

But this also raised some questions. Was I the artist, or was I just directing the AI? Was the art created by the AI, or was I influencing it in some way?

For me, the answer was clear. I didn’t want to let the AI do all the work. That’s why I choose Stable Diffusion over the other AI generated apps. I didn’t want the AI to create art for me. I wanted to guide it and shape it according to my vision.

How to Use this Art Glossary for Optimal Prompt Engineering

This guide is a personal art glossary for me that I’d like to share with you. It will grow over time and will offer a comprehensive roadmap for prompt engineering, using keywords from Photography and Cinematography. You can use it to craft prompts that capture specific aesthetics, shot types, or lighting styles. Each section is linked to a detailed article that explains the topic in depth. The goal is to help you write prompts that are not only visually appealing, but also technically accurate and contextually rich.

For example, if you want to write a prompt that requires a certain aesthetic, you can check out the ‘Aesthetics & Cinematographic Styles’ section. This will help you to write a prompt that reflects the essence of the aesthetic. Likewise, for prompts that involve particular shot types or lighting styles, you can refer to the ‘Cinematography Cinematic Shots’ and ‘Lighting Styles in Photography and Cinematography’ sections respectively, for useful guidance.

In short, each section of this guide is designed to help you find key terms of photography, cinematography, to be used for Prompt Engineering in applications like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, helping you to write nuanced, insightful prompts. Use this guide as a reference tool, a study guide, or a spark for inspiration as you navigate the world of prompt engineering.

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Photographic Styles and Techniques

Photography, like any art form, is not simply a one-size-fits-all discipline. It’s a world as wide and varied as the people who explore it, each practitioner bringing their own unique lens to bear upon the world around them. Over the years, various styles and techniques have emerged and evolved, becoming recognized as distinct genres within the larger umbrella of photography. Let’s explore some of these styles, and the techniques often employed within them.

Photography and Cinematography Styles

Each of these styles encompasses a different perspective of the world, offering unique opportunities for creativity and exploration. As your understanding of these styles evolves, you may find yourself drawn to particular ones. Explore, experiment, and enjoy the process of discovery.

Abstract Photography	Analogue Photography	Polaroid Photography	Instant Photography	Beauty Photography
Candid	Documentary	Glamour Photography	High Fashion	Large Format
Lifestyle Photography	Modernist	Paparazzi	Pictorialist Style	Pinhole Photography
Street Fashion	Surrealist	Tintype Photography	Environmental Portraits	Editorial Portraits
Conceptual Portraits	Business Portraits	Family Portraits	Maternity Portraits	Newborn Portraits
Boudoir Portraits	Fitness Photography	Fine Art Photography	Nude Art Photography	Double Exposure
Expired Polaroid Film	Photo Novella	Headshot Photography	Fine Art Portrait	Underwater Portrait
Smoke Bomb Portrait	Levitation Portrait	Silhouette Portrait	Infrared Portrait	Composite Portrait
Bokeh Portrait	Split Lighting Portrait	High Key Portrait	Low Key Portrait	Photo Comic
Long Exposure	Cross-Processing	Cinematic	Neon Lighting	Polaroid Style

The Language of Shots: Camera Angles in Photography

This section will act as a guide to the vast range of camera angles employed in both photography and cinematography to imbue each frame with the desired feeling or message. Recognizing and understanding these different camera angles is essential to capturing or interpreting a scene effectively.

Size & Detail	Character Relationship	Camera Angle	POV & Movement	Other
Close Up On Face	Over-the-Shoulder Shot	Low Angle / Low Angle	Point of View (POV) Shot	Establishing Shot
Full Body	Two-Shot	Eye Level Angle	Overhead Shot	Master Shot
Head Shot	Three-Shot	Dutch Angle	Top Shot	Single Shot
Upper Body	Group Shot	Worm’s Eye View	Bird’s Eye Shot	Detail Shot
Medium Close Up	Single Shot	High Angle Shot / High Angle	Reaction Shot	Insert Shot
Extreme Close Up	Cross Shot	Flat Angle	Follow Shot	Cutaway Shot
Long Shot	Multi-Shot	Oblique Angle	Whip Pan	Wide Shot
Medium Shot	Split Shot	Aerial Shot	Tilt Shot	Cowboy Shot
Full Shot	Reaction Shot	Underwater Shot	Dolly Shot	Profile Shot

The Visual Language of Cinematography

This section dives into the nuanced world of cinematic shots. From close-ups to aerial views, understanding these shot types can drastically enhance the storytelling capabilities of a filmmaker or photographer. These techniques provide a language through which artists can communicate visually, evoke emotions, and guide viewers’ attention.

Camera Movements	Shot Sizes and Angles	Cutting Techniques	Point of View	Miscellaneous
Aerial Shot	High Angle Shot	Jump Cut	Point of View (POV) Shot	Over-the-Shoulder Shot
Arc Shot	Low Angle Shot	Smash Cut	Two-Shot	Single Shot
Crane Shot	Eye Level Shot	Cross-cutting	Subjective Shot	Group Shot
Dolly Shot	Dutch Angle	Match Cut	Overhead Shot	Establishing Shot
Tracking Shot	Worm’s Eye View	Fade In/Out	Top Shot	Reaction Shot
Zoom Shot	Bird’s Eye Shot	Dissolve	Profile Shot	Montage
Tilt Shot	American Shot	Iris In/Out	Hand-held Shot	Sequence Shot
Pan Shot	Three-Shot	Wipe	Long Take	Insert Shot
Whip Pan	Two-Shot	L Cut	Steadicam Shot	Cutaway Shot
Master Shot	Group Shot	J Cut	Reverse Angle Shot	Whip Zoom Shot

Lighting Styles in Photography and Cinematography

Lighting is an essential aspect of both photography and cinematography, playing a vital role in setting the scene, creating mood, and revealing the texture and form of subjects. This section examines various lighting styles that artists can use to enhance their work and evoke specific emotions or reactions.

​Natural Light	Artificial Light	Mixed Light	Hard Light	Soft Light
Direct Light	Indirect Light	Low Key Lighting	High Key Lighting	Rembrandt Lighting
Split Lighting	Loop Lighting	Broad Lighting	Short Lighting	Butterfly Lighting
Flat Lighting	Side Lighting	Top Lighting	Under Lighting	Silhouette Lighting
Frontal Lighting	Chiaroscuro Lighting	Three-Point Lighting	Four-Point Lighting	High Contrast Lighting
Low Contrast Lighting	Motivated Lighting	Magic Hour Lighting	Golden Hour Lighting	Blue Hour Lighting
Twilight Lighting	Day for Night	Night for Day	Beauty Lighting	Paramount Lighting
Hollywood Lighting	Clamshell Lighting	Back Lighting	Rim Lighting	Fill Lighting
Key Lighting	Ambient Lighting	Practical Lighting	Dappled Light	Reflected Light
Soft Diffused Light	Window Light	Morning Light	Afternoon Light	Evening Light
Candlelight	Sunlight	Moonlight	Neon Lighting	Shadow Light / Shadow Play
Bounce Light	Fill-Flash	Cross Lighting	Rimlit / Edge Lighting	Broad and Short Lighting
Hatchet Lighting	Contraluz / Silhouetting	Overcast Light	Dawn Light	Dusk Light
Low Key	Sandwich Lighting	Cameo Lighting	Light Tent	Outdoor Reflector Light
Outdoor Shadow Light	Diffused Backlight	Barndoors	Stroboscopic Effect	Stage Lighting
Video Lighting	Fill Light	Catchlights	Backlighting (Hair Light)	Reflected Backlighting
Video Lighting	Fill Light	Catchlights	Backlighting (Hair Light)	Reflected Backlighting
Up Lighting	Down Lighting	God Rays	Flash Photography	Cinematic Lighting

Key Figures in Photography and Cinematography

Explore the inspiring work and unique styles of well-known artists in the fields of photography and cinematography. From pioneers who defined the medium to contemporary artists who continue to push the boundaries, this section offers a glimpse into their creativity and impact on the visual arts.

Ansel Adams	Dorothea Lange	Robert Capa	Richard Avedon	Henri Cartier-Bresson
Steve McCurry	Diane Arbus	Irving Penn	Man Ray	Alfred Stieglitz
Margaret Bourke-White	Annie Leibovitz	Cindy Sherman	Sebastião Salgado	Andreas Gursky
​Simon J. Morton	​Ryan Astamendi	​Brett Seeley	Andreas Gursky	​Sebastião Salgado
​Cindy Sherman	Nirav Patel	Margaret Bourke-White	​Alfred Stieglitz	​Man Ray
​Irving Penn	​Diane Arbus	Steve McCurry	Richard Avedon	Henri Cartier-Bresson
​Robert Capa	​Dorothea Lange	Ansel Adams	​Alex Timmermans	Alfred Stieglitz
Ando Fuchs	Anne Brigman	​August Sander	Brandon Woelfel	Chris Friel
David LaChapelle	Eugene Atget	Garry Winograd	George Hurrell	Germaine Krull
Hans Bellmer	​James Bidgood	Kim Keever	Lee Friedlander	Liam Wong
​Lotte Reiniger	Martin Schoeller	Mickalene Thomas	Miko Lagerstedt	Miles Aldridge
Misha Gordin	Nan Goldin	​Nathan Wirth	Nick Knight	Oleg Oprisco
Oskar Fischinger	Paolo Roversi	Paul Barson	Richard Avedon	Tim Walker
​Sean Archer	​Tyler Shields	​Walker Evans	Wes Anderson	​Yousuf Karsh

A Guide to Cameras and Lenses

This section provides an overview of the tools that help bring creative visions to life. From retro to digital cameras and a variety of lenses, understanding their features and capabilities can empower artists to choose the right tool for their artistic goals.

​Cinema Cameras	Digital Cameras	​Retro Cameras	Film Types	Lens
Aaton LTR	Canon EOS 5D	Diana F+	Agfa Vista	50mm
​ARRI ALEXA 65	Fujifilm X-T4	Hasselblad 500CM	Cinestill 800T	8mm Fisheye Lens
Bolex H16	GoPro Hero	HOLGA 120n	Ektar 100	Voigtländer
RED Digital Cinema	Hasselblad X1D II	Kodak Brownie	Ilford HP5 Plus	Nokton 50mm f1.1
Canon Cinema EOS C300 Mark III	Lumix GH5	Kodak Funsaver	Kodak Vision3 IMAX	35mm Lens
Sony Venice	Pentax 645Z	Leica M3	Kodak Vision3	85mm Portrait Lens
Panasonic Varicam LT	Sony A7III	Rolleiflex	Lomochrome color film	70-200mm Telephoto Zoom Lens
Blackmagic Design Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K G2	Leica T	Polaroid SX-70	Porta 160	100mm Macro Lens
ARRI Amira	Nikon Z7 II	Nikon F3	Tri-X 400	24-70mm Standard Zoom Lens
RED Komodo	Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III	Canon AE-1	Velvia 100	14-24mm Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
AJA CION	Sigma fp L	Contax RTS	Fujicolor Pro	300mm Super Telephoto Lens

Color and Aesthetics

An Overview of Filters and Photographic Effects

Filters and photographic effects offer limitless potential for artists to manipulate and enhance their work. They can drastically alter the mood, tone, and overall look of a photo or film, providing an added layer of creativity and complexity.

black and white	color filter	bokeh	desaturated grunge filter	Orton Effect
Cross-Processing	Lo-Fi	Monochrome	Toy Camera	Light Leak
dreamy haze	glitch style	hologram effect	infrared filter	lens flare
sepia tone	soft focus	solarized	long exposure	ND filter
overexposed	technicolor	underexposed	vignette	Cross Processing Effect
Collage	Double Exposure	Infrared	Selective Color	Split Tone

Exploration of Aesthetics & Cinematographic Styles

Every artist has a unique way of seeing and interpreting the world. This section explores various aesthetics and cinematographic styles that are popular today, showcasing how artists can create distinct visual narratives that reflect their personal vision.

Classic Hollywood Cinema	German Expressionism	French New Wave	Italian Neorealism	Japanese New Wave
New Hollywood	Film Noir	Wes Anderson Style	High Contrast	Low Key
High Key	Sepia Tone	Black and White	Neon Punk	​Kawaii
Cyberpunk	80’s Aesthetic	Retro	Pastel	Minimalist
Neo Noir	Gritty	Grunge	Naturalistic	Surreal
Magical Realism	​Dreamy	Rustic	Street	Monochromatic
Bohemian	Futuristic/Futurism	Gothic	Surrealist	High Fashion
Near Future	Sin City	Neon Noir	Punk Aesthetic	Hipster Aesthetic
Documentary-style	Pop Art	Abstract	Industrial	Glitch
Psychedelic	Duotone	​Color Splash	Holga-esque	Hipster Vintage
Gothic	Slasher Film	Paranormal Horror	Psychological Horror	Zombie Apocalypse
Boho Aesthetic	Minimalist	Harajuku Aesthetic	Glam Aesthetic	Preppy Aesthetic
Horror	Noon Punk	Sporty Aesthetic	Nautical Aesthetic	Rockabilly Aesthetic
Lolita Aesthetic	Fairy Kei Aesthetic	Vaporwave Aesthetic	Dark Academia	Light Academia
E-girl Aesthetic	E-boy Aesthetic	Soft Girl Aesthetic	Soft Boy Aesthetic	Baddie Aesthetic
Indie Aesthetic	Y2K Aesthetic	Art Hoe Aesthetic	K-pop Aesthetic	Moroccan Aesthetic
Hawaiian Aesthetic	Safari Aesthetic	Military Aesthetic	Western Aesthetic	Rave Aesthetic
Space Aesthetic	Witch Aesthetic	Royal Aesthetic	Hippie Aesthetic	Mod Aesthetic
Skater Aesthetic	Surfer Aesthetic	Biker Aesthetic	Gamer Aesthetic	Anime Aesthetic
Flapper Aesthetic	Regency Aesthetic	Victorian Aesthetic	Medieval Aesthetic	Bladerunner Aesthetic
Pulp comics	90’s Vintage Magazine	Super Model 90’s	Style of outrun	Renaissance
Baroque	Roaring Twenties	Rock and Roll	Hanfu Aesthetic	Techwear Aesthetic
Fusion Wear Aesthetic	Sustainable Fashion Aesthetic	Shibuya Aesthetic	Mori Girl Aesthetic	Gyaru Aesthetic
Larme Kei Aesthetic	Visual Kei Aesthetic	Decora Aesthetic	Otome Kei Aesthetic	Ura-Hara Aesthetic

Conclusion

Photography and cinematography are captivating forms of art that blend technical skills with creative vision. By understanding the language of shots, mastering the use of lighting, exploring different aesthetics, employing various camera gear and filters, and learning from the masters, you can significantly enhance your artistic capabilities.

However, the value of this knowledge extends beyond just creating beautiful images and compelling narratives. It also serves as a powerful tool in image prompting or prompt engineering. Whether you’re a content creator, a visual artist, or simply someone passionate about the visual arts, being fluent in these elements will enable you to guide your creative process more effectively and achieve your desired results with greater precision.

This blog is intended to be a continually updated resource, an evolving encyclopedia of styles, techniques, and artistic perspectives. As such, your input is invaluable. If there’s an artist, style, technique, or piece of equipment you’d like us to explore further, please leave a comment below. Your contribution will enrich this resource and help us build a comprehensive guide that everyone can use as a reference and draw inspiration from.

By sharing and learning from each other, we can all contribute to the rich and diverse world of visual storytelling.

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Learning Stable Diffusion 101:

• How to Install Stable Diffusion Web UI
• Mastering the Automatic1111 User Interface: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
• Prompt Weights & Punctuations – How to use it in Automatic1111- Stable Diffusion
• Words of Power: The Essential Cheat Sheet for Super Prompts Techniques
• Maximize Your Workflow Efficiency: Pre-Planning with Stable Diffusion’s XYZ Plot
• How to Install Stable Diffusion SDXL 1.0: A Step-by-Step Guide