Prompting clinic: Jan 2026 rules for cleaner outputs

Jan 2026

Prompt quality improves when you write like you’re briefing a photographer, not a model: subject first, then environment, then a couple of anchors.

Anchors should be stable and reusable. If an anchor only works on one provider, it’s a liability for teams who need consistency.

Use one camera hint and keep it human: lens + angle. Avoid stacking multiple lenses, multiple angles, and competing lighting instructions.

Keep the negative block short and generic. “Blurry, warped edges, extra limbs” prevents common failures while letting the engine do its job.

For series work, vary one dial at a time: palette or framing, not both. This produces options that are comparable and easier to approve.

The fastest way to get better is to save what worked. Store prompts with thumbnails and short notes so you don’t relearn the same lesson next month.