Practical guide · 5 min read

Get a usable image or video without burning through credits

Write the brief, test one variable at a time and judge the output at its final size.

What you’ll finish with A clear creative brief and a shortlist of usable outputs.

AI-generated guidance. These are suggested workflows, not hands-on test results.

The walkthrough

Decide where the result will go
Write the dimensions, crop, subject and intended use before generating. A background for a headline needs empty space; a product explanation needs accurate details. Use real product photography when the exact device matters.
Make a small first experiment
Start with one composition or a short shot. Describe the subject, setting, lighting and camera position. Keep a record of the settings so you can reproduce a useful result.
Change one thing at a time
Adjust framing before changing lighting, style and motion together. For video, review the first and last frame as well as the movement between them. Set a retry budget before a difficult shot consumes the whole allowance.
Inspect the export
Check hands, text, logos and object continuity. View the file at the size readers will see. Verify export resolution, watermark rules and usage rights for your plan before using it publicly.

Text to start with

Replace the bracketed sections with your own details.

A wide editorial illustration of [subject] in [setting]. Composition: [framing], with clear space on the [side] for a headline. Lighting: [description]. Palette: [colors]. No text or logos. Intended use: [placement].

Check the result

Is the subject accurate enough for the intended use?
Does the crop still work on a phone?
Do the plan and any reference assets permit the intended use?

Before paying

Estimate the cost of a usable final asset, not one generation. Include failed attempts, upscaling and longer exports in your trial before buying a larger credit allowance.