The prompt formula for photorealistic AI images

A formula for prompting photorealistic AI images, tested by running the same scene (a man on a rainy Tokyo street) five times and changing only the prompt. The formula: Subject + Action + Environment + Lighting + Camera + Lens + Perspective + Composition + Natural imperfections + Mood What moves the needle: - Buzzwords alone ("ultra realistic, 8K, masterpiece") barely help. - Naming location, weather, clothing and lighting makes it believable. - Photography language (camera body, lens, aperture) makes the model imitate a real camera instead of digital art. The winning prompt: A documentary street photograph. A businessman walking alone through Shibuya Crossing during light rain just after sunset. Natural reflections on wet asphalt. Soft overcast lighting. People walking naturally in the background. Slight motion blur from passing vehicles. Captured candidly rather than posing for the camera. Shot on a Sony A7 IV using a 35mm lens at f/2.8. Eye-level perspective. Natural skin texture. Authentic clothing wrinkles. Subtle imperfections. Realistic color grading. Looks like an award-winning National Geographic photograph. No CGI. No digital art. No oversharpening.