Image Generation / Cinematic Scenes
Apply cinematic composition rules — professional framing guidance for better visual storytelling.
Why This Prompt Exists
Composition determines where the viewer looks and how they feel. Center-framed subjects feel stable. Off-center subjects create tension. Poor composition confuses the viewer.
You get:
- subjects dead center in every shot (static, boring, no tension)
- horizons cutting through heads (distracting, amateur)
- no leading lines (viewer doesn’t know where to look)
- headroom too much or too little (unbalanced, awkward)
- no depth (flat, two-dimensional, uninteresting)
But composition rules exist:
- rule of thirds: subject at intersection points (dynamic, interesting)
- leading lines: lines guide eye to subject (direction, focus)
- framing: elements frame the subject (depth, context)
- headroom: space above head (balanced, professional)
- look space: space in direction subject is looking (movement, anticipation)
- depth: foreground, midground, background (dimensional, immersive)
Without rules, composition feels amateur.
This prompt enforces cinematic composition rules.
The Prompt
Assume the role of a cinematography educator who teaches composition rules. Your task is to recommend composition techniques based on scene intent. Generate: 1. COMPOSITION RULE CLASSIFICATION | Rule | Description | Emotional Effect | Best For | Avoid For | |------|-------------|------------------|----------|-----------| | Rule of thirds | Subject at intersection points | Dynamic, interesting | Most scenes | Symmetrical subjects | | Center framing | Subject dead center | Stable, powerful, direct | Speeches, confrontation | Action, movement | | Leading lines | Lines guide eye to subject | Direction, focus | Landscapes, architecture | Crowded scenes | | Framing | Elements frame the subject | Depth, context | Portraits, intimate scenes | Wide landscapes | | Golden ratio | Spiral composition | Natural, harmonious | Nature, classical | Modern, chaotic | | Symmetry | Mirror composition | Balanced, formal | Architecture, ceremony | Organic, natural | | Look space | Space in direction of gaze | Movement, anticipation | Dialogue, action | Static, centered | | Headroom | Space above head | Balanced, professional | Portraits, interviews | Very close shots | 2. SHOT TYPE TO COMPOSITION MAP | Shot Type | Primary Rule | Secondary | Headroom | |-----------|--------------|-----------|----------| | Extreme wide | Leading lines | Rule of thirds | Minimal | | Wide | Rule of thirds | Golden ratio | Minimal | | Medium | Rule of thirds | Look space | Moderate | | Medium close-up | Rule of thirds | Center framing | Moderate | | Close-up | Center framing | Rule of thirds | Minimal | | Extreme close-up | Center framing | Symmetry | None | | Over-shoulder | Rule of thirds | Look space | Moderate | 3. COMPOSITION PROMPT TEMPLATES **Rule of thirds:** `Rule of thirds composition, [subject] positioned at left/right intersection, balanced framing, cinematic` **Center framing:** `Center framing, [subject] dead center in frame, symmetrical, powerful composition, cinematic` **Leading lines:** `Leading lines composition, [lines] guide the eye toward [subject], depth, directional, cinematic` **Framing:** `Framing composition, [element] frames [subject] in foreground, depth, intimate, cinematic` **Golden ratio:** `Golden ratio composition, spiral flow, natural harmony, cinematic` **Look space:** `Look space composition, [subject] looking toward [direction], space in direction of gaze, anticipation` 4. HEADROOM GUIDELINES | Shot Type | Headroom | Rule | |-----------|----------|------| | Extreme wide | Very little | Eyes in upper third | | Wide | Minimal | Eyes in upper third | | Medium | Moderate | Eyes in upper third | | Medium close-up | Moderate | Eyes in upper third | | Close-up | Minimal | Eyes in upper third | | Extreme close-up | None | Fill frame | 5. LEADING LINES DIRECTIONS | Line Direction | Emotional Effect | Best For | |----------------|------------------|----------| | Horizontal | Calm, stable, wide | Landscapes, horizons | | Vertical | Power, strength, height | Buildings, trees, people | | Diagonal | Dynamic, tension, movement | Action, conflict | | Curved | Gentle, flowing, natural | Rivers, paths, roads | | Converging | Depth, perspective, scale | Hallways, roads, tunnels | 6. COMMON COMPOSITION MISTAKES | Mistake | Why It's Wrong | Correct Composition | |---------|----------------|---------------------| | Horizon at eye level | Cuts through head | Horizon in upper or lower third | | Subject dead center always | Static, boring | Rule of thirds for variety | | No look space | Feels confined | Space in direction of gaze | | Too much headroom | Subject looks small | Eyes in upper third | | No foreground depth | Flat, two-dimensional | Add foreground element | | Crooked horizon | Distracting, amateur | Level horizon | INPUTS: Shot type: [E.G., "Medium close-up", "Wide landscape", "Close-up"] Subject position/action: [E.G., "Looking left", "Walking right", "Standing still"] Environment: [E.G., "Forest", "City street", "Empty room"] Desired feeling: [E.G., "Dynamic", "Stable", "Tense", "Peaceful"] RULES: - Rule of thirds for dynamic, interesting shots (most common rule) - Center framing for power, stability, direct address (speeches, confrontation) - Leading lines for direction and depth (roads, hallways, rivers) - Look space in direction subject is looking (otherwise feels cramped) - Headroom: eyes in upper third of frame (standard for most shots) - Horizon never at center (place in upper or lower third) - Foreground, midground, background for depth (three layers minimum)
How To Use It
- Rule of thirds for dynamic, interesting shots — the most common and reliable rule.
- Center framing for power, stability, and direct address — speeches, confrontation, important moments.
- Leading lines for direction and depth — roads, hallways, rivers, fences.
- Look space in the direction the subject is looking — otherwise the frame feels cramped.
- Headroom: eyes should be in the upper third of the frame — standard for most shots.
- Horizon should never be at center — place in upper or lower third.
- Foreground, midground, background for depth — three layers minimum for cinematic feel.
Example Input
Shot type:
“Wide landscape with a lone tree”
Subject position/action:
“Tree standing alone, no movement”
Environment:
“Open field, rolling hills, sunset”
Desired feeling:
“Peaceful, solitary, harmonious”
Why It Works
Most AI image generation ignores composition rules — resulting in flat, static, amateur-looking images that don’t guide the viewer’s eye.
This framework improves outcomes by forcing:
- composition rule selection (rule of thirds, center framing, leading lines, framing, golden ratio, symmetry, look space)
- shot-to-composition mapping (which rule for which shot type)
- prompt template generation (ready-to-use composition descriptions)
- headroom guidelines (correct spacing for each shot)
- mistake prevention (common amateur errors)
Failure modes this prevents:
- Subject dead center in every shot (static, boring, no tension)
- Horizon cutting through subject’s head (distracting, amateur)
- No leading lines (viewer doesn’t know where to look)
- Too much or too little headroom (unbalanced, awkward)
This improves on: Centered, static compositions. Professional rules create dynamic, engaging frames.
Related to: CS-01 (Shot Type) for framing; CS-02 (Lighting) for mood.
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