Step 17 — Lighting in AI-Generated Images

Lighting transforms ordinary AI images into extraordinary visual experiences. Understanding lighting principles and how to communicate them through prompts elevates your AI art significantly. Proper lighting creates mood, depth, realism, and professional polish. Natural light references create believable, atmospheric images. Golden hour lighting produces warm, horizontal light at sunrise or sunset. Overcast daylight creates soft, even illumination. Harsh midday sun generates strong shadows and high contrast. Studio and theatrical lighting offers precise control. Three-point lighting references professional photography setups. Dramatic spotlight creates focused attention. Neon lighting suggests urban nighttime atmospheres. Soft diffused studio lighting produces flattering, even illumination. Light direction dramatically affects mood and appearance. Front lighting illuminates subjects evenly. Side lighting creates texture and dimension. Backlighting produces silhouettes or rim-lit effects. Bottom lighting creates dramatic, unusual moods.