Nano Banana Prompt Engineering: 15 Advanced Techniques for Perfect AI Images (2025)

Nano Banana's unique architecture—built on Google's Gemini foundation—responds to nuanced prompt engineering that other AI image generators miss. This guide reveals 15 advanced techniques used by professional AI artists to achieve exceptional results.

Unlike keyword-stuffing approaches that work on older models, Nano Banana excels with descriptive narrative prompts that leverage its natural language understanding and lightning-fast iteration speed.

Understanding Nano Banana's Strengths

Before diving into techniques, understand what makes Nano Banana unique:

✅ Natural Language Processing: Gemini foundation understands complex sentences ✅ Context Awareness: Remembers conversation history for iterative editing ✅ Speed: 1-2 second generation enables rapid experimentation ✅ Physics Understanding: Accurately simulates light behavior, materials, camera effects

These strengths inform the techniques below.

Technique 1: Describe Light Behavior, Not Just "Good Lighting"

❌ Weak Approach

"Portrait with good lighting"

✅ Advanced Technique

"Portrait lit by window light from the left, creating soft gradient
from highlight to shadow across face, catchlights visible in eyes,
background gradually darkening from left to right"

Why it works: Nano Banana understands how light behaves physically. Describing direction, quality (soft/hard), and effect produces dramatically better results than abstract quality descriptors.

Examples of Light Behavior Descriptions

Golden Hour:

"Golden hour sunlight at 15 degrees above horizon, warm color temperature
around 3000K, long shadows stretching across scene, soft quality from
atmospheric diffusion"

Rembrandt Lighting:

"Key light positioned 45 degrees to subject's left and above eye level,
creating characteristic triangle of light on shadowed cheek, fill light
at 1:4 ratio preventing pure black shadows"

Overcast Soft Light:

"Completely overcast sky acting as giant softbox, eliminating all harsh
shadows, even diffused illumination from above, slight coolness to color
temperature"

Pro Tip: Study photography lighting diagrams and describe setups in physical terms—Nano Banana translates them accurately.

Technique 2: Use Camera Specifications to Control Technical Rendering

Why Camera Specs Matter

Including camera + lens influences:

Perspective distortion (wide vs telephoto compression)
Depth of field characteristics
Bokeh shape and quality
Color rendering and "film" look
Technical quality signals

Camera Spec Template

"shot on [CAMERA BODY] with [LENS] lens, f/[APERTURE], [ADDITIONAL SPECS]"

Real Examples

Shallow Depth Portrait:

"shot on Sony A7IV with 85mm f/1.4 GM lens, f/1.4, creating creamy bokeh
with soft background blur and subject isolation"

Effect: Produces characteristic 85mm compression, shallow depth, smooth bokeh

Wide Angle Environmental:

"shot on Canon R5 with 16-35mm f/2.8 at 20mm, f/8 for front-to-back
sharpness, slight wide-angle perspective distortion"

Effect: Wide field of view, deeper depth of field, subtle edge distortion

Medium Format Commercial:

"shot on Hasselblad H6D-100c with 80mm lens, f/5.6, medium format look
with exceptional sharpness and tonal gradation"

Effect: Commercial quality signal, precise rendering, specific color science

Film Aesthetic:

"shot on Fujifilm X-T4 with 35mm f/1.4, film simulation mode, slightly
warmer color science, subtle grain texture"

Effect: Filmic color rendering, organic feel

Aperture Control

f/1.2 - f/2: Extremely shallow depth, strong subject isolation, dreamy bokeh f/2.8 - f/4: Moderate depth, commercial portrait standard f/5.6 - f/8: Deeper depth for environmental context f/11 - f/16: Landscape depth, front-to-back sharpness

Technique 3: Layer Details Progressively (Not All at Once)

Nano Banana's 1-2 second speed enables a progressive layering workflow impossible with slower tools.

Progressive Layering Workflow

Step 1: Establish Core Subject (~1.5 sec)

"Woman in her 30s sitting at cafe table"

Step 2: Add Environmental Context (~1 sec)

"Add large windows behind her showing rainy street outside"

Step 3: Refine Lighting (~1 sec)

"Make lighting softer and warmer, coming from window"

Step 4: Enhance Details (~1 sec)

"Add steam rising from coffee cup on table, plants visible in background"

Step 5: Final Mood (~1 sec)

"Slightly increase contrast and add warm color grade"

Total Time: ~6 seconds for fully refined image

Alternative approach (single prompt): Often produces confusion with competing elements. Progressive layering gives you control over priority.

Technique 4: Use Action Verbs for Precise Editing

When editing existing images, action verb specificity dramatically improves accuracy.

Action Verb Library

Add: Insert new element

"Add soft bokeh lights in the background"
"Add person walking in far distance"

Remove: Delete element

"Remove the car from left side"
"Remove all people from scene"

Change: Replace or modify

"Change background to mountain landscape"
"Change time of day to sunset"

Replace: Specific substitution

"Replace the blue car with red vintage convertible"
"Replace concrete wall with brick texture"

Adjust: Modify property

"Adjust lighting to be more dramatic"
"Adjust color palette to cooler tones"

Move: Reposition element

"Move the cat from right to left side"
"Move subject closer to camera"

Enhance: Strengthen existing element

"Enhance the sunset colors to be more vibrant"
"Enhance shadow contrast"

Bad vs Good Editing Examples

❌ Vague:

"Make it better"
"Fix the background"
"Improve the lighting"

✅ Specific:

"Increase warm tones in highlights by 15%, add subtle vignette"
"Replace busy background with soft gradient from gray to white"
"Add rim light from behind subject at camera right, warm color temperature"

Technique 5: Mood Through Environmental Conditions (Not Abstract Descriptors)

❌ Abstract Mood Descriptors

"Mysterious mood"
"Dramatic atmosphere"
"Peaceful feeling"

Problem: Abstract = subjective interpretation

✅ Environmental Conditions That Create Mood

Mystery:

"Thick fog obscuring objects beyond 20 feet, single streetlight creating
pool of light, shadows suggesting shapes but details unclear, muted color
palette dominated by grays and blues"

Drama:

"Storm clouds gathering overhead, wind bending grass and tree branches,
pre-storm golden light breaking through cloud gaps creating spotlights
on landscape, high contrast between light and shadow"

Peace:

"Completely still water reflecting surroundings like mirror, soft morning
light with no harsh shadows, pastel color palette, subtle mist on water
surface, no movement or action"

Energy:

"Motion blur on moving subjects, vibrant saturated colors, dynamic diagonal
compositions, multiple light sources creating complexity, visible action frozen
mid-movement"

Nostalgia:

"Slightly faded colors suggesting aged photograph, warm golden tones,
soft focus around edges, subtle grain texture, 1970s styling and objects"

Technique 6: Specify Materials and Textures

Material descriptions help Nano Banana render surfaces accurately.

Material Description Examples

Metals:

"Brushed stainless steel with linear grain pattern, subtle reflections
showing environment, cool color temperature"

"Polished brass with warm golden color, sharp reflections, slight tarnish
in recessed areas"

Fabrics:

"Chunky knit wool sweater with visible texture and depth, soft appearance,
warm cream color"

"Smooth silk fabric with subtle sheen, draping naturally with soft folds,
reflecting light from folds creating dimension"

Natural Materials:

"Weathered barn wood with gray patina, grain visible, some boards warped,
nails rusted"

"Smooth river stone, wet from water, reflecting light, cool gray color
with warm tan inclusions"

Glass:

"Clear glass with subtle reflections and refractions, transparency allowing
background visible through distortion, highlights from light sources"

Technique 7: Camera Angles and Composition Terminology

Using photography composition terms produces more controlled results.

Angle Terminology

Eye Level: Standard perspective, subject at camera height Low Angle: Camera below subject looking up (creates power/dominance) High Angle: Camera above subject looking down (creates vulnerability) Dutch Angle: Tilted horizon (creates tension/unease) Bird's Eye: Directly overhead looking down Worm's Eye: Ground level looking up

Composition Terms

Rule of Thirds:

"Subject positioned at right third intersection point, landscape extending
across frame following rule of thirds"

Leading Lines:

"Road leading from foreground to background, creating depth and guiding
eye toward vanishing point where subject stands"

Frame Within Frame:

"Subject visible through doorway, doorway frame creating natural frame,
depth from foreground door to background subject"

Symmetry:

"Perfectly symmetrical composition with subject centered, architectural
elements mirrored left and right, balanced formal composition"

Negative Space:

"Subject occupying lower left quarter of frame, remaining three-quarters
empty sky creating breathing room and emphasis on isolation"

Technique 8: Time-Specific Lighting for Consistency

Different times of day have specific lighting characteristics.

Time-of-Day Lighting Guide

Sunrise (6-7 AM):

"Sunrise light at 5-10 degrees above horizon, cool to warm color transition,
long shadows, soft quality from low angle, pastel sky colors"

Morning (8-10 AM):

"Morning light at 30-45 degrees, warm but not golden, shadows still present
but shorter, clear quality, fresh atmosphere"

Midday (11 AM - 1 PM):

"Harsh overhead sun at 80+ degrees, minimal shadows directly below objects,
high contrast, neutral color temperature, bright overall"

Afternoon (2-4 PM):

"Afternoon light at 45-30 degrees descending, warm neutral color, moderate
shadows lengthening, clear sharp quality"

Golden Hour (30 min before sunset):

"Golden hour at 5-10 degrees above horizon, warm 3000K color temperature,
long dramatic shadows, soft atmospheric diffusion, golden glow on subjects"

Blue Hour (30 min after sunset):

"Blue hour twilight, sun below horizon, cool blue ambient light, no direct
shadows, artificial lights beginning to dominate, deep blue sky"

Night:

"Night scene, artificial light sources only (streetlights, windows, etc.),
high contrast between lit and dark areas, cool or warm depending on light type"

Technique 9: Cultural and Period Accuracy

For historical or culturally-specific images, include temporal/cultural markers.

Period-Specific Details

1920s Art Deco:

"1920s Parisian cafe terrace, art deco furniture with geometric patterns,
period-accurate clothing (flapper dresses, cloche hats), vintage Peugeot
automobile in background, sepia-toned photograph aesthetic"

1950s Americana:

"1950s American diner, chrome fixtures and red vinyl booths, jukebox visible,
Coca-Cola signage with period-correct logo, customers in 50s fashion,
Kodachrome color palette"

Medieval European:

"Medieval European village, timber-frame buildings with thatched roofs,
dirt roads, people in period-accurate peasant clothing, no modern elements,
overcast northern European light"

Cultural Specificity

Japanese Traditional:

"Traditional Japanese tea house with tatami mats, shoji screens diffusing
natural light, tokonoma alcove with seasonal flower arrangement, sliding
fusuma doors, authentic architectural proportions"

Moroccan:

"Moroccan riad courtyard with zellige tilework in geometric patterns,
central fountain, horseshoe arches, carved cedar wood details, filtered
light from above, authentic Islamic architectural elements"

Technique 10: Negative Space and Minimalism

Deliberately describing empty space creates powerful minimalist compositions.

Minimalist Prompt Structure

"[SMALL SUBJECT] in [POSITION], surrounded by [LARGE EMPTY SPACE DESCRIPTION],
[COLOR/TEXTURE OF EMPTY SPACE], [LIGHTING QUALITY]"

Examples

Minimalist Portrait:

"Single person standing in lower left quarter of frame, remaining
three-quarters pure white seamless background, soft even lighting
eliminating all shadows, minimalist commercial aesthetic"

Minimalist Product:

"Small product centered on pure white surface, white background extending
to infinity, product sharp while background gradually soft-focuses to pure
white, one shadow suggesting single light source"

Minimalist Landscape:

"Single tree on horizon line positioned at right third, massive empty sky
occupying upper two-thirds in gradient from pale blue to white, flat
prairie in lower third, absolute simplicity"

Technique 11: Color Palette Specification

Control color scientifically rather than subjectively.

Color Specification Methods

Temperature:

"Warm color palette dominated by oranges and reds (3000-3500K color temperature)"
"Cool color palette with blues and teals (5500-6500K color temperature)"

Saturation:

"Highly saturated colors at 90-100% saturation, vibrant bold appearance"
"Desaturated muted colors at 30-40% saturation, subtle sophisticated palette"

Named Palettes:

"Color palette inspired by Wes Anderson films: pastel pink, mint green,
cream, muted orange, symmetrical composition"

"Cyberpunk color scheme: neon magenta, electric blue, deep purple, black,
high contrast"

Specific Colors:

"Dominated by burnt sienna (#E97451), cream (#FFFDD0), and charcoal (#36454F),
no other colors present"

Technique 12: Depth and Layering

Create dimensional images by describing foreground, midground, background.

Three-Layer Prompt Structure

"[FOREGROUND ELEMENT with sharp focus], [MIDGROUND SUBJECT slightly softer],
[BACKGROUND CONTEXT in soft blur], shot on [LENS creating depth], [APERTURE]"

Examples

Portrait with Depth:

"Foreground: flowers in sharp focus at bottom of frame, Midground: woman's
face in focus 6 feet from camera, Background: city street in soft bokeh blur,
shot on 85mm f/1.4, f/1.8 creating depth separation"

Landscape Layers:

"Foreground: detailed wildflowers sharp in bottom third, Midground: alpine
meadow with defined texture, Background: snow-capped mountains in slight
atmospheric haze, shot on 24-70mm at 35mm, f/8"

Product Context:

"Foreground: product in sharp focus, Midground: related items slightly
out of focus suggesting context, Background: soft blurred environment
indicating setting, shot on 100mm macro, f/4"

Technique 13: Iteration Strategy Using Speed

Nano Banana's 1-2 second generation enables unique iteration strategies.

Rapid Iteration Workflow

Technique: Generate 5-10 Variations Simultaneously

Base prompt variations:

1. "Portrait with window light from left"
2. "Portrait with window light from right"
3. "Portrait with window light from above"
4. "Portrait with backlight from window"
5. "Portrait with reflected window light from below"

Time: 10 seconds total (vs. 2-5 minutes with other tools)

Benefit: See all options before committing to direction

A/B Testing for Optimal Results

Test single variables:

Base: "Product on white background, shot on Hasselblad, f/8"

Test 1: "...f/8" (deeper depth)
Test 2: "...f/4" (moderate depth)
Test 3: "...f/2.8" (shallow depth)

Time: 6 seconds to test 3 apertures

Technique 14: Emotion Through Body Language and Expression

Describe physical manifestations of emotions, not emotions themselves.

❌ Abstract Emotion

"Happy person"
"Sad portrait"

✅ Physical Manifestation

Joy:

"Genuine Duchenne smile with crow's feet at eyes, shoulders relaxed and
slightly elevated, open body posture, head tilted slightly back, hands
gesturing openly"

Contemplation:

"Hand touching chin, eyes gazing into distance slightly unfocused, slight
furrow in brow, body angled away from camera, stillness suggesting deep thought"

Confidence:

"Direct eye contact with camera, shoulders back and down, chin parallel to
ground, relaxed but upright posture, slight asymmetrical smile"

Vulnerability:

"Eyes looking downward or away from camera, shoulders slightly hunched forward,
arms crossed or hands clasped, closed body language, soft uncertain expression"

Technique 15: Reference-Quality Over Quantity

When using references (artists, films, styles), be specific and use 1-2 max.

❌ Too Many References

"In the style of Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Dali"

Problem: Conflicting styles produce muddy results

✅ Specific Single Reference

Photography Style:

"Environmental portrait in style of Annie Leibovitz's commercial work:
subject in natural environment meaningful to their profession, environmental
storytelling, strong composition, medium format quality"

Film Cinematography:

"Cinematography style of Blade Runner 2049: strong geometric composition,
fog/atmosphere creating depth, orange and teal color grading, practical
light sources in frame, wide aspect ratio"

Painting Movement:

"Composition and color palette of Edward Hopper: strong geometric shapes,
isolation and emptiness, warm sunlight through windows creating sharp
shadows, americana setting, psychological mood through environment"

Putting It All Together: Master Prompt Example

Here's a prompt using multiple advanced techniques:

Portrait of female architect in her 30s standing in modern concrete building
under construction (SUBJECT),

foreground: construction materials in slight blur, midground: subject in
sharp focus 8 feet from camera, background: construction workers and
steel framework in soft bokeh (DEPTH/LAYERS),

late afternoon golden hour sunlight at 30 degrees streaming through open
framework creating dramatic light rays visible in atmospheric dust, warm
3200K color temperature, side lighting creating gradient from highlight
to shadow across face (LIGHTING),

subject positioned at right third of frame, leading lines from construction
elements directing eye toward subject, negative space in upper left
(COMPOSITION),

shot on Sony A7IV with 85mm f/1.4 GM lens, f/2 for background separation,
shallow depth of field (CAMERA),

subject wearing hard hat and safety vest, confident expression shown through
direct eye contact and relaxed shoulders, architectural blueprints visible
in background suggesting profession (DETAILS),

color palette: warm golden tones from sunlight, cool gray concrete, high-vis
orange vest as accent color (COLOR),

commercial editorial aesthetic for architecture magazine, professional
yet approachable mood through warm lighting and authentic environment
(STYLE/MOOD)

Why this works: Combines specific lighting, camera specs, composition, layering, and emotional cues for controlled results.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake 1: Keyword Stuffing

"Beautiful, stunning, amazing, high quality, 4k, photorealistic, detailed"

Problem: Quality descriptors don't inform Nano Banana's rendering

❌ Mistake 2: Conflicting Instructions

"Bright sunny day with dark moody lighting"

Problem: Contradictory elements confuse the model

❌ Mistake 3: Over-Specification in Single Prompt

[300-word single prompt with 20 different elements]

Problem: Use iterative editing instead—faster and more controlled

❌ Mistake 4: Ignoring Nano Banana's Speed

Using it like slower tools—single prompt, wait, accept result Solution: Iterate rapidly—leverage the 1-2 second advantage

Practice Exercise

Try these prompts to master techniques:

Exercise 1: Light Behavior Generate same subject with 3 different light descriptions:

Hard directional light
Soft diffused light
Dramatic Rembrandt lighting

Exercise 2: Camera Control Same scene with 3 different camera specs:

Wide angle (24mm f/8)
Portrait lens (85mm f/1.4)
Medium format (Hasselblad 80mm f/4)

Exercise 3: Iterative Refinement Base prompt → Add lighting → Change background → Adjust mood (4 total iterations in ~6 seconds)

Conclusion

Mastering Nano Banana prompt engineering requires understanding its unique strengths:

✅ Natural language understanding (describe, don't keyword stuff) ✅ Physical accuracy (light behavior, materials, camera effects) ✅ Context awareness (conversational iterative editing) ✅ Speed (leverage for rapid experimentation)

The 15 techniques in this guide move you from beginner to advanced prompter. Start with 2-3 techniques, master them, then add more to your toolkit.

Most important takeaway: Use Nano Banana's speed advantage. Generate 10 variations in the time competitors make 1—then select and refine the best.

Next Steps

Practice daily: Generate 10-20 images per day using techniques
Study photography: Lighting, composition, and camera knowledge translates directly
Analyze successful prompts: Reverse-engineer community favorites
Experiment systematically: Change one variable at a time to understand effects
Build prompt library: Save successful prompts for future reuse/modification

Data Sources & Verification

Primary Sources:

Max Woolf's Blog: "Nano Banana can be prompt engineered for extremely nuanced AI image generation" (November 2025)
Simon Willison: Technical analysis of Nano Banana prompt engineering (November 2025)
Atlabs AI: "Ultimate Nano Banana Prompting Guide" (2025)
GitHub - awesome-nanobanana-pro: Community prompt engineering patterns
Professional photographer lighting and composition references (standardized terminology)

Testing: All techniques tested on Nano Banana (Gemini 2.5 Flash Image) December 2025.

Last Updated: December 14, 2025