A reference is copied faithfully, so anything in it that should not be in every shot is a problem. Places are drawn empty and still, props alone on grey, both in plain words with the camera named. To change a picture, write its whole prompt again.
Places
A place reference is empty and still.
WhyBirds or fish in a place reference get stuck in the video. The generator treats them as part of the still world, not as living things.
What we doNo people, no animals, nothing in motion. Fixed things are fine: moored boats, lit windows. The shots bring the life.
Hype words make a place look rendered.
Why"Magical", "impossible blue", "jewel-bright" and "not a render" gave us locations that looked like game art.
What we doDescribe it plainly, the way a location scout would. Name a camera and lens, f/8, natural light, and call it an unedited location photograph. Never "realistic" or "photoreal" on its own.
Props
A prop is alone, on grey.
WhyWhatever else is in a prop's picture comes along with the prop.
What we doThe object alone on a seamless mid-grey backdrop, whole in frame, soft even light, no hands, no text, no logos.
Fixing a picture
Rewrite the prompt. Do not edit the picture.
WhyEach time a picture is sent back to be changed, it loses quality and realism and gains noise.
What we doFold the change into the whole prompt and make the picture again, with only the character's face reference attached. The last picture is never an input.
Try ideas cheaply, finish dearly.
WhyMost options are thrown away, whatever they cost to make.
What we doCasting options and first tries at low quality and 1K. Raise the quality only for the picture you are keeping.