Uni-1 Field Guide

March 23, 2026

Uni-1 is not about writing the perfect prompt.

It’s about:

Start → Direct → Refine → Finish

You can prompt with:

  • short text
  • long detailed prompts
  • structured formats (JSON)
  • reference images
  • sketches / layouts

1. The “Fast Start” Prompt (best for 80% of use cases)

Template

A [subject], in [style], with [lighting], [camera/composition], [environment/background], mood: [emotion], details: [key specifics]

Example

A ceramic artist shaping a lopsided bowl, documentary photography style, soft window lighting, close-up shot, cluttered home studio background, mood: focused and quiet, details: clay-covered hands, imperfect texture, tools scattered on wooden table

When to use

  • Exploration
  • First ideas
  • Quick outputs

2. The “Cinematic Control” Prompt

Template

Subject: [who/what]

Style: [editorial / documentary / fine art / etc.]

Scene:
- Environment: [where]
- Time of day: [lighting context]
- Mood: [emotional tone]

Camera:
- Shot type: [close-up / wide / overhead]
- Lens: [35mm / 85mm / etc.]
- Composition: [framing approach]

Details:
- Textures: [materials]
- Motion: [if any]
- Extra: [small details that matter]

Example

Subject: A street tailor repairing a jacket

Style: documentary photography

Scene:
- Environment: sidewalk workshop with hanging fabrics
- Time of day: late afternoon natural light
- Mood: patient, intimate

Camera:
- Shot type: medium close-up
- Lens: 50mm
- Composition: slightly off-center, hands in focus

Details:
- Textures: worn fabric, frayed edges, thread spools
- Motion: subtle hand movement mid-stitch
- Extra: pins in mouth, chalk markings on fabric

When to use

  • Editorial visuals
  • Story-driven imagery
  • High-quality outputs

3. The “Direct Edit” Prompt

Template

Edit instructions:
- Change: [what to modify]
- Keep: [what must stay the same]
- Style shift: [optional]
- Lighting: [optional]
- Details: [specific adjustments]

Example

Edit instructions:
- Change: replace background with a quiet bookstore interior
- Keep: subject posture, clothing, and facial expression
- Style shift: slightly more warm and nostalgic
- Lighting: soft golden indoor lighting
- Details: add bookshelves with uneven stacks and handwritten notes

Pro tip

Always define what to keep (this prevents drift)

4. The “Multi-Reference Fusion” Prompt

Template

Combine the following:

IMAGE 1: [what it provides]
IMAGE 2: [what it provides]
IMAGE 3: [optional]

Output:
- Subject: [final image goal]
- Style: [dominant style]
- Composition: [layout guidance]
- Details: [specific merges]

Example

Combine the following:

IMAGE 1: a vintage portrait (use for pose and framing)
IMAGE 2: a modern fashion editorial (use for styling and lighting)
IMAGE 3: textured paper background (use for surface quality)

Output:
- Subject: a contemporary portrait with vintage posture
- Style: editorial with subtle retro influence
- Composition: centered subject, clean framing
- Details: blend modern clothing with aged texture finish

When to use

  • Style blending
  • Character consistency
  • Editorial work

5. The “Layout Control” Prompt

Template

Layout instructions:

[LEFT]: [object + description]
[CENTER]: [object + description]
[RIGHT]: [object + description]
[BACKGROUND]: [environment]

Style: [style]
Lighting: [lighting]

Example

Layout instructions:

LEFT: a stack of handwritten letters tied with string
CENTER: a wooden desk with an open notebook
RIGHT: a cup of tea with steam rising
BACKGROUND: softly lit room with a window

Style: still life photography
Lighting: soft morning natural light

Pro tip

Treat this like directing a photoshoot

6. The “Storyboard Generator”

Template

Create a storyboard with [X] frames.

Story:
[short narrative]

Frame details:
1. [scene]
2. [scene]
3. [scene]

Style: [style]
Consistency: same characters and setting

Example

Create a storyboard with 4 frames.

Story:
A baker wakes up early to prepare bread for the day.

Frame details:
1. Dim kitchen, flour being poured
2. Hands kneading dough on wooden surface
3. Oven light glowing with rising bread
4. Morning customers entering small bakery

Style: warm, documentary realism
Consistency: same space and character throughout

7. The “Loose / Creative Mode”

Template

[vibes, fragments, ideas, emotions]

Example

quiet morning, dust in sunlight, old apartment, slightly messy, books everywhere, slow life, soft textures, calm, lived-in feeling

When to use

  • Mood exploration
  • Unexpected ideas
  • Early ideation

8. The “Structured JSON” Prompt

Template

{
"subject": "",
"style": "",
"environment": "",
"lighting": "",
"camera": {
"shot": "",
"lens": "",
"composition": ""
},
"details": []
}

Example

{
"subject": "elderly man repairing a watch",
"style": "fine art photography",
"environment": "small workshop filled with tools",
"lighting": "soft directional window light",
"camera": {
"shot": "close-up",
"lens": "85mm",
"composition": "tight framing on hands"
},
"details": ["tiny screws", "dust particles", "aged skin texture"]
}

Core Workflows

Workflow 1: Idea → Final Image

  1. Start with Fast Prompt
  2. Generate
  3. Refine with direct instructions
  4. Reroll
  5. Finalize

Workflow 2: Reference-Driven Creation

  1. Add 2–3 references
  2. Use fusion prompt
  3. Adjust composition
  4. Refine

Workflow 3: Fix & Polish

  1. Generate
  2. Identify issues
  3. Edit specific regions
  4. Repeat

Workflow 4: Precision Composition

  1. Generate base
  2. Add layout
  3. Label clearly
  4. Regenerate

Workflow 5: Exploration → Lock → Iterate

  1. Generate variations
  2. Pick favorite
  3. Lock seed
  4. Iterate small changes

Quick Rules

  • Be specific (subject + style + composition)
  • Put key instructions early
  • Use references for consistency
  • Don’t restart — refine
  • Use layout for control
  • Use editing for precision
  • Iterate in small steps

A helpful reminder

You don’t need a perfect prompt.

You need:

a clear idea + direction + iteration

Key takeaway

Uni-1 isn’t about prompting better.

It’s about:

thinking visually, then directing the system