The full guide to ChatGPT image codes
If you have seen the carousel, you have seen the shorthand: one slash code standing in for a whole visual instruction. This is the complete glossary behind it, all 54 codes, grouped by what they actually change in your image, so you can paste them straight into a prompt.
How to use a code
Each code is a label for one visual instruction. You are not typing the code into the prompt itself, you are turning it into plain instructions ChatGPT can read.
Pick the effect you want
Scan the six categories below. Each code changes one thing: the perspective, the angle, the light, the style, the commercial framing or the composition.
Read the description, not just the code
The code is shorthand. The line under it is the actual instruction to describe in your prompt, in your own words.
Write it into your prompt
Describe your subject as usual, then add the instruction from the code. Stack two or three codes from different categories for a fuller shot.
Example. Subject: "a pair of sneakers on a wooden floor." Add /GOLDENHOUR and /CLOSEUP: "a pair of sneakers on a wooden floor, lit with warm, soft light similar to sunrise, framed tightly so fine details become prominent."
Perspective codes
Changes how the subject relates to the space around it
/FORCEDPERSPECTIVEMakes the subject appear to interact with an oversized object through forced perspective.
/GIANTPERSPECTIVEMakes the subject appear tiny compared with a much larger environment or object.
/MICROWORLDPlaces the subject inside a miniature, tiny-scale world.
/REFLECTIONHACKUses a reflective surface to create an alternate or creative view of the subject.
/THROUGHOBJECTFrames the subject by shooting through another foreground object.
/FRAMEWITHINFRAMEPlaces the subject inside a natural frame such as a doorway, window or arch.
/FOREGROUNDFRAMEUses a foreground element to partially frame the subject.
/GROUNDREFLECTIONCreates a clearly visible reflection of the subject on a reflective surface.
/PARALLAXSHOTCreates strong layered depth by separating foreground and background elements.
Camera angle codes
Changes where the camera sits relative to the subject
/TOPANGLEPlaces the camera above the subject and looks downward at a noticeable angle.
/LOWANGLEPlaces the camera below the subject and looks upward.
/WIDEANGLEUses a wide-angle view to show more of the environment around the subject.
/OVERHEADPlaces the camera almost directly above the subject for a near-90-degree top view.
/BIRDSVIEWShows the scene from a high aerial-like viewpoint looking downward.
/WORMSVIEWUses an extremely low, ground-level viewpoint looking sharply upward.
/CLOSEUPFrames the face or subject tightly so fine details become prominent.
/THREEQUARTERShows the subject from an approximately 45-degree front-side view.
/DUTCHANGLETilts the camera so the horizon or architecture appears diagonally angled.
Lighting codes
Changes the mood and contrast of the light in the scene
/GOLDENHOURCreates warm, soft light similar to sunrise or sunset.
/BLUEHOURCreates cool twilight lighting just before sunrise or after sunset.
/LOWKEYUses predominantly dark tones with controlled highlights and deep shadows.
/HIGHKEYUses bright, evenly lit tones with soft, minimal shadows.
/RIMLIGHTAdds a bright outline of light around the edges of the subject.
/BACKLIGHTPlaces the main light source behind the subject for strong separation or glow.
/NEONLIGHTUses vivid colored neon illumination to create a modern atmosphere.
/VOLUMETRICLIGHTMakes visible light rays travel through atmospheric space.
/CHIAROSCUROUses dramatic contrast between illuminated areas and deep shadow.
Visual style codes
Changes the overall rendering treatment of the image
/CINEMATICGives the image a film-like composition, lighting, color grading and mood.
/CLAYTransforms the subject into a polished clay-rendered 3D appearance.
/3DRENDERCreates a polished computer-generated 3D-rendered appearance.
/ANIMEApplies an anime-inspired visual treatment.
/COMICApplies a comic-book illustration style with graphic visual treatment.
/WATERCOLORMakes the image look like a watercolor painting.
/OILPAINTINGCreates the rich texture and appearance of an oil painting.
/SKETCHCreates a hand-drawn sketch-like appearance.
/PHOTOREALCreates a highly realistic photographic appearance.
Product & commercial codes
Changes how a product is presented for advertising
/PRODUCTHEROCreates a premium hero shot where the product is the dominant visual focus.
/LUXURYADPresents the product with a high-end luxury advertising aesthetic.
/BILLBOARDPlaces the product into a billboard-style advertising environment.
/TIMESQUAREShows the product as a massive digital advertisement in a Times Square-style environment.
/FLOATINGPRODUCTSuspends the product dramatically in space or an impossible environment.
/EXPLODEDVIEWSeparates the product into visible components while keeping the structure understandable.
/CUTAWAYRemoves part of the product exterior to reveal its internal structure.
/PACKSHOTCreates a clean studio-style commercial product photograph.
/ADVERTORIALCombines editorial-style presentation with advertising composition.
Composition codes
Changes how visual elements are arranged in the frame
/MINIMALUses very few visual elements to create a clean, uncluttered composition.
/MAXIMALISTFills the frame with many intentional visual elements for a dense, rich composition.
/NEGATIVESPACEDeliberately leaves a large area of empty space around the subject.
/ASYMMETRICALBalances the frame through intentionally unequal placement of visual elements.
/RULEOFTHIRDSPositions the subject around the key intersections of a rule-of-thirds grid.
/LEADINGLINESUses lines in the environment to guide the viewer's eye toward the subject.
/FOREGROUNDBLURUses a strongly blurred foreground element to create framing and depth.
/BACKGROUNDBLURKeeps the subject sharp while pushing the background strongly out of focus.
/LAYEREDBuilds distinct visual planes such as foreground, subject or midground, and background.
Save this, then go try one
Bookmark this page and come back to it every time you sit down to prompt. Pick one code from each category you need, describe it in plain words, and stack it into your next ChatGPT image prompt.
Questions? Write to dmg@dynamicmindsgroup.com. ChatGPT is a trademark of OpenAI. Dynamic Minds Group is not affiliated with or endorsed by OpenAI.
