Common AI Image Mistakes (And How I Learned to Avoid Them)
I've generated thousands of AI images over the past year. Some turned out great. Many didn't. Looking back, I kept making the same mistakes over and over until I finally figured out what was going wrong. Here's what I wish someone had told me earlier.
Mistake #1: Writing Essays Instead of Prompts
My early prompts were way too long. I'd write entire paragraphs describing every possible detail, thinking more information meant better results. Turns out, that's not how it works.
AI models have attention limits. When you cram in too much, they can't focus on what matters. The result is often a muddled image that tried to include everything and nailed nothing.
What works better: Focus on 4-5 key elements. Subject, setting, style, lighting, and one distinctive detail. Let the AI fill in the rest.
Mistake #2: Expecting Perfection on the First Try
I used to spend forever crafting the "perfect" prompt before generating anything. What a waste of time. AI image generation is iterative. You need to see what the model produces before you can guide it better.
Now I start with a rough prompt, generate a few images, see what's working and what isn't, then refine. Three quick iterations beats one "perfect" attempt every time.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Negative Space
Early on, I'd describe the subject in great detail but ignore everything else. The result? Subjects floating in weird, inappropriate backgrounds. The AI just made something up for the empty space, and it rarely worked.
Backgrounds matter. Even something simple like "clean white background" or "blurred coffee shop interior" gives the AI direction. Don't leave it guessing.
Mistake #4: Using Contradictory Descriptions
"A bright, sunny scene with moody, dark atmosphere." "A minimalist design with lots of intricate details." I'd write prompts like this without realizing I was asking for impossible combinations.
The AI tries to satisfy all your requests. When they conflict, you get something that's neither one thing nor the other. Pick a direction and commit to it.
Mistake #5: Never Saving What Works
This one's embarrassing. I'd find a prompt that worked perfectly, use it once, and then forget exactly what I wrote. Hours later, I'd be trying to recreate something I'd already figured out.
Now I keep a simple document of prompts that work. Organized by style and purpose. When I need something similar, I start from a winning template instead of from scratch.
Mistake #6: Fighting the AI's Strengths
Some things are hard for AI. Hands, text, specific object counts, complex interactions between multiple subjects. I used to stubbornly try to force these, regenerating dozens of times.
Now I work with the AI's strengths, not against them. If I need text, I add it after in an editor. If hands are important, I frame the shot to minimize them. You'll get better results faster by playing to the technology's strengths.
The Biggest Lesson
AI image generation is a skill, and skills take practice. Don't expect to be great immediately. Don't give up after a few bad results. The more you generate, the better you understand how to communicate with the AI.
Every "failed" image teaches you something. Why did that composition not work? Why did the lighting look weird? Each answer makes your next prompt better.