> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ideogram.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/getting-started/prompting-guide/5-common-pitfalls-and-fixes.md).

# 6. Common Pitfalls and Fixes

Even with a good understanding of prompting, it's easy to make small mistakes that lead to strange or disappointing results — especially when you're trying to get a very specific image from the AI. This section highlights some of the most common issues and shows how to fix them.

These tips are especially useful when you have a clear image in mind and want Ideogram to follow your descriptions closely. If you're prompting more for creative discovery, some of these "mistakes" may actually lead to interesting results — so feel free to experiment.

***

## Vague adjectives

**Issue:** Using non-specific descriptors like *“beautiful,” “interesting,” “nice”* or *“cool”* can lead to unpredictable outcomes, as the AI lacks a clear visual reference for these terms.

**Fix:** Replace vague adjectives with specific visual details.

> **Instead of:** *“A beautiful forest”*\
> \&#xNAN;***Try:** “A dense forest with tall pine trees and soft rays of sunlight filtering through the branches”*
>
> **Instead of:** *“A beautiful dress.”*\
> \&#xNAN;***Try:** “A red satin evening gown with intricate lace details.”*

***

## Generic style terms

**Issue:** Using broad style descriptors like "artistic" or "modern" may not provide the AI with enough guidance.

**Fix:** Specify the desired style using well-known art movements, techniques, or mediums.

> **Instead of:** *“a modern painting of a landscape”*\
> \&#xNAN;***Try:** “An impressionist painting of a rolling countryside with thick brushstrokes and pastel tones”*
>
> **Instead of:** *“an artistic photo of a dancer”*\
> \&#xNAN;***Try:** “A soft-focus photo of a ballet dancer mid-leap on a dimly lit stage”*

***

## Contradictory descriptions

**Issue:** Writing conflicting information in a prompt can confuse the AI, leading to inconsistent or nonsensical images.

**Fix:** Ensure all elements of the prompt are coherent and compatible.

> **Instead of:** *“A minimalist sculpture with fine and intricate details”*\
> \&#xNAN;***Try:*** *“A minimalist sculpture with smooth, simple geometric shapes in white marble”*\
> \&#xNAN;***Or:** “A detailed sculpture carved with delicate patterns and ornamental features, displayed on a minimal white pedestal”*
>
> **Instead of:** *“A clean, empty room cluttered with artifacts”*\
> \&#xNAN;***Try:** “A clean, empty room with plain white walls and a single wooden chair”*\
> \&#xNAN;***Or:** “A room filled with ancient artifacts, displayed on simple white pedestals in a clean, open space”*

***

## Abstract concepts tied to a subject

**Issue:** Prompts centered on abstract ideas without concrete visual elements can lead to a wide variety of results.

**Fix:** Anchor abstract concepts with tangible visuals.

> **Instead of:** *“A symbol of hope”*\
> \&#xNAN;***Try:** “A single flower blooming through a crack in the concrete”*
>
> **Instead of:** *“*A child caught in a moment of wonder*”*\
> \&#xNAN;***Try:** “A child staring up at a night sky filled with stars, mouth slightly open in awe”*
>
> **Instead of:** *“An old man lost in regret”*\
> \&#xNAN;***Try:** “An old man sitting alone on a park bench, staring down at a faded photo in his hands”*

***

## The aspect ratio's influence on framing

Even with the exact same prompt, Ideogram may generate very different results depending on the aspect ratio you choose. This is because the AI tries to fill the entire canvas, and different aspect ratios naturally suggest different types of framing.

A prompt like *“A woman walking on a busy city street sidewalk”*:

* In **portrait (1:2)**, the result may show her full body from head to toe.
* In **landscape (2:1)**, the framing may shift closer — showing her from the waist up or knees up to fit the wider format.

**Tips for if you run into this:**

1. **Include visual elements that hint at how much of the subject should be shown**: for full-body results, describe things near the feet (shoes, sidewalk); for close-ups, focus on upper-body features.
2. **Adjust the focus of the prompt**: for wider framing, make the **environment** the main subject; for tighter framing, keep the **person** as the main subject.

Combining descriptive language with the right aspect ratio gives you much better control over the final image.

{% hint style="info" %}
**With JSON prompting (Ideogram 4.0)**, you can use bounding boxes to specify exact subject placement, making aspect ratio and framing far more predictable. See [Section 4.](/using-ideogram/getting-started/prompting-guide/4.-json-prompting-ideogram-4.0.md)
{% endhint %}

These small changes help steer the AI toward the type of framing that fits your goal — whether it’s a full scene or a focused portrait. Combining descriptive language with the right aspect ratio gives you much better control over what appears in the final image. In the next section, we have some detailed examples where the fixes we discussed are applied.