Nano Banana 2 Prompt Engineering: Write Prompts That Actually Work
Why Prompts Matter More Than You Think
The quality of your Nano Banana 2 output is directly tied to the quality of your prompt. Unlike older AI models that relied on single keywords, Nano Banana 2 understands natural language — which means you can be surprisingly specific.
The Anatomy of a High-Quality Prompt
A well-structured prompt has three layers:
1. Subject — What is the main focus? "A golden retriever puppy sitting in a field of sunflowers"
2. Style & Mood — How should it look and feel? "...in the style of a vintage National Geographic photograph, warm afternoon light, shallow depth of field"
3. Technical Specs — Resolution and format hints "...ultra-detailed, 4K, photorealistic"
Combined: "A golden retriever puppy sitting in a field of sunflowers, vintage National Geographic style, warm afternoon light, shallow depth of field, ultra-detailed, 4K, photorealistic"
Prompts That Consistently Perform Well
| Goal | Effective Prompt Pattern |
|---|---|
| Product photo | "[Product] on [surface], [lighting], clean white background, commercial photography" |
| Portrait | "[Subject] portrait, [mood], [lighting style], bokeh background, 85mm lens" |
| Landscape | "Aerial view of [place], golden hour, cinematic composition, National Geographic style" |
| Abstract art | "[Colors] abstract fluid art, [texture], high contrast, digital painting" |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too vague: "A nice picture of a dog" → be specific about breed, setting, lighting
- Conflicting styles: "Photorealistic watercolor painting" → pick one primary style
- Overloading keywords: Long lists of buzzwords without context reduce coherence
Using Reference Images as Prompt Amplifiers
When you upload reference images alongside your text prompt, Nano Banana 2 uses them as visual anchors. Your text prompt then acts as a direction guide — steering the visual output while the references lock in style, color, and composition. This combination almost always outperforms text-only generation for complex creative briefs.
Quick Tips
- Write in English or Chinese — both work natively
- Use commas to separate distinct descriptors
- Specify the output medium: "oil painting," "3D render," "watercolor illustration"
- Add lighting descriptors: "golden hour," "studio lighting," "neon-lit"
Start experimenting, and you'll quickly find the patterns that work for your specific creative style.