admin AI video tools can now start from a single picture and bring it to life for a few seconds. The image fixes how the scene looks; your prompt mainly tells the model what moves and how. This guide shows how to write those motion prompts.
How image-to-video works
You upload a start frame and add a text prompt. Tools such as Runway, Kling, Luma Dream Machine, Pika and Google Veo then generate a short clip that keeps the look of your image. Each tool has its own length limits and settings, so check its help pages, but the prompt principles below apply to all of them.
The video prompt formula
[subject + action] + [camera movement] + [environment motion] + [style / mood] + [speed]
Example: “The woman slowly turns her head and smiles, gentle push-in camera, her hair moves in a soft breeze, warm golden hour light, cinematic and calm, slow motion.”
You don’t need to describe colours or style in detail, because the image already shows them. A short description of the scene helps the model understand what’s there. To get one, upload your start frame to the image to prompt generator with the Simplified tone.
Camera movement words
| Term | Movement |
|---|---|
| static shot, locked camera | Camera doesn’t move; only the subject does |
| slow push-in, dolly in | Camera moves closer |
| pull-out, dolly out | Camera moves away, revealing more |
| pan left / right | Camera turns horizontally |
| tilt up / down | Camera turns vertically |
| orbit, arc shot | Camera circles the subject |
| tracking shot | Camera follows a moving subject |
| crane up, aerial rise | Camera rises above the scene |
| handheld | Slight natural shake, documentary feel |
Describing subject motion
- Use simple, physical verbs: walks, turns, blinks, waves, pours, flutters, drifts.
- Add speed: slowly, gently, suddenly, in slow motion.
- Describe small environment motion: steam rising, leaves falling, waves rolling, lights flickering.
- Keep it to one or two actions. Several actions in a short clip often look rushed or distorted.
Example prompts
Product
“Slow orbit around the perfume bottle, light reflections glide across the glass, soft mist drifts in the background, luxury commercial style.”
Landscape
“Static wide shot, clouds move quickly across the sky, grass sways in the wind, golden light shifts across the hills, timelapse feel.”
Portrait
“Gentle push-in, the man looks up from his book and smiles, steam rises from his coffee, warm cozy café atmosphere.”
Illustration
“The paper boat drifts slowly along the river, small ripples spread, fireflies blink, whimsical storybook animation.”
Tips for smoother videos
- Start from a sharp, well-lit image with a clear subject.
- Match the motion to what is possible in the picture. A seated person “running” will look strange.
- Hands, text and fast motion are the hardest parts for current models; keep them simple.
- Generate a few versions and pick the best; results vary from run to run.
Workflow with ph-imetix
- Create or choose your start image. Need one? Use a prompt from the Midjourney generator.
- Upload it to ph-imetix and copy the short scene description.
- Add camera movement and subject motion from the tables above.
- Generate in your video tool, then refine one motion word at a time.
Related articles
- How to Get the Prompt From Any Image (Step-by-Step Guide)
- AI Image Prompt Glossary: 80+ Words for Style, Light, Camera and Mood
- Midjourney vs Stable Diffusion vs Flux vs ChatGPT: How to Write Prompts for Each
Try it free: Image to Prompt Generator · Midjourney · Stable Diffusion & Flux · Stock keywords · Bulk