As a developer and photographer, I see the same mistake happen over and over with AI portraits. People ask Gemini for a “cool hairstyle,” and the AI gives them a plastic, airbrushed image that looks like a GTA V character.
In the world of high-end retouching, we call this the “Frequency Separation” problem. The AI smooths out the high-frequency details (pores, stray hairs, fabric texture) and leaves only the low-frequency shapes.
To get results that look like Raw camera files, we need to prompt with a Photo Editing perspective. We don’t just ask for hair; we ask for lighting, grain, and lens characteristics.
Here are 7 tested prompts designed to force Gemini and advanced models (like Nano Banana Pro) to render High Frequency Texture.
Textured French Crop Prompt
Short, choppy, and highly textured with a raw film look.
Use uploaded reference image only. Face must be 100% identical and instantly recognizable. No AI smoothing, reshaping, or alteration. Maintain real pores, natural highlights, and authentic human skin texture. Must look like real photography, not digital art. Close-up portrait of the subject with a textured French Crop fade. Shot on 35mm film, Kodak Portra 400 stock. Visible film grain and high ISO noise. Lighting is harsh top-down street light creating deep shadows in the hair texture. Skin is not smooth; visible pores and micro imperfections. Dirty realism, 8k.
Classic Slick Back
A sharp, professional style with controlled lighting.
Use uploaded reference image only. Face must be 100% identical and instantly recognizable. No AI smoothing, reshaping, or alteration. Maintain real pores, natural highlights, and authentic human skin texture. Must look like real photography, not digital art. Studio portrait of the subject with a classic slick-back undercut. Three-point lighting setup: Key light 45-degrees, sharp Rim light behind to separate hair from background. High specular highlights on the hair styling product (pomade). Sharp focus, f/8 aperture for deep depth of field. Professional retouching style.
Sun-Lit Messy Quiff
Voluminous and natural. Best for lifestyle visuals.
Use uploaded reference image only. Face must be 100% identical and instantly recognizable. No AI smoothing, reshaping, or alteration. Maintain real pores, natural highlights, and authentic human skin texture. Must look like real photography, not digital art. PROMPT: Lifestyle shot, golden hour backlighting (contre-jour). Subject with a messy, voluminous quiff. Sun flaring through the hair strands (sub-surface scattering). Warm color temperature (5500K). Soft bokeh background. Shot on 85mm f/1.4 lens. Dreamy, ethereal vibe but sharp facial features. SIGNATURE: Add “geminiguru.in” bottom-left corner. Handwritten signature-style typography, thin cursive, small size, subtle premium elegance, white/soft off-white color.
Sharp Fade & Buzz
Ultra short urban style focusing on skin details.
Use uploaded reference image only. Face must be 100% identical and instantly recognizable. No AI smoothing, reshaping, or alteration. Maintain real pores, natural highlights, and authentic human skin texture. Must look like real photography, not digital art. PROMPT: Macro portrait, extreme close-up. Subject with a buzz cut and high skin fade. Focus on the gradient of hair density on the side of the head. Visible scalp texture, razor bumps, natural skin unevenness. Harsh hard light casting sharp shadows. Raw file, uncompressed, neutral color profile.
Medium Length Flow
Relaxed, medium length hair with motion.
Use uploaded reference image only. Face must be 100% identical and instantly recognizable. No AI smoothing, reshaping, or alteration. Maintain real pores, natural highlights, and authentic human skin texture. Must look like real photography, not digital art. PROMPT: Candid street snap. Subject with medium length wavy hair pushed back (The Flow). Slight motion blur on the tips of the hair suggesting wind. Natural overcast lighting (soft diffuse light). Low contrast, desaturated colors. Sony Alpha A7iii, shutter speed 1/100.
Defined Curls & Taper
Sharp definition for coiled textures.
Use uploaded reference image only. Face must be 100% identical and instantly recognizable. No AI smoothing, reshaping, or alteration. Maintain real pores, natural highlights, and authentic human skin texture. Must look like real photography, not digital art. PROMPT: Portrait with Rembrant lighting (triangle of light on cheek). Subject with short afro curls and a taper fade. High micro-contrast to define individual hair coils. Deep rich blacks, no crushing of shadows. 50mm Prime lens. Detailed hairline edge-up.
Edgy Modern Mullet
Fashion forward look with cinematic lighting.
Use uploaded reference image only. Face must be 100% identical and instantly recognizable. No AI smoothing, reshaping, or alteration. Maintain real pores, natural highlights, and authentic human skin texture. Must look like real photography, not digital art. PROMPT: Fashion editorial shot. Subject with a modern mullet (short sides, long back). Neon city night lighting. Cyberpunk color grading (Teal and Orange LUT). Wet hair look. Reflection of neon lights in the eyes. Chromatic aberration on the edges. ISO 800.
Conclusion
The Secret to Consistency Generating realistic hairstyles isn’t just about the hair; it’s about the lighting and camera settings. By using these Photographer’s Prompts, you force the AI to respect physical texture rather than just digital smoothing.
