Smoke
Dense smoke or vapor effects that add texture, mystery, and dynamic flow to compositions.
How to use this prop
Describe smoke behavior: 'wisps of smoke curling upward,' 'dense smoke rolling across the floor,' or 'smoke streaming from a specific source.' Specify the light interaction: 'backlit smoke glowing white,' 'sidelit smoke revealing layers of density,' or 'colored smoke with red and blue hues.' Name the source when appropriate: 'incense smoke,' 'dry ice fog,' 'smoke bomb' — each produces different visual characteristics.
Common pitfalls
Don't confuse smoke (rises, dissipates, has visible flow) with fog/haze (hangs evenly, diffuses light). Avoid using smoke with subjects that need to be clearly visible — dense smoke obscures. Don't describe perfectly static smoke; it should have implied motion or flow direction.
Starter prompt patterns
Portrait with wisps of smoke curling around the subject, backlit by warm light, smoke glowing at the edges, dark background, dramatic moodProduct photograph with colored smoke, red and blue smoke bombs creating flowing color behind the product, dynamic composition, studio shotDark still life with incense smoke rising through a shaft of light, visible smoke layers, chiaroscuro lighting, fine art photography
Smoke is a dynamic element that adds three things to a photograph: texture (visible particles and layers), motion (implied movement from flow direction), and light interaction (scattering and volumetric effects).
Unlike haze, which creates uniform atmosphere, smoke has visible structure — wisps, plumes, and density gradients. Effective smoke prompts describe this structure and its relationship to both the light source and the subject.