Stop asking AI to rate your face: a photo-coach prompt that fixes your light, angle and framing

02The photo-coach prompt (copy it)

This is a longer version of the prompt from my video. The two extra lines about what the photo is for and where you're shooting make the advice fit what you actually have. Replace the [ ] parts with your situation.

You are a kind portrait photography coach. I'm uploading a selfie. Please don't score or comment on my looks, face or body; only look at the photography.
What the photo is for: [Instagram profile picture / CV photo / everyday selfie]
Where I'm shooting: [bedroom / office / outdoors], and what I have: [just my phone / a window / a desk lamp / a ring light]

Please answer in order:
1. Light: where is the light coming from? Which parts of my face are too dark or too bright? Which way should I face?
2. Angle: should I hold the phone higher, lower, or turn it? How far away should the camera be?
3. Framing: how much space should I leave above my head and on each side? What in the background is too messy, and what should I move?

Finally, give me 3 things I can change on my very next shot, one sentence each, most important first.

03How to use it: ChatGPT or Claude both work

1. ChatGPT: open chatgpt.com or the app, tap the + next to the prompt box and choose Add photos & files to upload your selfie. You can also drag the photo into the box or paste an image from your clipboard.
2. Claude: open claude.ai, click the + in the lower left of the chat box and choose Add files or photos. Dragging and pasting work too.
3. After uploading, paste the prompt above and send it.
4. Read the 3 suggestions, make the changes, and take another photo.

OpenAI's help page is clear: image inputs work on both the Free and paid ChatGPT plans, on the web and in the iOS and Android apps, with usage limits that depend on your plan.

041. Light: check where it's coming from

The first thing the AI usually points out is the light. Half your face in shadow or a greyish face usually means the light is coming from the wrong direction.

1. Turn to face the window so the light falls on your face. Don't stand with your back to it.
2. If half your face is dark, turn slowly until both sides are lit.
3. If you have a ring light or desk lamp, put it in front of your face, not directly overhead.

052. Angle: phone higher or lower

1. Start at eye level. It's the safest starting point.
2. If the phone is too low and pointing up, your chin and nostrils get the spotlight.
3. When the AI suggests a new angle, change it a little at a time and compare two or three shots.

063. Framing: space above your head, a clean background

1. Leave a little space above your head: don't cut off the top, but don't leave a huge empty gap either.
2. Clutter, piles of clothes or a messy desk behind you? Move them, or take a step to the side so they're out of frame.
3. When the AI says "the background is messy", ask exactly where in the frame, so it's easier to find.

07The best part comes last: 3 fixes for your next shot

The most useful line in the whole prompt is the last one. It turns the analysis into 3 actions, so you just follow them and don't have to work it out yourself.

1. Make the 3 changes and take another photo.
2. Upload the before and after photos together in the same chat.
3. Paste the prompt below so it compares them.

Here is the photo I retook using your suggestions. The first one is before, the second is now. Again, don't score my looks; just compare what got better and what could still improve in the light, angle and framing, then give me 1 thing to change on my next shot.

08Good to know

1. A photo of your face is personal data. Think before you upload, only share photos you're happy for the AI to see, and don't upload other people's photos without their permission.
2. Don't want your chats used for model training? In ChatGPT, go to Settings → Data controls and turn off Improve the model for everyone. In Claude, go to Settings → Privacy and turn off the model-improvement toggle. This only affects new chats; delete existing chats separately if you want them gone.
3. You can also use ChatGPT's Temporary chat: it doesn't appear in your history and isn't used to improve models, though OpenAI says it may be kept for up to 30 days for safety. Claude's incognito chats aren't used to improve Claude either.
4. Don't ask the AI to score your looks. There's no right answer, and the AI can get things wrong; OpenAI's own FAQ notes it can produce incorrect descriptions.
5. The AI's advice is only a starting point. Take a few shots and pick the one you like best.