Waviboy Method

Step 2: Cast & Style Before You Generate

Lock these BEFORE any generation:

1. WHO: Subject details, build, expression, clothing
2. WHAT: Product/brand accuracy (separate reference image)
3. WHERE: Environment, time of day, atmosphere
4. MOOD: One-sentence emotional direction

Use the Campaign Bible Architect approach:

• Role: "You are a Campaign Bible Architect. Lock every visual element BEFORE concepts are generated."
• Inputs: Brand + Product + Visual DNA + Scenario

Step 3: One Click, 10 Shots

After Steps 1-2 are locked:

• Generate 10 variations from the locked setup
• All should be consistent (same model, same world, same energy)
• Select the best 1-2 for refinement

Prompt Specificity Requirements

Every prompt MUST include:

Camera (exact):

• Focal length: "35mm" not "wide angle"
• Aperture: "f/2.8" not "shallow depth of field"
• ISO: "ISO 1250" not "low light"
• Shutter: "1/200s" not "sharp"

Film Stock (exact):

• Stock name + processing: "Cinestill 800T, pushed +1"
• Not just "Kodak Portra 400" — specify push/pull if relevant
• Include grain description: "visible grain in shadows"
• Include specific effects: "strong halation around highlights"

Lighting (motivated):

• Name the SOURCE: "sodium streetlamp buzzing overhead"
• Not "warm lighting" — WHERE does the light come from?
• Color temperature: "casting amber light" or specific Kelvin
• Describe interaction: "light catching wet pavement"

Color (hex values):

• Extract 10-12 hex values from reference images
• Include in prompt: "Color palette drawn from: #495964, #0d0f11, #3e4d5a..."
• Describe color interaction: "cool tungsten blues clashing with warm amber glow"

Material/Texture:

• Never "leather" → "full-grain vegetable-tanned leather with visible pores and patina"
• Never "wet" → "damp from recent rain, water beading on waxed surface"
• Describe fabric state: "frayed at edges, creased from wear"

Expression/Action:

• Never "looking at camera" → "glancing right, mid-laugh, eyes off-axis"
• Add micro-actions: "adjusting sleeve, exhale, hair catching light"
• In-between moments, not posed: "caught mid-conversation, one eyebrow raised"

The Reversal Technique (Fix AI Tells)

The 3 AI Tells:

1. Dead stare — eyes too centered, too perfect, no life
2. Vignette halo — auto-vignette screams "AI filter"
3. Oversaturated warmth — too warm, too orange, social-app preset look

The 3 Reversals:

Eye-line Reversal:

• "Eyes off-axis, caught-in-between expression"
• "Subject 30% off-centre"
• "85mm equivalent, shallow DOF"

Color Reversal:

• Pull 2-3 FILM FRAMES as color references
• Reference specific films: "the green-cast tungsten of In the Mood for Love"
• Grade from cinematography, not Instagram presets

Texture Reversal:

• Pass through enhancement (Enhancor, Seedream 4K) at LOW-MID strength
• Stop when pores and textiles look real, NOT crispy
• Restore edge detail and natural film grain

The DNA Framework (Character Consistency)

For consistent characters across multiple shots:

• Details: Build, height, clothing specifics
• Nature: Guarded or open? Aggressive or passive?
• Audio: Rhythm of speech, accent, energy level

Post-Production Pipeline

1. Generate 10 variations
2. Select best 1-2
3. Nano Banana: product placement, label swaps, precision fixes
4. Enhancor: skin/texture fix at low-mid strength
5. Color grade: match to film reference frames
6. Grain: add at 15-25%, shadow-heavy distribution
7. Vignette: 15%, natural lens falloff
8. Final check: 3 tells, overall feel

Quality Checklist (Before Delivery)

• Eyes off-axis or motivated (not dead stare)
• No auto-vignette halo
• Color graded from film reference, not preset
• Grain visible, especially in shadows
• Materials have specific texture (not smooth/plastic)
• Light sources are motivated (identifiable source)
• Expression is in-between moment (not posed)
• Hex values match reference palette
• Camera specs are physically plausible
• Overall: "Could this be a real photograph?" test

References

• WAVIBOY-EXACT-METHOD.md — His actual workflow from screenshots
• WAVIBOY-PHILOSOPHY.md — His own words on creative direction
• WAVIBOY-VISUAL-DNA.md — 10 measurable traits from portfolio analysis
• WAVIBOY-SHOT-STUDY.md — Photographer's analysis of his work
• visual-library/theory/photography-cinematography.md — Full theory
• visual-library/theory/ai-image-generation.md — Tool knowledge
• visual-library/theory/prompt-engineering.md — Prompt structure