Canonical page: https://mixerai.org/en/knowledge/basics/neyroseti-dlya-nachinayushchih/ [Mixer AI](https://mixerai.org/) β€Ί [Knowledge Base](https://mixerai.org/en/knowledge/) β€Ί For beginners For beginners # AI for beginners: where to start AI basics in plain words: what a prompt is, how to write requests and generate photos and video. Three lessons β€” from core ideas to your first clip. Updated 2026-09-18 [Create in Mixer AI](https://mixerai.org/?dl=kb_basics#/canvas) 01πŸ“š ## Basics & prompts What is a neural network?A program, not a robot with a brain A neural network is a program trained on huge amounts of data β€” text, photos and video. It finds patterns and, from your request, creates new content β€” text, an image or a video that never existed before. What is a prompt?Your request to the AI A prompt is a text description of what the AI should create. You don't need words like "draw" β€” describe objects, colors, style and mood clearly. Instead of "cat" write "a ginger cat with green eyes against a jungle, realistic photo". What is a negative prompt?A list of what must not appear A negative prompt lists what you don't want in the frame: "extra fingers, face distortions, watermarks, low quality". A catch: the model sometimes latches onto a word and adds it, so it's safer to state the goal β€” not "no people" but "an empty street". Precision or freedom in a prompt?It depends on the task For a specific result, add more detail: age, clothing, lighting, angle. For ideas, do the opposite and give freedom: "suggest 20 options…" and let the model improvise. Fixing is part of the process β€” experiment with wording. Can you trust the AI?Check the facts Check facts, dates and figures against original sources: models can be wrong. Do not upload passwords, payment details or unnecessary sensitive data. Data handling depends on the service and provider; check the privacy policy before submitting. 02πŸ–ΌοΈ ## Photo generation What ways are there to generate photos?From scratch, from a photo or a reference Three approaches: from scratch by text ("a cat sleeping on a windowsill, realistic photo"); from an existing photo you want to change ("replace the background with a night city"); and by reference β€” copy a pose, face or outfit from an attached shot. How to build a photo prompt?From angle to quality Follow a structure: angle β†’ main subject β†’ details β†’ background β†’ mood and light β†’ textures β†’ style β†’ quality. For example: "shoulder-up portrait, a woman of 25, leather jacket, evening city, warm light, realistic photo, 8K". What is aspect ratio?Frame proportions: 16:9, 1:1, 9:16 Aspect ratio sets the width-to-height proportions. 16:9 is a horizontal photo, 1:1 a square for avatars and logos, 9:16 a vertical for stories, Reels and Shorts. Pick the format before generating β€” cropping without losing the composition is hard. Common mistakes in photo promptsVagueness and contradictions A vague "city" gives a random result β€” specify the country and mood. Don't mix incompatibles: "realistic" and "cartoonish", or "angry" and "happy" at once, confuse the model. And avoid judgments without detail β€” "a beautiful person" says nothing. 03🎬 ## Video generation What ways are there to generate video?Text, image or video as input Text-to-video creates a scene from scratch. Image-to-video brings a still frame to life. Video-to-video restyles or changes an existing clip β€” swap clothing, turn footage into a cartoon. The choice depends on what you have as input. How is a video prompt built?Subject + Action + Camera + Mood The formula: [Subject and location] + [Action] + [Camera move] + [Mood]. First describe the scene, then a concrete action (running, turning, a glance), then the camera move (push-in, orbit), and finally light and mood. That's how the model reads the motion. What are upscale and extend?Clip quality and length AI produces short clips (usually 3–15 seconds), often in low resolution for speed. Upscale raises the image to 1080p or 4K and adds sharpness. Extend takes the last seconds of a good shot and continues it. How to keep a character consistent?Build a visual anchor The key quality marker is a face, outfit and setting that stay unchanged across the clip. First build the character's base look: lock the appearance, clothing, pose and light. Use that "anchor" as the reference for every following frame and video. The key rule: 1 video = 1 actionSplit scenes, don't overload Don't pack a chain like "enters, orders coffee, sits down, looks out the window" into one prompt β€” the model gets confused. Split it into separate one-action scenes and join them in editing. Changing shots also holds the viewer's attention better. ## FAQ Do I need to know how to draw to use AI? No. You describe the result in words in a prompt, and the AI creates the image or video. Drawing skills aren't needed. Which AI should a beginner start with? Start with a simple text prompt in any photo model, then move to video. Mixer AI has dozens of models in one place, pay per result with no subscription. How is a prompt different from a negative prompt? A prompt describes what should be in the frame. A negative prompt lists what should not β€” extra fingers, watermarks, low quality. Is AI paid or free? Both exist. On Mixer AI you pay in coins for a specific generation, with no subscription β€” the price is shown before you run it. How long does it take to get the hang of it? The basics β€” prompt, negative prompt, aspect ratio β€” take one evening to learn. The skill grows with practice after that. [🎬 Next: camera movements for video 46 ready prompts with examples β†’ ](https://mixerai.org/en/knowledge/camera-movements/) Mixer AI is an AI aggregator. AI for beginners: where to start and dozens of other image, video, text, and audio models are available in one place. No plans: top up your balance and use it. [Create in Mixer AI](https://mixerai.org/?dl=kb_basics#/canvas)