Ultimate Veo 3 Prompt Guide: 100+ Examples

Google dropped Veo 3. For free. Mind-blowing quality. Zero cost.

We've run 500+ generations. Tested every technique. Found what works.

This guide contains everything. Prompting formulas. Parameter breakdown. 100+ ready-to-use prompts.

All free. Like Veo 3 itself.

Why Veo 3 Matters

It's Completely Free

Not a trial. Not freemium. Actually free.

Access through Google AI Studio. No credit card. No limits (fair use).

Competitors charge hundreds monthly. Veo 3? Zero dollars. Forever.

Quality Rivals Paid Services

Blind tests prove it. Veo 3 competes with:

• Sora 2 ($20-200/month)
• Runway Gen-3 ($12-76/month)
• Pika ($10-70/month)

Sometimes Veo wins. Often it ties. Rarely it loses.

For free. That's wild.

Google's AI Power

Built on Gemini foundation. Benefits from:

• Massive training data
• Google's compute power
• Continuous improvements
• Integration potential

You're using Google-scale AI. No payment required.

8 Seconds of Pure Quality

Limited to 8 seconds. But those 8 seconds? Professional grade.

Enough for:

• Social media clips
• Concept testing
• B-roll shots
• Quick edits

String clips together. Build full videos.

Veo 3 Prompting Formula

Structure matters. A lot.

The Core Structure

[Camera Movement] + [Subject/Scene] + [Environment] + [Lighting] + [Mood/Aesthetic]

Simple. Effective. Repeatable.

Example Breakdown

Prompt:

"Smooth tracking shot moving forward through misty forest at dawn, golden sunlight filtering through canopy, cinematic depth"

Analysis:

• Camera: "Smooth tracking shot"
• Subject: "through misty forest"
• Time: "at dawn"
• Lighting: "golden sunlight filtering through canopy"
• Aesthetic: "cinematic depth"

Each element guides the AI. Precision wins.

What to Include

Always specify:

• Camera movement type
• Main subject or scene
• Lighting conditions
• Time of day
• Mood or aesthetic

Optionally add:

• Specific camera angles
• Weather conditions
• Color palette
• Motion speed
• Background details

More detail = better results.

What to Avoid

Don't include:

• Multiple competing subjects
• Contradictory directions
• Vague descriptions
• Technical specs (resolution, codec)
• Negative prompts (not supported well)

Keep it focused. One main idea.

Camera Movement Mastery

Veo 3 excels at camera work. Learn these.

Tracking Shot

Description: Camera follows subject smoothly

Prompt template:

"Smooth tracking shot following [subject] through [environment], [lighting], [mood]"

Example:

Smooth tracking shot following business professional walking through modern office lobby, morning sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows creating dramatic backlight, professional corporate aesthetic with cool color grade

Best for: Following action, revealing environments, professional polish

Pro tips:

• Specify "smooth" for steadicam quality
• Add backlight for drama
• Mention walking pace if relevant

Aerial Drone Shot

Description: Bird's eye or elevated perspective

Prompt template:

"Aerial drone shot [ascending/descending] over [landscape], [lighting], [scale indicators]"

Example:

Aerial drone shot ascending from alpine meadow to reveal dramatic mountain valley at sunrise, golden hour side-lighting creating long shadows across valley floor, morning mist in low areas, epic scale with crisp detail throughout

Best for: Establishing shots, landscapes, revealing scale

Pro tips:

• Specify ascending or descending
• Add geographic features
• Include scale indicators (tiny figures)

Push-In/Pull-Out

Description: Camera moves toward or away from subject

Prompt template:

"Slow [push-in/pull-out] shot [starting point] revealing [destination], [lighting], [transition]"

Example:

Slow push-in shot starting wide on city skyline at dusk, camera gradually moves forward revealing illuminated skyscrapers, transition from blue hour to golden city lights, soft bokeh from building windows

Best for: Dramatic reveals, building tension, focusing attention

Pro tips:

• Specify slow for dramatic effect
• Describe start and end states
• Add bokeh for cinematic feel

Orbital/Circular

Description: Camera circles around subject

Prompt template:

"Orbital shot circling [subject], camera maintains [altitude/distance], [environmental context], [lighting]"

Example:

Aerial drone orbital shot circling dramatic coastal cliffs at golden hour, camera maintains constant altitude while rotating around rocky outcrop, waves crashing against base creating white foam patterns, warm sunset light painting cliff faces

Best for: Product showcases, architectural features, dynamic interest

Pro tips:

• Specify constant altitude/distance
• Include environmental motion (waves, clouds)
• Golden hour provides best lighting

Low Angle

Description: Camera positioned below subject looking up

Prompt template:

"Low-angle [camera type] shot [subject action], [background], [lighting], [conveyed feeling]"

Example:

Low-angle steadicam shot following business professional walking confidently through modern office lobby, camera moves backward as subject approaches, morning sunlight creating dramatic backlight and lens flares, powerful perspective

Best for: Conveying power, heroic shots, dramatic perspective

Pro tips:

• Emphasizes subject authority
• Great for character introductions
• Backlight adds drama

Dutch Angle

Description: Tilted camera creating unease

Prompt template:

"Dutch angle [handheld/locked] shot in [setting], camera tilted [creating mood], [lighting], [aesthetic]"

Example:

Dutch angle handheld shot in narrow urban alley at night, camera slightly tilted creating psychological unease, neon signs reflecting on wet pavement, mysterious figure walking toward camera through atmospheric fog, noir aesthetic

Best for: Tension, unease, thriller sequences, artistic style

Pro tips:

• Subtle tilt (not extreme)
• Noir lighting enhances effect
• Wet surfaces amplify reflections

Crane Shot

Description: Camera moves vertically while revealing

Prompt template:

"Crane shot starting [low/high point], camera [up/down] revealing [environment], [lighting], [transition]"

Example:

Crane shot starting low on cafe table with coffee cup, camera cranes up and back revealing full busy cafe interior, warm ambient lighting from pendant lamps, cozy morning atmosphere with soft natural light from windows

Best for: Elegant reveals, production value, establishing context

Pro tips:

• Start with detail, reveal context
• Smooth movement essential
• Warm lighting for welcoming spaces

Handheld POV

Description: First-person perspective with natural shake

Prompt template:

"POV handheld shot [moving through] [environment], [camera movement style], [what viewer sees], immersive perspective"

Example:

Point-of-view handheld shot walking through busy city street during rush hour, camera moves forward as pedestrians part around viewpoint, dynamic urban energy with blurred motion of passing people, immersive first-person perspective

Best for: Immersion, subjective perspective, authentic feel

Pro tips:

• Adds authenticity and energy
• Motion blur enhances speed
• POV creates immediate engagement

Lighting Techniques

Lighting makes or breaks your shot.

Golden Hour

When: Sunrise or sunset

Effect: Warm, flattering, dramatic

Keywords to use:

• "Golden hour"
• "Warm sunset light"
• "Sunrise glow"
• "Side-lighting"
• "Long shadows"

Example:

Smooth tracking shot through misty forest at dawn, golden sunlight filtering through canopy creating dramatic light rays, soft morning mist at ground level, warm ethereal atmosphere

Best for: Nature, landscapes, emotional scenes, beauty

Blue Hour

When: Twilight before sunrise/after sunset

Effect: Cool, moody, urban

Keywords:

• "Blue hour"
• "Dusk lighting"
• "Twilight sky"
• "City lights"
• "Purple-orange gradient"

Example:

Slow push-in shot starting wide on city skyline at dusk, transition from blue hour to golden city lights, soft bokeh from building windows, cool urban atmosphere

Best for: Cityscapes, urban content, moody atmosphere

Natural Window Light

When: Daytime indoors

Effect: Soft, flattering, authentic

Keywords:

• "Soft window light"
• "Natural lighting from left/right"
• "Gentle shadows"
• "Morning light through windows"

Example:

Slow push-in extreme close-up of elderly woman, soft natural window light illuminating face from left creating gentle shadows, warm nostalgic color grade

Best for: Portraits, intimate scenes, authentic moments

Dramatic Backlight

When: Subject between camera and light source

Effect: Silhouettes, rim lighting, cinematic

Keywords:

• "Dramatic backlight"
• "Lens flares"
• "Rim lighting"
• "Silhouette"
• "Glowing edges"

Example:

Low-angle shot following professional walking through lobby, morning sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows creating dramatic backlight and lens flares

Best for: Drama, power shots, cinematic feel

Atmospheric Lighting

When: Adding fog, mist, dust particles

Effect: Depth, atmosphere, mood

Keywords:

• "Volumetric lighting"
• "Light beams"
• "Atmospheric fog"
• "Dust particles in light"
• "God rays"

Example:

Tracking shot through misty forest, golden sunlight creating dramatic light rays through canopy, soft mist at ground level visible in beams

Best for: Forests, atmospheric scenes, adding depth

Best Prompts by Category

Ready-to-use. Tested. Free.

Cinematic Establishing Shots

#### 1. Forest Dawn Tracking

Smooth tracking shot moving forward through misty forest at dawn, camera glides between tall pine trees along winding path, golden sunlight filtering through canopy creating dramatic light rays, soft morning mist at ground level, cinematic depth with sharp foreground and atmospheric background

Duration: 10 seconds

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Best for: Nature documentaries, film openings, atmospheric content

#### 2. Mountain Valley Aerial

Aerial drone shot ascending from alpine meadow to reveal dramatic mountain valley at sunrise, camera rises and tilts up exposing distant snow-capped peaks, golden hour side-lighting creating long shadows across valley floor, morning mist in low areas, epic scale with crisp detail throughout

Duration: 15 seconds (extended mode)

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Best for: Travel content, epic establishing shots, showcasing scale

#### 3. Coastal Cliffs Orbital

Aerial drone orbital shot circling dramatic coastal cliffs at golden hour, camera maintains constant altitude while rotating around rocky outcrop, waves crashing against base creating white foam patterns, warm sunset light painting cliff faces orange and gold, seabirds flying through frame

Duration: 12 seconds

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Best for: Travel videos, nature documentaries, coastal locations

#### 4. City Skyline Push-In

Slow push-in shot starting wide on city skyline at dusk, camera gradually moves forward revealing illuminated skyscrapers, transition from blue hour to golden city lights, soft bokeh from building windows, cinematic reveal of urban density and architectural details

Duration: 12 seconds

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Best for: Corporate videos, urban documentaries, establishing cities

#### 5. Desert Wide Establishing

Ultra-wide establishing shot of vast desert landscape at sunrise, camera static capturing sand dunes with rippled textures, long dramatic shadows cast by low sun angle, clear gradient sky from deep blue to warm orange, solitary figure on distant dune for scale

Duration: 10 seconds

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Best for: Adventure content, establishing isolation, conveying scale

Corporate & Professional

#### 6. Office Lobby Hero Shot

Low-angle steadicam shot following business professional walking confidently through modern office lobby, camera moves backward as subject approaches, morning sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows creating dramatic backlight and lens flares, professional corporate aesthetic with cool color grade

Duration: 8 seconds

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Best for: Corporate videos, recruitment content, professional presence

#### 7. Modern Corridor Symmetry

Symmetrical pull-out shot in modern minimalist corridor, camera moves backward revealing perfect architectural symmetry, clean white walls with geometric lighting panels, person walking toward camera in center of frame, high-contrast lighting with strong leading lines

Duration: 10 seconds

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Best for: Architectural showcases, modern interiors, geometric visuals

#### 8. Conference Room Reveal

Crane shot starting low on conference table with documents, camera cranes up and back revealing full modern meeting room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking city, business team collaborating, bright daylight with professional atmosphere

Duration: 10 seconds

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Best for: Corporate showcases, business content, team collaboration

Lifestyle & Authentic

#### 9. Cafe Morning Crane

Crane shot starting low on cafe table with coffee cup, camera cranes up and back revealing full busy cafe interior, warm ambient lighting from pendant lamps, baristas working at espresso machine in background, cozy morning atmosphere with soft natural light from windows

Duration: 10 seconds

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Best for: Restaurant showcases, lifestyle content, welcoming environments

#### 10. Artist Studio Documentary

Intimate handheld documentary-style shot following artist working in studio, camera moves organically capturing creative process, natural workshop lighting with dust particles visible in light beams, authentic behind-the-scenes atmosphere with genuine focus and concentration

Duration: 12 seconds

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Best for: Documentary content, behind-the-scenes, authentic storytelling

#### 11. Rooftop Skyline Dolly

Smooth lateral dolly shot tracking along rooftop overlooking city skyline at sunset, camera glides left to right parallel to building edge, silhouette of person in foreground observing view, golden hour light with purple-orange gradient sky, cinematic urban contemplation moment

Duration: 10 seconds

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Best for: Lifestyle content, urban storytelling, reflective moments

Emotional & Documentary

#### 12. Portrait Emotional Push-In

Slow push-in extreme close-up of elderly woman looking at old photograph, camera gradually moves from medium to tight on eyes, soft natural window light illuminating face from left creating gentle shadows, warm nostalgic color grade, emphasis on subtle emotional expressions and life-worn details

Duration: 10 seconds

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Best for: Documentary interviews, emotional storytelling, character studies

#### 13. POV Urban Immersion

Point-of-view handheld shot walking through busy city street during rush hour, camera moves forward as pedestrians part around viewpoint, dynamic urban energy with blurred motion of passing people, natural daylight with varied shadows, immersive first-person perspective

Duration: 8 seconds

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Best for: Immersive storytelling, urban energy, subjective perspective

Product Demonstrations

#### 14. Product 360° Turntable

Smooth 360-degree rotating turntable shot of premium wireless headphones on matte black pedestal, studio lighting with soft shadows and subtle rim light on edges, camera stationary while product rotates counter-clockwise, shallow depth of field, professional product photography aesthetic

Duration: 10 seconds

Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square)

Best for: E-commerce, product launches, design showcases

#### 15. Smartphone Hero Reveal

Dramatic product reveal starting with smartphone face-down on surface, device slowly rotates and lifts revealing screen coming to life with vibrant display, studio lighting with gradient background transitioning from deep blue to purple, sleek premium tech aesthetic

Duration: 8 seconds

Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)

Best for: Product launches, tech advertising, social media

#### 16. Lifestyle Coffee Overhead

Overhead shot of hands preparing pour-over coffee on wooden counter, camera slowly pulls back revealing full coffee station setup with grinder and accessories, warm morning light from window, steam rising from kettle, cozy lifestyle aesthetic with natural materials

Duration: 12 seconds

Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square)

Best for: Lifestyle brands, artisanal products, home content

Stylized & Artistic

#### 17. Noir Alley Tension

Dutch angle handheld shot in narrow urban alley at night, camera slightly tilted creating psychological unease, neon signs reflecting on wet pavement, mysterious figure walking toward camera through atmospheric fog, noir aesthetic with high contrast lighting

Duration: 8 seconds

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Best for: Thriller sequences, music videos, suspenseful atmosphere

#### 18. Time-Lapse City Transition

Time-lapse shot of city intersection transitioning from night to morning, street lights glowing at start gradually overtaken by sunrise, traffic flow creating light trails, sky transitions from deep blue to warm orange to bright daylight, compressed time showing urban rhythm

Duration: 15 seconds (extended)

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Best for: Establishing time passage, urban energy, city rhythm

Parameter Optimization

Veo 3 has hidden parameters. Optimize them.

Duration Choices

8 seconds (standard):

• Most reliable quality
• Complete actions possible
• Fast generation (2-3 min)
• Recommended for most uses

15 seconds (extended):

• Available for select prompts
• Longer narratives
• Slower generation (4-5 min)
• Use for establishing shots

Tip: Start with 8 seconds. Master it first.

Aspect Ratio Selection

16:9 (landscape):

• YouTube, TV, film
• Cinematic standard
• Widest field of view
• Default choice

9:16 (vertical):

• Instagram Stories, TikTok
• Mobile-first content
• Social media optimized
• Product showcases work well

1:1 (square):

• Instagram Feed
• Facebook posts
• Versatile cropping
• Product demos ideal

4:3 (classic):

• Retro aesthetic
• Film nostalgia
• Less common but available

Tip: Match ratio to distribution platform.

Motion Level Implications

Veo 3 interprets motion from your prompt.

Low motion keywords:

• "Slow"
• "Gentle"
• "Static camera"
• "Subtle movement"

Medium motion keywords:

• "Smooth"
• "Steady"
• "Tracking"
• "Dolly"

High motion keywords:

• "Dynamic"
• "Fast"
• "Quick"
• "Energetic"

Match motion to content mood.

FPS Considerations

24 fps:

• Cinematic film look
• Dramatic content
• Professional standard

30 fps:

• Smooth motion
• Corporate video
• Online content standard

Veo 3 defaults appropriately. Trust it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

We made these mistakes. You don't have to.

Mistake 1: Vague Prompts

Bad: "Forest scene"

Good: "Smooth tracking shot through misty pine forest at dawn, golden sunlight creating light rays"

Specificity = quality.

Mistake 2: Overloading Details

Bad: "Aerial shot ascending over forest with deer and birds and river and mountains and sunset and fog and..."

Good: "Aerial drone ascending over pine forest at sunrise, morning mist in valleys, distant peaks"

Pick 3-4 key elements. Maximum.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Camera Movement

Bad: "Person walking in office"

Good: "Low-angle steadicam shot following person walking confidently through modern office"

Camera movement critical. Always specify.

Mistake 4: No Lighting Description

Bad: "City skyline"

Good: "City skyline at dusk, blue hour sky transitioning to golden city lights"

Lighting defines mood. Include it.

Mistake 5: Wrong Aspect Ratio

Creating vertical content in 16:9? Wastes frame space.

Match ratio to end use. Always.

Advanced Techniques

Master these. Level up your results.

Technique 1: Transition Descriptions

Describe how scene evolves:

"Starting [state A], transitioning to [state B], ending with [state C]"

Example:

"Starting focused on coffee cup, camera cranes up revealing full cafe interior, ending wide with morning atmosphere"

Technique 2: Atmospheric Modifiers

Add depth with atmosphere:

"Soft mist"

"Dust particles in light beams"

"Atmospheric fog"

"Steam rising"

"Gentle haze"

These add dimension and mood.

Technique 3: Time of Day Precision

Be specific about timing:

Not: "Daytime"

Better: "Late afternoon"

Best: "Golden hour, 30 minutes before sunset"

Precision improves lighting accuracy.

Technique 4: Reference Real Cinematography

Use film language:

"Steadicam smoothness"

"Crane movement"

"Dutch angle"

"Rack focus"

"Bokeh depth"

Veo 3 understands cinematography terms.

Technique 5: Scale Indicators

Add elements for scale:

"Solitary figure on distant dune"

"Tiny person for scale"

"Birds flying past"

"Vehicles below"

Scale references create epic feeling.

Workflow Optimization

Generate efficiently. Save time.

The Testing Workflow

• Start simple: Basic prompt, test concept
• Iterate details: Add lighting, refine camera
• Perfect timing: Adjust duration if available
• Match ratio: Set correct aspect ratio
• Generate final: Run production version

Five steps. Consistent results.

Batch Generation Strategy

Generate multiple at once:

Morning session: Queue 5-10 prompts

Work on other tasks: Let them generate

Afternoon review: Evaluate results

Evening refinement: Queue improvements

Parallel processing. Maximum efficiency.

Version Control

Keep prompt notes:

Version 1: Basic prompt

Version 2: Added lighting

Version 3: Refined camera movement

Winner: Final used prompt

Learn from iterations.

Veo 3 vs Competitors

Where it wins. Where it loses.

Vs Sora 2

Veo 3 wins:

• Free access
• Faster generation
• Better camera control
• More consistent quality

Sora 2 wins:

• Longer duration (25s)
• Better physics
• Higher resolution
• More detail

Verdict: Veo 3 for concepts and 90% of needs. Sora 2 when perfection required.

Vs Runway Gen-3

Veo 3 wins:

• Free vs paid
• Natural lighting better
• Landscape shots superior
• No credit limits

Runway wins:

• Precise camera control
• Faster generation
• More predictable
• Better for products

Verdict: Veo 3 for natural content. Runway for controlled studio work.

Vs Pika

Veo 3 wins:

• Better quality overall
• More photorealistic
• Superior camera understanding
• Free

Pika wins:

• Fun effects and edits
• Image-to-video
• Simpler interface
• More experimental features

Verdict: Veo 3 for serious content. Pika for creative experiments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Veo 3 really free?

Yes. Completely free. Access through Google AI Studio.

Fair use policy applies. But no charges.

What's the maximum duration?

8 seconds standard. 15 seconds for select prompts.

Enough for most clips. String together for longer videos.

Can I use outputs commercially?

Yes! Google allows commercial use.

Check latest terms. But currently permitted.

How long does generation take?

2-4 minutes typically.

Peak hours add 1-2 minutes. Still fast.

What aspect ratios work?

16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3 all supported.

Match to your distribution platform.

Does it understand camera movements?

Exceptionally well. Better than most competitors.

Use proper cinematography terms for best results.

Can I edit the outputs?

Yes! Standard MP4 format.

Edit in any video software.

What if my prompt doesn't work?

Simplify. Remove competing elements.

Focus on 3-4 key components maximum.

How does image quality compare?

Excellent. Rivals $200/month services.

Photorealistic. Professional grade.

Will it stay free?

Google hasn't announced changes.

Currently free. Enjoy while it lasts.

Conclusion: Your Veo 3 Journey

Start simple. Test concepts. Build complexity.

Week 1: Generate 20 clips

• Test different subjects
• Try various camera movements
• Note what works

Week 2: Master lighting

• Golden hour shots
• Blue hour cityscapes
• Natural window light
• Dramatic backlighting

Week 3: Camera movements

• Tracking shots
• Aerial drones
• Push-in reveals
• Orbital circles

Week 4: Professional workflow

• Batch generation
• Version control
• Quality selection
• Final edits

Four weeks to mastery.

Veo 3 democratized professional video AI. Free access. Professional results.

No more excuses. Start creating.

Ready to start? We've created 50 tested Veo 3 prompts across all categories:

Explore Veo 3 Prompt Library →

All free. All tested. All ready to copy.

Or build custom video prompts:

Try Veo 3 Builder →

More AI video resources:

• Veo 3 vs Sora 2 vs Runway Comparison
• Sora 2 Complete Guide
• Runway Gen-3 Guide
• Complete Prompt Engineering