How to Use Midjourney Guide: Crafting Effective Midjourney Prompts

A prompt is the heart of every image created by the Midjourney Bot. It’s the text you supply to describe the scene, object, or style you want to bring to life. When you enter a prompt, the Bot interprets it by comparing your words and phrases to its vast store of training data. The result is an image that reflects how well your description conveys the desired elements and style. While Midjourney prompts can be simple and minimal, the more effectively you guide it, the more precise and satisfying your images will become.

Simple Midjourney Prompt

You can begin with a single, evocative word like sunset or haunted castle, or even an emoji, and let Midjourney’s default settings take over. For instance, if your prompt is cherry blossoms, you’ll usually get a scenic representation featuring those flowers.

This basic approach often yields interesting variations, but you’ll have less control over the outcome. In the example below, we just wrote a woman. See how different Midjourney styles the prompt gave us:

Building More Detail

Refining Your Word Choice

To achieve specific results, use clear and descriptive language. Subtle changes in wording make a difference: instead of big, you might say colossal or expansive. This elevated clarity can help steer Midjourney closer to your vision.

Singular vs. Plural

Using plural forms (dogs vs. dog) or unqualified nouns (birds) can introduce unpredictable variations into your images. If you aim for precision, specify the quantity or use collective nouns. For example, say five hummingbirds or a flock of hummingbirds instead of just hummingbirds.

Incorporating Images as References

If you have a specific look or style you want to emulate, you can include the URL of an image you like at the beginning of the prompt (if you are using Midjourney on Discord) or just drop the image reference file in the prompt (if you are using Midjourney web, like seen below):

This extra information nudges Midjourney to incorporate aspects of that reference, whether it’s color palette, subject matter, or overall composition. Now check the final result, much more consistent:

Advanced Prompting

Beyond text, you can use parameters to define attributes such as aspect ratio, resolution, or other advanced features. Parameters usually go at the end of your prompt. They work like instructions on how the Midjourney Bot should handle your request, giving you another layer of control over the final image. Read everything about Midjourney parameters here.

Focusing on What You Want

Positive Descriptions

Rather than specifying what you don’t want, emphasize the elements you’d like to see. For instance, if you don’t want flowers in your image, try using a parameter that explicitly tells Midjourney to exclude them, rather than mentioning “no flowers” in the main text.

Context and Clarity

Consider including any crucial details or setting if they matter to you. Is it a nighttime scene? A vintage photograph? A watercolor illustration? Mention those important details in your prompt. The more purposeful information you include, the closer the final image will match what you envision.

Balance Between Brevity and Detail

Midjourney thrives when given purposeful prompts, but it also enjoys creative freedom. Too many instructions can become cluttered, leading to unpredictable or muddled images. Too few details might not give you enough control. Experiment by adding or trimming phrases until you find a sweet spot that produces images you love.

Key Takeaways

• Use concise yet descriptive language.
• Guide Midjourney with specific details rather than long lists.
• Add image references and parameters for advanced customization.
• Focus on what you want to see.
• Aim for a balance: enough detail to shape the outcome, but not so much that the prompt becomes overwhelming.

By developing these prompting habits, you’ll soon discover Midjourney’s amazing range of possibilities—and find your own creative voice along the way!