Essential Midjourney Techniques: A Guide to Creating Better Images

Are you just starting with Midjourney, or looking to take your image creation skills to the next level? Midjourney is a powerful tool for generating unique visuals from text descriptions. Learning a few key techniques can make a big difference in the results you get. This guide covers essential tips and tricks, from basic settings to advanced prompting and styling, to help you create the images you want.

Getting Started: Basic Settings and Commands

Before you even type your first prompt, check Midjourney's settings. In Discord, type `/settings` and press Enter. This menu lets you pick your Midjourney version, turn on features like High Quality or Remix mode, and select different styles. Experimenting with versions is key, as each one handles prompts differently. Version 5 and 5.2 are known for interpreting natural language and creating detailed images, while Niji is best for anime styles.

The main command you'll use is `/imagine`. Type `/imagine prompt:` and then describe the image you want. Midjourney takes about a minute to give you four initial results. Remember, Midjourney doesn't care about capitalization or most punctuation.

Controlling Image Layout and Variations

Set Your Aspect Ratio

By default, Midjourney creates square images (1:1 ratio). But you can tell it exactly what shape you need. Add the `--ar` parameter followed by your desired ratio at the end of your prompt. For a YouTube thumbnail, you might use `--ar 16:9`. For a vertical phone image, try `--ar 9:16`. If you need a rectangle but don't have exact numbers, `--ar 3:2` makes a horizontal rectangle and `--ar 2:3` makes a vertical one.

Upscale and Create Variations

After Midjourney shows you four images, you'll see buttons below them. `U` buttons (U1, U2, U3, U4) upscale the selected image, making it larger and adding more detail. `V` buttons create slight variations of the selected image, giving you four new images based on the original's style and look.

Pan and Zoom Out

Need more around your image? The Pan option lets you expand the canvas in one direction (up, down, left, or right) without changing the original content. Midjourney fills the new area based on your prompt and the existing image. Zoom Out does something similar but expands the canvas in all directions at once.

Use Remix Mode

Remix mode lets you change parts of your prompt, like parameters or even the version, when you create variations. This is great for keeping the general look of an image but adding a new element. Select "Make Variations" when Remix mode is on, and a box will pop up where you can edit the prompt before generating the new images.

Advanced Prompting Techniques

Using Image Prompts

You can use images to influence your results. Add the web address of an online image (must end in .png, .jpg, etc.) at the very beginning of your prompt. You can use one or two images, with or without text. This helps guide the style or look of the output.

To use an image you have saved, upload it to Discord first. Send it in a message in your Midjourney channel. Once uploaded, right-click the image and select "Copy Image Address" (on desktop) or long-press and find the option to copy the link (on mobile). Then, use that link like any other image URL in your prompt.

Control Image Influence with Image Weight

When you use image prompts, the `--iw` parameter lets you control how much the image matters compared to your text. The default value is 1. A higher number (like `--iw 2`) means the image has more impact. A lower number (like `--iw 0.5`) means the text has more influence. Experimenting here can lead to very different results.

Blend Multiple Images

The `/blend` command is a quick way to mix the concepts and aesthetics of two to five images. Type `/blend`, upload the images you want to combine, and press Enter. Note that `/blend` only works with images, not text prompts.

Exclude Objects with the No Parameter

Don't want something in your image? Use the `--no` parameter followed by the words you want to exclude. Example: `winter landscape --no trees bushes`. While this works, focusing your prompt on what you *do* want usually gets better results than focusing on what you *don't* want.

Adjust Variation with Chaos

The `--chaos` or `--c` parameter (value 0-100) controls how varied your initial four images are. A low number gives you images that look very similar. A high number makes them quite different from each other. Adding `--c 70` to a prompt will produce a wider range of results compared to using `--c 0`.

Run a Task Multiple Times with Repeat

The `--repeat` or `--r` parameter tells Midjourney to run your prompt multiple times. This is useful when combined with `--chaos` to quickly explore different options. You can typically repeat A task between 2 and 40 times depending on your subscription level. This feature works in Fast and Turbo GPU modes.

Using Seed for Consistency (Sometimes)

The `--seed` parameter can sometimes help create similar images, especially characters. First, upscale an image you like. Then, use the envelope reaction on the upscaled image to get the seed number. Use this number with the original prompt and some changes to try for consistent characters. Results can vary, but it's worth trying.

Exploring different prompt structures, parameters, and image influences can significantly enhance your Midjourney creations. Managing many different prompts and tracking your results can become a complex task. Consider a tool like the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT, which can help streamline your workflow and manage your image generation process efficiently.

Styling Your Midjourney Images

Control Aesthetics with the Style Parameter

The `--style` parameter fine-tunes the look for some versions, like Niji 5. You can get cute, scenic, or expressive looks with Niji 5. Version 5.2 accepts `--style raw`, which often brings out more detail and realism compared to the default style.

For Niji 5, try `--style cute` for adorable characters, `--style scenic` for lush backgrounds, or `--style expressive` for a more dramatic look.

Influence Midjourney's Artistic Touch with Stylize

The `--stylize` or `--s` parameter (value 0-1000) controls how much Midjourney's built-in artistic style influences your image. A low value (like `--s 0`) will stick very closely to your prompt but be less artistic. A high value (like `--s 1000`) will be more artistic but might stray further from your exact description. The default is 100.

Create Seamless Patterns with Tile

The `--tile` parameter creates images that repeat to form a seamless pattern. This is perfect for designs meant for fabrics, cups, or digital backgrounds. Add `--tile` to your prompt, often combined with the needed aspect ratio.

Explore Unusual Looks with Weird

The `--weird` or `--w` parameter (value 0-3000) adds unconventional and unexpected qualities to your images. It makes results more unusual compared to typical Midjourney output. Start with smaller values like 250 or 500 and experiment up or down from there. Weird is different from Chaos (which affects how different the grid images are) and Stylize (which affects Midjourney's built-in art style).

Make a Short Video

Add the `--video` parameter to your prompt to get a short video showing your initial image grid being generated. Once the images appear, react with the envelope emoji. Midjourney will send you a link to the video in a direct message. This works for model versions 5, 5.1, 5.2, and Niji 5.

Structuring Your Prompts

Use Multiple Prompts

You can ask Midjourney to consider multiple ideas separately within one prompt by using a double colon `::` with no space. For example, `Eiffel Tower:: cup:: illustration` tells Midjourney to consider "Eiffel Tower" and "cup" as distinct concepts, rather than trying to put an Eiffel Tower *on* a cup.

Specify Perspective

Tell Midjourney what viewpoint you want. Add terms like "frontal view," "aerial view," "close-up," or "wide shot" to your prompt.

Define Lighting

Control how your image is lit by adding lighting descriptions. Examples include "Twilight lighting," "Morning Light," "cinematic lighting," or "illuminated silhouettes."

Choose a Color Palette

Guide the colors in your image by specifying a palette. Use terms like "pastel color palette," "Earth Tone color palette," or "vibrant colors."

Convey Mood

[P]You can often influence the feeling of your image by adding mood words. Try "happy mood," "sad mood," "serious mood," or "surprised mood." Midjourney can often capture these feelings in the generated visuals.[/H3]

Guide Composition

By default, Midjourney tends to place subjects in the center. You can influence composition by adding terms like "rule of thirds" or describing where you want the subject (e.g., "subject on the right").

Use Collective Nouns

When you want a group of things, use collective nouns. Instead of "several rabbits," try "group of rabbits." This often helps Midjourney understand you want a collection, like "a flock of birds" or "a set of stars," leading to better results.

Quick Prompts with Emoticons

For fun, try just typing 2-3 emoticons into your prompt box and see what Midjourney creates. It's a quick way to get surprising results based on the symbols' interpretations.

Mastering prompt structure and parameters takes practice. Tools exist that can help manage and organize your prompts, especially as you start experimenting more. Check out the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT to see how you could automate parts of your image generation process.

Creating Specific Image Types

Images for Coloring Books

You can create line art images perfect for coloring pages. Include phrases like "no background," "line art for coloring," "coloring pages," and "vector lines." Adding "for children" or "for adult" can also influence the style.

Mandala or Zentangle Style

Create intricate patterned images by adding "mandala style" or "Zentangle Style" to your prompt. You might also specify "no background," "line art," and a color palette if desired.

Make 3D Images

To get images with a 3D look, use phrases like "detailed 3D illustration," "3D vector art," or "3d render." You can also try specific styles like "Japanese paper art quilling" for a layered, dimensional effect. Combine this with `--tile` for seamless 3D patterns.

Consistent Characters

Creating a character that looks the same across multiple images is popular. A core technique involves asking for "character, multiple poses and expressions" in your initial prompt. Then, using the seed of a preferred image from the grid and modifying the prompt for different actions or feelings often helps achieve consistency.

Different Art Styles

Midjourney is excellent at mimicking art styles. Name artists (like "Van Gogh and Paul Gogan painting style") or movements ("surrealism painting style"). You can use this to create unique art prints.

Images for Comic Books

Use the Niji model (`--niji 5`) and add "comic book style image" to create visuals suitable for comics. Combine with consistent character techniques to build your own stories.

Kawaii Style

For cute Japanese aesthetics, add "style Kawaii" to your prompt. You might also use `--stylize` to influence the look further.

Finding Inspiration and Help

Use AI Assistants

If you're struggling to write a prompt, try using an AI assistant like ChatGPT. Describe the image you want, and ask it to suggest a Midjourney prompt. You can even include desired parameters like aspect ratio, style, or color palette in your request.

Browse the Community Gallery

Midjourney's Community Gallery is a treasure trove of ideas. See what others are creating and what prompts they used. If you find an image you like, you can often copy the prompt and modify it for your own creation.

Explore Other Platforms

Websites like Leonardo AI also have community galleries and prompt examples you can browse for inspiration and adapt for use in Midjourney.

Mastering Midjourney is an ongoing process. The tools are constantly improving, offering new ways to create. Keep exploring, experimenting, and practicing these techniques.

Ready to explore these Midjourney techniques and potentially automate parts of your workflow? Check out the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT to see how it could benefit your creative process.

Remember, the best way to learn is by doing. Have fun creating amazing images!