Level Up Your Midjourney Art: Essential Prompt Techniques

Ready to get more specific and varied images with Midjourney? Moving beyond simple prompts opens a lot of creative possibilities. This guide covers several techniques to help you take more control over your image generation and explore new styles.

Using Images as Inspiration (Reference Images)

You can tell Midjourney to look at an existing image when creating a new one. This is great if you want a similar look or style but with different details.

Here’s how it works:

• First, get the address (URL) of the image you want to use. Upload the image on Discord, click it, right-click, and choose "Copy Image Address."

• Start your prompt by pasting this URL at the very beginning.

• Then, add your text prompt describing what you want in the new image.

• You can also use the ` --iw` parameter (image weight) to control how much the reference image influences the result. A higher number makes the new image look more like the reference. The default is 1, but you can use values between 0.5 and 2.

Keep in mind you cannot directly edit the reference image itself (like asking Midjourney to remove something from it). You are giving it a prompt and an image to learn from, and it creates a new image based on both.

For example, you could use a picture of a person as a reference and then prompt for "a futuristic hero" with different clothing and a different background, like "coffee shop" or "park." Try using the ` --no` parameter too, like ` --no 3D art` to get a 2D cartoon style.

Adjusting Old Images with Remix Mode

Remix mode is excellent for making small adjustments to images you've already generated without completely starting over. You can change parts of your original prompt or parameters and keep some of the design elements from the first image.

Here’s how to turn it on and use it:

• Type `/settings` and press enter.

• Find "Remix mode" and click the button to turn it on.

• Now, create an initial image with an `/imagine` prompt.

• After the image generates, click one of the Variation (V1, V2, etc.) buttons.

• A pop-up will appear showing your prompt. Edit the prompt—change words, add parameters, pick a different model version (` --v`), or adjust the aspect ratio (` --ar`).

• Click submit.

Midjourney will generate new variations based on your edited prompt while trying to maintain elements of the original image's design. It's a great way to fine-tune your creations efficiently.

Save Time with Prompt Shortcuts

If you often use the same words or parameters in your prompts (e.g., a specific style, camera angle, or artist name), you can save time by creating shortcuts. This feature is called `/prefer option set`.

Here are the steps:

• Type `/prefer option set` and press enter.

• For "name," type a short name for your shortcut (like "portraitstyle").

• Click the "+1 value" button.

• In the "value" field, type the words, parameters, or phrases you want to save (e.g., ` --style professional photo --ar 3:2`).

• Press enter to save it.

Now, instead of typing the full saved phrase in your prompt, you just type ` --portraitstyle` (or whatever you named it) after your main prompt text. Midjourney will automatically add the saved value.

You can save up to 20 different shortcuts with this method. To see a list of all your saved shortcuts, type `/prefer option list`.

Automating repetitive parts of your workflow, like using these shortcuts, can significantly boost your productivity. If you're looking for even more ways to streamline your Midjourney process, consider checking out the TitanXT Midjourney Automation Suite, which offers powerful tools to automate and manage your image generation.

Controlling Word Importance (Weighting)

Sometimes, a simple comma isn't enough to tell Midjourney how to interpret different parts of your prompt, or you want certain words to have more influence. Midjourney lets you weight keywords using double colons (`::`).

If you prompt `/imagine a ship`, you get an image of a spaceship. But if you prompt `/imagine a:: ship`, Midjourney treats "a" and "ship" as separate ideas. This separation might lead to a pirate ship instead of a spaceship.

You can also give specific weights to words by adding a number after the double colon. For example, in the prompt `/imagine space:: ship`, the comma between words is treated separately. If you type `/imagine space::3 ship`, Midjourney understands "space" should be three times more important than "ship." You can use different numbers (integer or decimal) to fine-tune the balance.

Using the ` --no` parameter is also helpful here to exclude specific elements you don't want, like ` --no human` to remove people.

Controlling keyword importance gives you more precise direction over the final image content.

Adding Fun with Emojis

Midjourney can understand and use emojis in your prompts. This can add a playful or symbolic touch to your creations.

You can:

• Copy and paste emojis from chat apps or websites like getemoji.com.

• Use the emoji button on Discord to select one.

Combine emojis with text or use combinations of emojis. For instance:

• ` /imagine 🌕🌳🦉` could create an image with a full moon, a tree, and an owl.

• ` /imagine 🏙️🌅🌴` might generate a city sunset with palm trees.

• ` /imagine 👩‍🦱🏄‍♀️🌊` could result in an image of a woman surfing waves.

Experimenting with emojis can lead to unique and surprising results.

Recreating Art Styles with Multiple Image References

Trying to recreate a specific art style can be difficult with just text prompts. Midjourney has a powerful technique: using multiple images as style references.

Here’s the process:

• Gather several images that clearly show the art style you want to replicate. Save or screenshot them.

• Upload all these images to Discord.

• Copy the link for each image (click the image, right-click, "Copy Image Address").

• Start your `/imagine` prompt by pasting each image link, separating them with a space.

• After the image links, add your text prompt describing the subject you want in that style (e.g., "a woman with a cat").

By providing multiple examples of the desired style, you give Midjourney a much clearer idea of the look you are aiming for. The more relevant example images you provide, the better the outcome will likely be.

This method can help you move past frustration when text prompts aren't working. Always respect copyright and trademark when using reference images.

Mastering techniques like using multiple image references can feel incredibly powerful. To help manage complex workflows involving many image references or detailed prompts, check out the TitanXT Midjourney Automation Suite. It's designed to make managing your creations and testing variations much easier.

Conclusion

These advanced techniques—using reference images, Remix mode, prompt shortcuts, keyword weighting, using emojis, and multiple image references for style—offer ways to get more control and creativity from Midjourney.

Don't be afraid to try them out. Experimentation is key, and with practice, you'll discover how to use these tools to bring your vision to life more accurately and effectively. Happy creating!