Tips for Adding Multiple People to Your Midjourney V6 Images

A Midjourney generated image using Midjourney Automation Suite

Creating images with more than one subject in Midjourney V6 is much easier now. The V6 update added lots of flexibility. But there are still some things to keep in mind. This guide walks you through how to prompt for multiple characters step by step.

Start by Setting the Scene

Begin with a simple idea for your image. Think about the basics: who is there and where are they? For example, you might want "two people sitting at a poker table." Keep it general at first, with just the core idea and few details.

It helps to tell Midjourney the style you want early on. If you want a photo, say so. You can add details like film types like "shot with Kodak Portra 400 film." Specify the look you want from the start.

You can also set things like the image size with an aspect ratio, like '2 to 1'. Using settings like 'raw style' can help Midjourney follow your prompt instructions more closely.

As you refine the scene, you can be more direct. Instead of just "two people," try "a man and a woman sitting together." Focus on framing the subjects in their environment without adding lots of specific details just yet. This builds a strong base for your image.

Add Specific Details for Each Subject

Once the basic scene is set, you can start adding details. This is where you describe each person. You can specify things like:

• Age and background (e.g., "young Ethiopian man," "older Asian woman")

• Clothing (e.g., "light blue button down," "yellow turtleneck," "dark blue peacoat")

• Accessories (e.g., "with a Rolex")

• Hair color and style

Midjourney V6 can handle very specific details. For instance, you can describe a "young Ethiopian man wearing a light blue button down with a Rolex" and an "older Asian woman in a yellow turtleneck and dark blue peacoat."

You can also tell Midjourney where each person should be. Asking for the "man to be on the left and the woman on the right" can help Midjourney place them correctly. This control is helpful for getting the layout you want.

Remember to use natural, conversational language in your prompts. Instead of short phrases like "man blue shirt," try telling Midjourney exactly what you want in clear sentences. This works better with Midjourney V6.

Adding all these details can take time and lots of prompt iterations. To save effort and experiment faster, consider using the Midjourney Automation Suite. It helps you manage prompts and generate images more efficiently, letting you test many variations quickly.

Understand Character Interactions (and Limitations)

Describing how characters interact is still an area with some limits in Midjourney. You can ask for interactions, but they may not always appear exactly as you imagine.

For example, asking for a "man looking at his phone and the woman looking directly at the man" might result in one action appearing but not the other.

Actions involving physical touch, like "a man's arm around the woman's shoulder" or two people "holding hands," can be difficult for Midjourney to capture precisely. You might get the subjects close or leaning on each other, but the specific action might be missed or misinterpreted (like the wrong person's arm being around the other).

However, describing separate actions, like one person "drinking a cocktail" and the other "looking at her phone," often works better. Each person doing their own thing is easier for the AI than trying to show complex physical interaction between them.

Trying to get specific interactions right can involve many attempts. The Midjourney Automation Suite can simplify this testing process, allowing you to quickly try different interaction descriptions and see the results without manual effort for each variation.

It's also worth noting that getting certain combinations of people with specific backgrounds or features together in one image can sometimes be tricky due to the AI's training data. You may need to experiment to see which combinations work best.

Experiment with Locations and Backgrounds

The setting adds important context to your image. Make sure to specify the environment where your subjects are. This could be:

• A specific place like "a rocky Arizona landscape" or "next to a scenic lake"

• An indoor setting like "at a bar" or "a sunny outdoor patio with vines on the walls"

The background you choose helps create the right mood and atmosphere for your scene and the characters in it.

Use Callbacks for Clarity

When you have multiple subjects and are adding details, it's important to use callbacks. This means referring back to each subject as you describe them.

For example, if you have a man and a woman, say: "on the left is an older white man with a gray mustache wearing a light blue button-down shirt." Then, "on the right is a younger white woman in a black cocktail dress." Later, when describing actions: "The older man is eating a garden salad and the younger woman is eating a turkey sandwich."

Using "the man," "the woman," "the older man," "the younger woman," or referring to their position (on the left, on the right) helps Midjourney know exactly which subject you are adding details or actions for. This is key to getting accurate results when handling multiple characters.

Try Different Mediums

You can change the visual style of your image by specifying a medium at the beginning of your prompt. This can drastically change the look.

Examples of mediums you can use include:

• Oil paints (for rich colors and textures)

• Watercolors (for transparent, less saturated effects)

• Digital art

• Pencil drawings

Experimenting with different styles lets you create diverse visual effects, from realistic photos to artistic interpretations.

Putting It All Together

Here’s a quick recap of the steps for creating scenes with multiple subjects:

• Set the scene: Start with a basic idea of subjects and location.

• Add details: Describe each subject specifically (age, appearance, clothing).

• Consider interactions: While limited, try describing separate actions or simple poses.

• Specify location/background: Choose a setting to add context.

• Use callbacks: Clearly refer to each subject when adding details.

• Experiment with mediums: Try different styles for varied looks.

Generating images with multiple characters in Midjourney V6 offers lots of creative possibilities. By following these steps and understanding the current abilities of the tool, you can create the scenes you imagine.

If you find yourself creating many variations or needing to manage complex prompts for multiple subjects, explore the Midjourney Automation Suite. It's designed to streamMidjourney workflow and help you get the best results faster.