====== MidJourney ======


===== Intro =====

The secret of MidJourney's particular aesthetic is **training bias** and **internal prompt interpretation**.

MidJourney models are heavily optimized for:
  * composition
  * lighting
  * color harmony
  * artistic styles

They intentionally deprioritize literal accuracy. Instead **they aim for visual impact**.

That’s why images often look:
  * cinematic
  * atmospheric
  * painterly

Even from simple prompts.

MidJourney does not treat prompts like strict instructions, more like creative direction.

Instead of "do this" you are telling the model "paint something inspired by this idea".

So the **prompt language works more like film direction or art briefs**.

===== MidJourney Prompt Structure =====

Good MidJourney prompts usually follow this pattern:
  * subject
  * environment
  * lighting
  * camera
  * style
  * mood
  * parameters

Example:

<code text>
ancient stone temple in a jungle clearing, fog drifting through ruins,
soft sunrise light, cinematic wide angle shot,
ultra detailed, atmospheric, dramatic lighting''
</code>

The model fills in details creatively.

<WRAP round info>
**Hint:** Add ''--p'' at the end of the prompt to use personalization, or activate it in the toolbox.
</WRAP>


==== Parameters ====

MidJourney uses parameters that dramatically affect results.

Examples:
  * Aspect ratio ''--ar 16:9''
  * Stylization strength ''--stylize 750''
  * Chaos (variation) ''--chaos 30''
  * Weirdness ''--weird 100''
  * Version selection ''--v 6''

These parameters are often more influential than the prompt itself.

----

=== 🔥 --style raw ===

  * **ON** → obeys prompt, less creativity, more literal
  * **OFF** → MJ injects taste, composition, style

👉 Best use:

  * First grid comparison
  * Technical / precise scenes
  * Small subject scale control

----

=== 🎨 --stylize ===

Controls how much MJ “beautifies” vs obeys.

Range roughly:

  * --stylize 0 → strict, almost raw-like
  * --stylize 100 → balanced (default-ish)
  * --stylize 1000 → very artistic, very MJ-style

👉 Interaction with --style raw:

  * raw + low stylize → hyper obedient
  * no raw + high stylize → full MJ magic mode

----

=== 🎲 --chaos ===

Controls variation in the grid.

  * --chaos 0 → very consistent
  * --chaos 50 → wild variation

👉 Best use:

First exploration grid when you don’t know what you want yet

----

=== 🧬 --weird ===

Underrated and dangerous 😄

  * --weird 0 → normal
  * --weird 50–200 → surreal / unexpected

👉 Great for:

  * arcane
  * cosmic
  * dark fantasy

----

=== 🧲 --sref (style reference) ===

You already touched it:

anchors color + mood + rendering

👉 Extremely strong when:

building a series
keeping visual consistency

----

=== 🧍 --cref / Omni (character reference) ===

locks character identity / proportions

👉 Crucial for:

  * recurring characters
  * fixing anatomy drift

----

=== ⚖️ --cw (character weight) ===

Controls how strongly --cref is applied.

--cw 100 → very strict
--cw 50 → looser

----

=== 📐 --ar ===

remember:

  * extreme ratios (like 9:20) = composition instability
  * raw helps stabilize those

----

=== 🧠 Hidden Combo (Very Important) ===

The real power isn’t individual flags, it’s combinations:

🔬 Precision Mode
--style raw --stylize 50
🎨 Artistic Mode
--stylize 700
🧪 Exploration Mode
--chaos 30 --stylize 300

==== Prompt Tricks ====

Instead of writing long descriptions, many users stack visual cues.

Example:

<code text>
brutalist concrete library interior,
massive pillars, shafts of sunlight,
dust particles in air,
cinematic lighting, moody atmosphere,
Kodak Portra 400
</code>

Notice the style references.

MidJourney understands:
  * film stocks
  * photography styles
  * art movements
  * famous artists
  * lens types

These influence the result strongly.

==== Prompt Weights ====

MidJourney lets you weight ideas.

Example: ''forest temple::2 fog::1.5 sunlight::0.5''

This tells the model importance levels.

Very useful when balancing elements.

__**Most amazing MidJourney images come from very short prompts.**__

Example:

<code text>
ancient library, candlelight, dust in air
</code>

MidJourney already knows how to compose beauty.

Overprompting can actually reduce quality.

===== Strategy =====

Use a two-step workflow.

Step 1
Generate the scene concept.

Step 2
Iterate for detail.

Example:

Prompt 1

<code text>
ancient underground library, candlelight, mysterious atmosphere
</code>

Then refine:

<code text>
ancient underground library, towering bookshelves,
thousands of candles, warm golden light,
cinematic, dramatic shadows --ar 16:9
</code>

This mimics how artists refine ideas.

MidJourney has a feature many people overlook.

Style references.

You can upload an image and guide generation with: ''--sref''

This transfers:
  * color palette
  * lighting style
  * visual tone

This is incredibly powerful for consistent aesthetics.

=== MidJourney workflow notes ===

=== Core mindset ===

  * First grids are for discovery
  * Variations are for nearby alternatives, not a guaranteed "make it better" button
  * The Editor is for surgery
  * Subtle Upscale is for final polish

=== Best working process ===

  - Generate multiple first grids when needed
    * test:
      * raw ON / OFF
      * personalization ON / OFF
    * optional:
      * chaos for broader exploration
  - Pick the strongest base image
  - Only use Vary Subtle if I genuinely want nearby siblings or to satisfy curiosity
  - If the chosen image is already strong, move to Edit
  - In Edit:
    * erase only the undesirable zone
    * do not touch the prompt unless I need a specific new instruction
    * keep personalization ON if it helped the winning image
    * generate
  - Edit one zone at a time
    * choose the best result
    * then move to the next zone
  - When satisfied, use Subtle Upscale for final resolution and detail

=== What each tool is really for ===

  * First grid = discovery
  * Vary Subtle = nearby siblings
  * Remix = inject one precise new instruction
  * Editor / Erase / Vary Region = local repair or addition
  * Subtle Upscale = preserve image, add detail
  * Creative Upscale = alternate reinterpretation, can occasionally fix small issues

=== Prompt placement rule for Remix ===

  * Start of prompt = subject / composition / camera
  * Middle of prompt = scene logic / interactions / action
  * End of prompt = mood / rendering / atmosphere / modifiers

=== When to use what ===

  * If image is 90%+ right:
    * do not vary by reflex
    * edit local flaws if needed
    * subtle upscale at the end
  * If image has one bad area:
    * use Edit / Erase
  * If image is compositionally wrong:
    * do not try to repair it with local edits
    * go back to a new grid or a structural remix

=== Editing rules ===

  * One zone at a time
  * Keep selection tight but with enough context
  * Avoid changing the full prompt unless necessary
  * Use edits for:
    * hands
    * eyes
    * fabric
    * wings
    * local additions / removals
  * Do not use edits to reinvent the whole image

=== Upscaling rule ===

  * Default: edit first, upscale last
  * Exception: upscale first only if a tiny flaw needs clearer inspection before editing

=== Flag logic ===

  * --style raw = more obedient, less invention
  * no raw = more MidJourney taste
  * --stylize = how much MJ beautifies vs obeys
  * --chaos = first-grid diversity, not a refinement tool
  * personalization = aesthetic bias layer, not a repair tool

=== Personal takeaway ===

  * My strength is already selection
  * My next improvement is not "iterate more"
  * My next improvement is knowing when not to iterate

===== Styles =====

==== Cinematic Scene ====

{{:ai:lone_warrior_over_majestic_kingdowm.png?direct&400|}}

This is the most common MJ structure.
It mimics how a film director describes a shot.

=== Pattern: ===

<wrap em>subject, environment, lighting, camera, mood, detail</wrap>

<code text>
lone mage standing on a cliff overlooking a vast misty kingdom, wisdom,
ancient castles and rivers below,
golden sunrise breaking through clouds,
cinematic wide shot,
epic atmosphere, dramatic lighting, ultra detailed --ar 16:9
</code>

  * MJ is strongly trained on cinematic imagery
  * lighting + camera cues dramatically improve composition

==== Concept Art ====

{{:ai:ancient_wizard_citadel_in_mountain.png?direct&400|}}

This one is used heavily by game studios and fantasy illustrators.

=== Pattern: ===

<wrap em>subject, environment, visual motifs, lighting, concept art descriptors</wrap>

<code text>
ancient wizard citadel carved into a mountain,
floating runes and glowing magical waterfalls,
storm clouds swirling above,
epic fantasy concept art,
volumetric lighting, intricate architecture, ultra detailed --ar 16:9
</code>

The catch words ''concept art'' triggers MJ’s concept-art training data.

This tends to produce:

  * huge environments
  * fantasy architecture
  * dramatic scale

==== Epic Landscape ====
{{:ai:vast_enchanted_forest_ancient_trees.png?direct&400|}}

Great for worldbuilding environments.

=== Pattern: ===

<wrap em>environment, scale elements, lighting conditions, atmosphere</wrap>

<code text>
vast enchanted forest valley,
gigantic ancient trees covered in glowing runes,
huge ring-planets close in sky,
hidden elven ruins beneath the roots,
aerial shot,
soft twilight fog drifting through the valley,
mystical atmosphere, epic fantasy landscape --ar 21:9
</code>

MJ excels at landscape depth and atmospheric layering.

==== Painterly Fantasy ====

{{:ai:dragon_rider_above_medieval_city.png?direct&400|}}

This pushes MJ toward illustration style rather than realism.

=== Pattern: ===

<wrap em>subject, environment, artistic style references</wrap>

<code text>
dragon rider soaring above a golden medieval city,
banner flags waving from marble towers,
dramatic sunset sky,
epic fantasy painting, oil painting style,
rich colors, masterwork fantasy illustration
</code>

Style words like:

  * painting
  * illustration
  * masterpiece

push MJ toward classic fantasy art aesthetics.

==== Dark Fantasy ====

{{:ai:ancient_ruined_cathedral_-_deep_haunted_forest.png?direct&400|}}

Perfect for mystical, ominous worlds.

=== Pattern: ===

<wrap em>subject, gothic elements, lighting, atmosphere</wrap>

<code text>
ancient ruined cathedral deep in a haunted forest,
black stone arches covered in vines,
ghostly blue flames burning in iron braziers,
thick fog creeping through the ruins,
dark fantasy, moody cinematic lighting, mysterious atmosphere
</code>

MJ is very strong at moody lighting and gothic architecture.

==== Hero Shot ====

{{:ai:legendary_old_wizard_-_weather_worn_robes.png?direct&200|}}

Great for characters in epic poses.

=== Pattern: ===

<wrap em>character description, pose/action, environment, lighting</wrap>

<code text>
legendary old wizard in long weather-worn robes with pointy hat,
standing atop a battlefield hill holding a glowing staff,
storm clouds behind him,
faint beams of divine particles breaking through the dark sky on the hero,
heroic fantasy, epic cinematic lighting --ar 2:3
</code>

MJ loves dramatic silhouettes and heroic framing.

==== Mythic Creature ====

{{:ai:colossal_ancient_dragon_-_dwarven_ruins_treasure.png?direct&400|}}

For monsters, dragons, mystical beings.

=== Pattern: ===

<wrap em>creature description, environment, lighting, atmosphere</wrap>

<code text>
colossal ancient dragon sleeping on a mountain of treasure,
inside a vast underground dwarven hall conquered and abandoned,
river streaks of gold illuminating the cave walls,
embers drifting in the air,
epic fantasy, cinematic lighting, ultra detailed --ar 16:9
</code>

==== Ancient Civilization ====

{{:ai:massive_temple_of_lost_god_-_floating_waterfalls.png?direct&400|}}

Great for lost worlds and magical ruins.

=== Pattern: ===

<wrap em>ancient structure, magical elements, environment, scale</wrap>

<code text>
massive forgotten temple of a lost god,
floating in deep space,
stone pillars orbiting the ruins,
ancient runes glowing faintly,
waterfalls pouring from broken towers,
mist rising through the scenery,
mystical stars and galaxy formations in the background,
epic fantasy environment, majestic scale --ar 16:9
</code>

==== Mood-Driven ====

{{:ai:ancient_wizard_tower_-_frozen_wasteland.png?direct&400|}}

Instead of describing objects, you describe emotion and atmosphere.

=== Pattern: ===

<wrap em>place, time of day, atmosphere, visual cues</wrap>

<code text>
ancient wizard tower in the middle of a frozen wasteland,
aurora borealis illuminating the night sky,
snow drifting through the air,
lonely magical atmosphere,
mysterious epic fantasy mood --ar 16:9
</code>

This produces very atmospheric images.

==== Minimal Prompt Pattern ====

{{:ai:ancient_enchanted_forest_-_mystic_runes_glowing.png?direct&300|}}

MJ often works best with surprisingly simple prompts.

Example:

<code text>
ancient enchanted forest temple, glowing runes, mist, epic fantasy
</code>

Because the model already knows how fantasy imagery usually looks, it fills in details beautifully.

Many expert users start with very small prompts and iterate.

===== Power Words in Fantasy Prompts =====

Certain words trigger stronger MJ outputs.


^  Environment  ^  Atmosphere  ^  Lighting  ^  camera  ^
|  ancient  |  mystical  |  golden sunrise  |  wide angle shot  |
|  forgotten  |  ethereal  |  stormlight  |  aerial view  |
|  sacred  |  epic  |  glowing runes  |  low angle  |
|  enchanted  |  legendary  |  torchlight  |  cinematic shot  |
|  ruined  |  ominous  |  volumetric light  |  macro shot  |
|  colossal  |  divine  |  -  |  -  |
|  towering  |  -  |  -  |  -  |




===== Search word suggestions =====

  * Fairies
  * Tomes / Grimoires
===== Additional Ressources =====

  *** [[ai:midjourney:linked-in|Professional Illustrations for LinkedIn]]**

  *** [[ai:midjourney:workflow|Organizing Workflow]]**