Midjourney Prompt Engineering: Tips for Stunning AI Art Every Time

1. Be Specific and Detailed

Midjourney thrives on precision. Generic prompts like “a forest” leave too much to chance. Instead, layer details to guide the AI:

• Subject: “A golden retriever playing fetch in a sunlit meadow.”

• Environment: “Surrounded by wildflowers, with a misty mountain range in the distance.”

• Style: “Hyperrealistic photography, shallow depth of field, Canon EOS R5, 85mm lens.”

• Mood: “Warm, joyful, nostalgic.”

Example:

• 🚫 “A fantasy castle”

• ✅ “A towering Gothic castle with intricate stone carvings, glowing lanterns, and a moat reflecting the moonlight. Style: digital painting, inspired by Alphonse Mucha.”

2. Use Positive Language

Avoid negative terms like “no” or “avoid.” Instead, focus on what you do want:

• 🚫 “A cat without stripes”

• ✅ “A solid black cat with glossy fur.”

This minimizes confusion and ensures the AI prioritizes your core vision.

3. Reference Art Styles, Artists, or Mediums

Incorporate specific artistic influences to steer the output:

• Photography: “National Geographic-style wildlife photo, golden hour lighting, 200mm telephoto lens.”

• Painting: “Oil painting in the style of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, swirling skies over a village.”

• 3D Art: “Cyberpunk cityscape, Blender render, neon-lit rain, cinematic lighting.”

Pro Tip: Use Midjourney’s /describe command to reverse-engineer styles from reference images.

4. Optimize Technical Parameters

Tailor settings for precision:

• Aspect Ratio: --ar 16:9 (for widescreen landscapes) or --ar 1:1 (social media).

• Stylization: --s 750 (high creativity) to --s 100 (more literal).

• Version: --v 6 (latest realism) or --niji 6 (anime/manga).

Example:
/imagine a futuristic spaceship hovering over Mars, 8K NASA-style photo, red dust storm, --ar 3:2 --s 600 --v 6

5. Iterate and Refine

Test variations to hone in on your vision:

1. Start with a broad prompt: “A warrior in a forest.”

2. Add details: “A samurai in cherry blossom forest, wearing red lacquer armor, Ukiyo-e woodblock print style.”

3. Adjust parameters: --s 900 for more stylized results.

Case Study:

• Initial output for “Darth Vader eating noodles” lacked clarity.

• Refined prompt: “Darth Vader sitting on a medieval throne, eating ramen with chopsticks, Star Wars meets feudal Japan, cinematic lighting.”

6. Leverage Advanced Techniques

• Prompt Weighting: Use :: to emphasize elements.

  • “Cyberpunk city::2 neon lights::3 rain::1” (prioritizes neon and city over rain).

• Negative Prompts: Exclude unwanted elements (requires --no parameter).

  • “A serene beach --no people, buildings, trash”

• Seed Numbers: Replicate styles with --seed [number] for consistency.

7. Stay Updated with Trends

Midjourney’s algorithms evolve. Follow these 2025 best practices:

• Use --style raw for less default stylization.

• Experiment with --chaos 50 for unexpected creativity.

• For photorealism, specify camera details: “Sony α7 IV, 24mm, f/2.8, ISO 100.”

Comparison: Basic vs. Enhanced Prompts

Pro Tips for Power Users

• Bulk Create: Generate 100+ variations overnight using --repeat.

• Private Mode: Subscribe to avoid clutter in public Discord channels.

• Community Libraries: Borrow prompts from platforms like Midjourney Showcase or PromptHero.

Final Thoughts
Midjourney prompt engineering is a skill that improves with experimentation. Start with specificity, refine with parameters, and don’t shy away from testing bold ideas. As AI art tools advance, staying adaptable ensures your creations remain cutting-edge.

“The only limit is your imagination—and how well you can describe it.”

For more inspiration, explore Midjourney’s /explore feature or dive into communities like Reddit’s r/Midjourney. Happy prompting!