How to write effective prompts on Midjourney
Quick Answer
Effective Midjourney prompts combine clear subject descriptions with specific style keywords and parameters. Start with basic descriptions, add artistic styles and technical parameters, then refine using aspect ratios and quality settings.
Prerequisites
- Active Midjourney subscription
- Discord account linked to Midjourney
- Basic understanding of image composition
- Familiarity with Discord interface
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Start with a clear subject description
Begin your prompt with the main subject you want to create. Type
/imagine in Discord and describe your subject clearly. For example: "portrait of a woman" or "futuristic cityscape". Be specific about key details like age, clothing, setting, and mood. Avoid vague terms and use concrete, descriptive language. Use 5-15 words for your core subject to maintain focus while providing enough detail.
2
Add artistic style and medium keywords
Enhance your prompt with style descriptors after your main subject. Include artistic styles like "oil painting", "watercolor", "digital art", or reference famous artists like "in the style of Van Gogh". Add lighting keywords such as "golden hour", "dramatic lighting", or "soft diffused light" to control the mood.
Combine 2-3 style elements maximum to avoid conflicting instructions that confuse the AI.
3
Include composition and camera settings
Specify the composition using photography terms like "close-up", "wide shot", "bird's eye view", or "low angle". Add camera settings such as "shallow depth of field", "35mm lens", or "macro photography". Include quality descriptors like "highly detailed", "sharp focus", or "8K resolution".
Photography terms work well even for non-photographic styles as they help define composition and perspective.
4
Use parameter flags for technical control
Add parameter flags at the end of your prompt for technical control. Use
--ar 16:9 for aspect ratio, --v 6 for Midjourney version, and --s 250 for stylization strength (0-1000). Common ratios include --ar 1:1 for square, --ar 3:2 for landscape, and --ar 9:16 for portrait orientation. Lower stylization values (50-250) give more literal interpretations, while higher values (750-1000) create more artistic variations.
5
Apply negative prompting with --no
Exclude unwanted elements using the
--no parameter. Add --no blur, low quality, watermark to remove common unwanted features. For portraits, use --no extra limbs, distorted face to avoid anatomical issues. Separate multiple negative terms with commas. Focus on the most problematic elements for your specific image type rather than listing every possible unwanted feature.
6
Structure your complete prompt properly
Organize your final prompt in this order: Subject + Action/Pose + Setting + Style + Lighting + Camera/Composition + Parameters. Example:
/imagine portrait of elderly wizard, casting spell, mystical library, digital art, dramatic lighting, close-up shot, highly detailed --ar 2:3 --v 6 --s 400 Keep total prompt length under 100 words as Midjourney may ignore excessive detail in very long prompts.
7
Iterate and refine your results
Generate your initial image and use U1-U4 buttons to upscale preferred variations or V1-V4 to create variations. For further refinement, use the Vary (Strong) or Vary (Subtle) buttons. Copy successful prompt elements and modify specific terms for different results while keeping the structure that worked.
Save effective prompt formulas in a document and modify only specific keywords for similar future projects.
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
Images don't match the described subject
Move your main subject to the beginning of the prompt and use more specific, concrete descriptive words instead of abstract concepts.
Results are too stylized or abstract
Lower the stylization parameter to --s 50 or --s 100 and add terms like "realistic" or "photographic" to your prompt.
Getting unwanted duplicate subjects or extra limbs
Use negative prompting with --no extra limbs, multiple people, duplicates and be more specific about single subject in your main description.
Images have poor composition or framing
Add specific camera angle terms like "centered composition", "rule of thirds", or "professional photography" and use appropriate aspect ratios.
Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Midjourney website before purchasing.