How to Use Midjourney: A Beginner's Prompt Guide to Stunning AI Art
Key Takeaways
- Midjourney runs on Discord—you don't need a separate app, just a Discord account and a subscription.
- Your prompt is the most important part: be specific, use style references, and adjust parameters like aspect ratio or stylization.
- Style references (--sref) let you copy the vibe of an existing image without copying its content.
- Start simple, then layer in parameters one at a time to avoid confusion.
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What Is Midjourney and Why Should You Care?
Midjourney is an AI image generator that turns text descriptions into pictures. You interact with it inside Discord, which sounds weird at first, but it actually makes collaboration easy—you can see other people's prompts and results in real time. I've been using it since version 4, and the jump from v4 to v6 (the current default) is massive. v6 understands natural language much better, so you don't need to write like a robot anymore.
To get started, you need a Discord account and a Midjourney subscription. Plans start at $10/month for 200 image generations (called "fast hours"). The $30/month plan is more practical if you want unlimited relaxed generations and access to features like style references.
Step 1: Set Up Your Workspace
1. Go to midjourney.com and click "Join the Beta." This takes you to Discord.
2. Accept the invite and join the Midjourney server.
3. Look for any `#newbies` channel—these are public rooms where you can test prompts.
4. Type `/imagine` in the chat box, then hit Space. A prompt box appears.
5. Write your prompt and press Enter.
For privacy, you can create your own Discord server and add the Midjourney bot to it. That way your images stay in your private server. I do this to avoid clutter.
Step 2: Write Your First Prompt
A basic prompt is just a description of what you want. For example:
`/imagine a red fox sitting in a snowy forest, photorealistic, morning light`
Midjourney v6 will give you four variations. Click U1-U4 to upscale one, or V1-V4 to create variations of a specific image. The first result is often okay but not great. The trick is to refine.
Prompt Anatomy
- Subject: clear noun (e.g., "a glass bottle with a ship inside")
- Environment: where is it? (e.g., "on a wooden desk, sunlight from window")
- Style: photorealistic, oil painting, 3D render, etc.
- Lighting/mood: morning light, dramatic shadows, soft glow
- Artist or genre (optional): "in the style of Hayao Miyazaki" or "cinematic"
A Real Example
Weak prompt: `a cat`
Stronger prompt: `a fluffy orange tabby cat sitting on a velvet armchair, painted in the style of Norman Rockwell, warm lamp light, detailed fur texture --ar 4:3`
The second one gives you a specific mood and composition.
Step 3: Use Parameters to Control Output
Parameters are flags you add at the end of your prompt. They change aspect ratio, stylization, chaos, and more.
| Parameter | What it does | Example |
| ----------- | -------------- | --------- |
| --ar | Aspect ratio (width:height) | --ar 16:9 for landscape |
| --s | Stylize (0-1000). Low = literal, high = artistic | --s 250 is a good middle ground |
| --c | Chaos (0-100). High = wild variation | --c 50 for unexpected results |
| --iw | Image weight (0.5-2.0). Used with image prompts | --iw 1.5 to match source image closer |
| --v | Model version | --v 6 (default, but you can specify) |
I usually start with `--ar 16:9 --s 250` for most projects. That gives me a cinematic aspect ratio with moderate artistic flair.
Step 4: Add Style References (--sref)
Style references are my favorite feature in Midjourney v6. You give it an image URL, and Midjourney borrows the visual style—colors, textures, lighting—without copying the subject.
To use it:
1. Upload a style source image to your Discord or any web host.
2. Copy the image URL.
3. Add `--sref [URL]` to your prompt.
Example:
`/imagine a futuristic city skyline at sunset --sref https://example.com/cyberpunk-style.jpg --ar 16:9`
You can also combine multiple style references by listing several URLs separated by spaces. The AI blends them. For instance, one image for color palette, another for texture.
Step 5: Advanced Techniques
Remix Mode
Turn on Remix mode by typing `/settings` and clicking "Remix Mode." Then when you click Vary (Strong) on an image, you can edit the prompt. This is great for iterating on a concept without starting from scratch. I use it to change "red fox" to "silver fox" while keeping the background.
Image Prompts
You can use an image as part of your prompt. Paste the image URL before your text, like:
`/imagine https://example.com/boat.jpg a pirate ship in a stormy sea --iw 1.5`
The `--iw` parameter controls how much the final image matches the source. At 1.5, it's a strong influence; at 0.5, it's subtle.
Negative Prompting
Midjourney doesn't have a native negative prompt, but you can simulate it by adding "--no" followed by things you don't want. For example:
`--no text, watermark, blurry`
It's not perfect, but it helps avoid obvious garbage.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
- Overloading the prompt: Too many details confuse the AI. Stick to 2-3 key elements.
- Ignoring aspect ratio: Default is 1:1 (square). For landscapes, use `--ar 16:9`. For portraits, `--ar 2:3`.
- Expecting perfection in one try: Plan for 5-10 iterations to get something you love.
- Skipping style references: They save time. Don't try to describe a style in words when you can show an example.
My Personal Workflow
1. Start with a simple prompt to get a baseline.
2. Add `--ar 16:9 --s 250`.
3. If I have a style in mind, add `--sref` with a reference image.
4. Upscale the best result.
5. Use Remix Mode to tweak the prompt (e.g., change lighting or color).
6. Repeat until I get the exact image I need.
For a recent project (a book cover), I went through 12 iterations before landing on the final image. The first 3 were garbage. That's normal.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to pay for Midjourney?
A: Yes. The free trial was removed in 2023. The cheapest plan is $10/month for 200 generations in fast mode. You can also use "relaxed" mode for unlimited slow generations on higher plans.
Q: Can I use Midjourney images commercially?
A: Yes, if you have a paid subscription. You own the rights to all images you generate, even on the basic plan. But you cannot use them to train other AI models.
Q: Why do my images look nothing like my prompt?
A: Two common reasons. First, your prompt might be too vague. Add specific details like "photorealistic" or "oil painting." Second, you might be on an older model version. Check `/settings` and make sure you're using V6. Also, try reducing `--s` if the images are too stylized.