How to Use Midjourney to create Stunning Visual Art and Images

Want to unlock your inner artist and create captivating visuals, even if you can't draw a stick figure?

Well, we've got just the thing for you - MidJourney, your new AI-powered creative sidekick.

Forget spending hours slaving over a canvas or fiddling with Photoshop. Forget scrapping doodle after drawing after the draft and running out an entire sketchbook and still not getting anywhere. Gone are the days of spending hundreds on paints and pencils you never use.

With MidJourney, conjuring up imaginative art is as easy as writing a few words.

See, MidJourney isn't your average AI art generator. While new kids like DALL-E and Stable Diffusion are making waves, MidJourney has already cemented itself as a creative powerhouse.

And We're here to show you the ropes so you can start wowing your friends with your overnight artistic talents. Let's get into it.

How to Start Using Midjourney Right Now

Step #1: Register with Discord

Create a Discord account if you haven't already. This free account lets you interact with the Midjourney Bot—available wherever Discord is (including web, mobile, and desktop apps).

Step #2: Register with Midjourney

With Discord all set, make your way to Midjourney's webpage and click on "Join the Beta." Alternatively, you can use the Discord invite link for a prompt redirection.

Accepting the invite to Midjourney's Discord opens the gateway to its server.

Step #3: Choose your Midjourney subscription

Midjourney avails of four membership options. Members can access the gallery, commercial usage terms, and the official Discord server, regardless of the chosen tier.

Check the Midjourney guidelines for comprehensive plan details. Use the /subscribe command in a newcomer room (i.e., #general-13) to subscribe.

Note: there is no longer a free plan, so you'll need to get the Basic plan at $10 at the minimum to use this service.

Step #4: Bring images to life

Once you're signed up, it's time to start generating.

Head over to any of the channels in Discord or contact the Midjourney bot in your direct messages to start generating, or explore the various channels to see what others are doing to get inspired.

Remember, if you're using a Discord channel, your generations will be publicly visible in the members' gallery. For private image generation (stealth mode), consider the Pro Plan subscription.

Also: Mastering the Art of AI Design: A Guide to Canva AI

Creating Your First Midjourney Image: A Quick Guide

Kick off your Midjourney art creation by visiting a newcomer channel—denoted "#newbies-" and a number—on the Discord server.

Don't sweat over your choice, as these channels are alike, or you can now directly message the Midjourney bot in your Discord direct private messages. However, any generations you make here will still be available via Midjourney's public gallery.

Initiate your prompt using Discord commands: type "/imagine" followed by your desired image description.

For instance:

/imagine prompt: A mesmerizing bonsai tree

In approximately a minute, Midjourney's bot will produce four versions of your image.

Optimizing Your Midjourney Creations

Once your image materializes, the Midjourney bot presents several prompts for editing and fine-tuning. You have some options:

U buttons

Ranging from U1 to U4, U buttons are utilized to upscale an image, enhancing its size and details. Simply see the pictures from left to right, then top to bottom as 1, 2, 3, 4, and click the corresponding button.

Once upscaled, you can continue to edit the image depending on the button you press or click the Web button to open the image in a new browser window where you can then download it.

V buttons

Found between V1-V4, V buttons tweak variations in your grid image, leading to a new image grid that retains the overall look and composition of the original. The image practically remains the same, just with a few changes so you can fine-tune your image before exporting it.

The ? (re-roll)

For a fresh start, you can rerun the whole operation using the re-roll option. This re-executes the initial prompt, birthing a new set of images.

How to Enhance Your Midjourney Prompts

Incorporating options as parameters in your prompts modifies image generation. Changeable aspects include image Aspect Ratios, Midjourney Model Versions, the active Upscaler, and much more.

These parameters are appended at the prompt's end. Feel free to add multiple parameters per prompt.

Key Parameters and Their Functions

●   --aspect, or --ar: Alters the aspect ratio of generated images. For example, "-- ar 3:2" creates a wider angle image.

●   --chaos <number 0–100>: Adds an element of unpredictability to the outcomes. High values lead to more unique generations.

●   --fast: Overrides the current setting, rapidly running a single job.

●   --iw <0–2>: Dictates the image prompt's weight relative to the text weight. By default, it is set to 1.

●   --no: This negative prompt attempts to exclude specific elements from the image, for instance, --no plants.

●   --quality <.25, .5, or 1>, or --q <.25, .5, or 1>: Adjusts the rendering quality time. Default is set at 1; high values consume more GPU minutes, whereas low values save GPU time.

●   --relax: Overrides the current setting to execute a single job in Relax Mode.

●   --repeat <1–40>, or --r <1–40>: Useful for re-executing a single job multiple times.

●   --seed <integer between 0–4294967295>: A unique seed number used to create visual noise as a starting point. Same seed number with the same prompt will yield similar final images.

●   --stop <integer between 10–100>: Halts the job halfway through, creating blurrier and less detailed images.

●   --style <raw>: Switches between the Midjourney Model Version 5.1 and 5.2.

●   --style <4a, 4b, or 4c>: Switches between versions of the Midjourney Model Version 4.

●   --style <cute, expressive, original, or scenic>: Alters versions of the Niji Model Version 5.

●   --stylize <number>, or --s <number>: Determines the intensity of Midjourney's default style applied to Jobs.

●   --tile: Produces images that can be used in repeating patterns to form seamless designs.

●   --turbo: Overrides the existing setting to execute a single job in Turbo Mode.

●   --weird <number 0–3000>, or --w <number 0–3000>: This experimental parameter can be used to explore unusual aesthetics.

Also: Strategies for Crafting Effective Prompts for AI Images

How to Enhance Your Images Through Prompting

If you really want to get the best results from your MIdjourney generations, it all comes down to masterful prompt writing. Whatever you're trying to generate, from an art piece to a company logo, to formulate more varied and influential images, you need to optimize your text prompts.

Here are some tips on how to do just that:

Starting With Image Prompts

Initiating image prompts requires inputting or pasting the web address of the image post the '/imagine' command on Discord. Please note that the web address should reflect a .png, .gif, or .jpg extension to function correctly.

For example, you could upload a picture of yourself and ask Midjourney to create professional-looking headshots for your social media accounts.

For instance:

●   /imagine prompt: http://imageURL1.png description of what to imagine --parameter1 --parameter2

This means that after stating the image URL, you can append text prompts and parameters to refine your output.

Top Tip: You can actually upload an image to the Midjourney private message, right-click it, copy the image URL, and then use this address in your prompt.

Rules of Image Prompting

●   Prompts using images must initiate with the image web address.

●   For functional prompts, there should be a pair of images or a single image and text.

●   The image URL must be a direct link to an image on the internet.

●   Your file extension should be one of the following: .png, .gif, .webp, .jpg, or .jpeg.

●   In most browsers, you can obtain an image URL by right-clicking the image and opting for 'Copy Image Address.'

●   The command '/blend' is a mobile-user-friendly procedure for minimalist image prompting.

Uploading Images From Your Computer or Mobile

While you learned that including an image in your prompt necessitates a web address link ending with .png, .gif, .webp, .jpg, or .jpeg, what if your source image is stored on your computer or mobile?

Again, the Midjourney bot can help.

As above, you can send an image to the Midjourney bot via a direct Discord message. Subsequently, right-click to copy the image link address and then use that address in the prompt, thus generating an acceptable link for use in the prompt.

Mastering Midjourney: Tips for Creating Stunning Art with AI

Unleashing the full potential of Midjourney, AI-based art software, doesn't require you to possess advanced technical skills or an art background.

Instead, it combines the immense power of AI with your guiding input to create striking, one-of-a-kind artworks.

Below are valuable tips to elevate your Midjourney experience:

1. Dream Big, Craft the Perfect Prompt

Allow your imagination to run wild and dream big! Don't fret about perfecting your creations from the get-go. Enjoy the process, and remember to embrace curiosity. The right prompt is key to eliciting powerful outputs from the software.

2. Quality Inputs Trigger Quality Outputs

An AI system like Midjourney thrives on the quality of data it consumes. Ensure your text prompts are of good quality. The better the input, the more satisfactory and accurate the outcome.

3. Embrace Mistakes

Don't shy away from making mistakes. The beauty of Midjourney lies in its capacity to convert small, unanticipated changes into magnificent results. Learn to adapt and build upon these "happy accidents."

4. Ability to Focus is Essential

Precisely chosen and controlled prompts can guide the AI to concentrate on specific aspects of the given information and enhance its predictions and outcomes. Small changes can indeed lead to notable improvements.

5. Enjoy the Journey

One of the core aspects of Midjourney is promoting fun and playfulness. Enjoy the process and revel in your creations.

6. Blend Styles

A unique attribute of art is the freedom to combine elements from different styles or techniques to craft a unique piece. Midjourney enables you to articulate this "mashup," combining and manipulating several styles to produce a fresh, exquisite work of art.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to go about this; instead, it's about being creative with how you get to your final project. This means being creative, stimulating, and experimenting.

Through trial and error, working with the community, and keeping up with the trends and latest updates, you can produce some outstanding results every time you generate.

Also: MidJourney Ventures into App Space with Niji Journey Release

Troubleshooting: Solving Common Midjourney Challenges

Around the Midjourney bend, a bump or two is perfectly normal. Let's troubleshoot some common roadblocks you might encounter:

●   Unwanted Error Message: You might be trying to add too many parameters simultaneously, and Midjourney's getting overwhelmed. Dial it back a notch, simplify your stage direction, and give it another go.

●   No Image in Sight: If it feels like you've been waiting for an eternity—with no beautiful image showing up—check your subscription status. It might've expired, and you'll need to renew.If not, close Discord and open it again.

●   Unresolved Prompts: Midjourney might need help with interpreting your prompt. Try making your descriptions more explicit or change the order of your elements for better clarity.

●   Unexpected Outputs: Encountering different results than anticipated? Remember, Midjourney thrives on AI randomness. Sometimes, adjusting the Seed and Chaos parameters might come in handy.

●   Issues with Advanced Techniques: Getting tangled in the advanced settings? Take a deep breath, break it down piece by piece, and remember: practice makes perfect.

Remember, whenever you're stuck, the Midjourney Discord community (particularly the #help section) is your go-to spot for assistance and friendly advice.

Keep pushing, keep creating, and revel in the journey—it's called Midjourney for a reason!

Conclusion: Your Journey with Midjourney

Inspired by the artistry of AI with Midjourney? Dive into the vast, magnificent world of AI-generated art and open the doors of imagination that seemed previously unimaginable. Building a bridge between technology and creativity, Midjourney offers an intriguing venture into the delightful synergy of human artistry and artificial intelligence.

Now it's your turn to start creating, experimenting, and expressing yourself. Dive into your artistic journey with Midjourney, and remember, every masterpiece begins with a single stroke.