A Short Guide to Writing Effective Prompts.
Creating the perfect prompt in Midjourney is an art that allows you to generate precise and stunning graphics. The way you formulate your prompt has a crucial impact on the final result. In this article, I will explore how to write effective prompts, which Midjourney parameters can influence the outcome, and provide examples of good and bad prompts.
Before we delve into the specifics of prompt creation, let’s explore the key principles that will guide us in this process.
Key Principles for Writing Effective Prompts
- Precision and Specific Descriptions – the more detailed your description, the better Midjourney understands your intent.
- Word Order – the most important elements should be placed at the beginning of the prompt.
- Avoiding Ambiguity – avoid vague terms like “beautiful”; instead, use “a stunning mountain landscape at sunset.”
- Using the Right Parameters – parameters help fine-tune the image output.
- Experimentation – Midjourney is a creative tool, so testing different formulations and combinations is key.
Now that we’ve grasped the fundamental principles of crafting effective prompts, let’s take a closer look at the parameters offered by Midjourney, which allow us to fine-tune the generated images.
Key Midjourney Parameters for Ideal Prompts
- ar (aspect ratio) – defines the image proportions.
- s (stylize) – controls the level of artistic stylization.
- q (quality) – sets the level of detail.
- v (version) – sets the version of AI Model.
- style raw – provides greater control over realism in images.
Armed with the knowledge of the available parameters, let’s move on to concrete examples. Let’s see how to create good prompts in practice and what mistakes to avoid.
Examples of Good and Bad Prompts
Example 1: Portrait of a Woman

Bad Prompt:
woman

Good Prompt:
A young woman with red hair, wearing a Renaissance gown, golden lighting, Baroque style --ar 4:5 --v 6
Selected Parameters:
- ar 4:5
- v 6
Why These Parameters? The 4:5 format (portrait format) is ideal for portraits, and Model V6 (best-quality model) generates high-quality realistic images.
Example 2: Futuristic City

Bad Prompt:
futuristic city

Good Prompt:
A gigantic futuristic city with neon lights, floating vehicles, cyberpunk atmosphere, night lighting --ar 16:9 --stylize 750
Selected Parameters:
- ar 16:9
- stylize 750
Why These Parameters? The 16:9 (panoramic view) wide format captures city scenery better, and a high (more artistic look) –stylize value adds uniqueness.
Example 3: Serene Landscape

Bad Prompt:
beautiful landscape

Good Prompt:
A tranquil mountain lake surrounded by pine trees, early morning mist, soft sunlight reflecting on the water, ultra-realistic photography --ar 16:9 --q 2 --v 6
Selected Parameters:
- ar 16:9
- q 2
- v 6
Why These Parameters? The 16:9 aspect ratio (panoramic format) enhances scenic compositions, and –q 2 (highest quality) ensures high detail for a photorealistic effect.
Example 4: Sci-Fi Scene

Bad Prompt:
space base

Good Prompt:
A high-tech space base on a distant planet, futuristic towers, metallic surfaces, intense starlight, realistic style --ar 21:9 --v 6 --stylize 500
Selected Parameters:
- ar 21:9
- stylize 500
- v 6
Why These Parameters? –ar 21:9 (ultra-wide format) gives a cinematic look, and –stylize 500 (moderate stylization) balances the artistic effect.
Example 5: Animals

Bad Prompt:
dog in the forest

Good Prompt:
A happy golden retriever running through an autumn forest, realistic fur details, warm light, high-quality photography --q 2 --v 6 --style raw
Selected Parameters:
- q 2
- style raw
Why These Parameters? –q 2 (highest quality) ensures fine details, while –style raw (greater realism control) achieves a more natural look.
Having analyzed examples of good and bad prompts, we can take it a step further and create our own formulas that will make it easier for us to generate images in the future.
Prompt Formulas for User Exploration
Formula:
[adjective] [subject] wearing [clothing], [lighting], [art style] --ar [aspect ratio] --v 6
Example:
Elderly man with a long beard, wearing medieval armor, dramatic lighting, oil painting --ar 4:5 --v 6
Formula:
[size] futuristic city with [lighting], [vehicles], [atmosphere], [time of day] --ar [aspect ratio] --stylize [value]
Example:
A massive futuristic city with neon lights, flying cars, cyberpunk aesthetic, night scene --ar 16:9 --stylize 750
Formula:
[type of landscape], [time of day], [weather], [lighting], [mood] --ar [aspect ratio] --q 2 --v 6
Example:
Snowy mountain peaks at dawn, soft mist, golden sunlight, peaceful atmosphere --ar 16:9 --q 2 --v 6
Formula:
[environment description], [lighting], [futuristic elements], [color scheme] --ar [aspect ratio] --stylize [value] --v 6
Example:
A cyberpunk city with glowing neon signs, blue and purple lighting, rainy night, flying cars --ar 16:9 --stylize 750 --v 6
Formula:
[adjective] [animal] [action] in [environment], [lighting], [photographic style] --q 2 --v 6 --style raw
Example:
A majestic wolf howling on a snowy hill, moonlight glow, high-detail photography --q 2 --v 6 --style raw
Equipped with ready-made formulas, we can generate a variety of images in Midjourney. However, remember that the key to success lies in experimentation and continuous improvement of our skills.
Conclusion
Creating the perfect prompt in Midjourney requires a conscious choice of words and optimal parameters. By following the principles and examples above, you can generate more refined and intentional images. Experiment, test, and create!