Midjourney is an independent research lab that offers an AI program generating images from text descriptions called prompts. Unlike other platforms, Midjourney works mainly through Discord where users interact with a bot to create their artwork.
How midjourney works
Users join the official Midjourney Discord server and type commands in specific channels starting with /imagine. The AI then processes the text prompt and generates several image options. Users can choose to upscale their favorites or create variations. Final images can be downloaded or used as inspiration for new prompts.
Getting started with midjourney
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Accessing midjourney
Midjourney is accessible only via Discord. To get started, join the official Midjourney Discord, subscribe to a plan starting at 10 dollars per month, and find a “newbies” channel to create your first images. -
Basic commands
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/imagine: Generate images from your prompts
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/settings: Adjust default options like version and quality
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/info: Check your account status and remaining fast hours
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/subscribe: Get your subscription link
Crafting effective midjourney prompts
The quality of the images depends heavily on how you write your prompts. A good prompt typically includes:
Subject description, art style, artist references, composition details, color palette, lighting, and additional parameters.
Examples of prompts
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“Majestic elven castle in misty mountains, fantasy art style by Greg Rutkowski and Alphonse Mucha, intricate details, ethereal lighting, vibrant colors, 8k”
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“Cyberpunk female hacker portrait, neon-lit face, cinematic lighting, by Simon Stålenhag and Beeple, hyper-detailed, 4k”
Advanced prompt techniques
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Weighting: Use :: to emphasize elements (e.g., “cat::1.5 dog::0.8”)
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Negative prompts: Use –no to exclude elements (e.g., “–no text, watermark”)
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Chaos parameter: Use –chaos 50 for more variation on a scale from 0 to 100
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Stylize: Use –stylize 1000 for more artistic interpretation
Midjourney limitations
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Struggles with accurate text rendering
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Faces and hands can sometimes look distorted
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Images are square by default (use –ar to change aspect ratio)
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No built-in image editing; you must regenerate images to make changes
Midjourney subscription plans
| Plan | Price | Fast GPU Hours | Relax Mode | Commercial Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 10 dollars/mo | 3.3 hours | Yes | No |
| Standard | 30 dollars/mo | 15 hours | Yes | Yes |
| Pro | 60 dollars/mo | 30 hours | Yes | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
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Is midjourney free?
Midjourney offers limited free trials, but generally requires a paid subscription after the trial period. -
Can I sell midjourney artwork?
Yes, commercial use is allowed on Standard and Pro plans. Check Midjourney’s terms for details. -
How to get higher resolution images?
Upscale images with built-in options or use third-party tools like Topaz Gigapixel. -
What is the difference between fast and relax mode?
Fast mode uses your paid GPU time for immediate generation. Relax mode processes images slower without using GPU time.
Midjourney is among the most accessible and powerful AI art tools available today. Although it requires learning prompt crafting, it can create stunning artwork for digital artists, designers, and creatives. As the technology evolves, we can expect even more advanced features.
Beginners should study successful community prompts and experiment with styles and parameters. The best AI art blends the tool’s strengths with human creativity and refinement.
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