Midjourney - what is it and how to use it?

In recent years, generative artificial intelligence has revolutionized the way we create and work with all kinds of media. One of the most important breakthroughs in the field of image generation is Midjourney, a powerful AI tool that allows you to transform simple text descriptions into stunning visualizations. In this article, you'll learn everything you need to know about Midjourney, from the basics to advanced techniques that will help you realize the full potential of this tool.
What is a Midjourney?
Midjourney is an advanced artificial intelligence model developed by Midjourney Inc. an independent research company founded by David Holz (co-founder of Leap Motion). It is an image generation tool that converts text descriptions (known as prompts) into digital images.
Unlike traditional graphics tools, which require technical and artistic skills, Midjourney allows anyone - regardless of skill level - to create stunning visualizations with properly worded text commands.
How does Midjourney work?
Midjourney uses advanced machine learning algorithms and neural networks to interpret textual descriptions and transform them into images. The model has been trained on vast amounts of visual and textual data, allowing it to understand complex concepts, artistic styles, compositions and visual elements.
When you enter a text description (prompt), the system analyzes it, identifies key elements, concepts and relationships, and then generates an image that best matches your description. Each generation is unique, even if you use the same prompt multiple times.

How do I get started using Midjourney?
Step 1: Create a Discord account
Midjourney currently operates primarily through the Discord platform. To get started, you must:
- Create an account on Discord if you don't already have one
- Join the official Midjourney server
Step 2: Subscription
While you can try Midjourney for free on a limited basis, for full functionality you need a subscription. Various pricing plans are available:
- Basic Plan ($10/month): Offers approximately 200 generations per month
- Standard Plan ($30/month): Offers approximately 900 generations per month
- Pro Plan ($60/month): Offers approximately 3,000 generations per month
- Mega Plan ($120/month): Offers about 10000 generations per month
Step 3: Create the first image
Once you join the Midjourney server and activate your subscription:
- Go to one of the channels marked "#newbies" or any other available channel
- Type the command /imagine followed by your description (prompt)
- Press Enter and wait for image generation
Example:
/imagine a futuristic cyberpunk city at night with neon lights and flying cars
Midjourney prompt basics
Creating effective prompts is key to getting the results you want at Midjourney. Here are some basic tips:
Structure of an effective prompt
A good prompt should include:
- Main topic: what do you want to see in the painting
- Details: Details you want to include (colors, materials, lighting)
- Style: artistic style, inspiration, mood
- Technical parameters: proportions, quality, model version
An example of a comprehensive prompt:
/imagine detailed portrait of an elderly fisherman with weathered skin, deep wrinkles, wearing a blue knitted hat, dramatic side lighting, cinematic composition, 85mm lens, photorealistic, --ar 2:3 --v 5
Parameters and flags
Midjourney offers a number of parameters that you can add to your prompts:
- --v or --version: Specifies the version of the model (e.g. --v 5 for version 5)
- --ar or --aspect: Sets the aspect ratio (e.g. --ar 16:9 for wide format)
- --q or --quality: Controls the amount of detail and rendering time (e.g. --q 2 for high quality).
- --s or --stylize: Controls the impact of midjourney style (from 0 to 1000)
- --chaos: Affects the randomness and creativity of the results (from 0 to 100)
Styles and references
You can indicate a particular artistic style:
/imagine mountain landscape, style of Bob Ross --v 5
Or refer to a certain aesthetic:
/imagine portrait of a woman, cyberpunk style, neon colors, dystopian future --v 5
Advanced techniques in Midjourney
Negative Prompting
You can specify what you do NOT want to see in the image by using the --no parameter:
/imagine beautiful landscape with mountains and a lake --no people, buildings, boats --v 5
Blend (mixing images)
You can combine two or more images using the /blend command:
/blend [link to image 1] [link to image 2].
Modification of existing images
Once the image is generated, Midjourney gives you the option:
- Generate variants (buttons V1, V2, V3, V4)
- Increase resolution (button U1, U2, U3, U4)
- Create a version with different proportions (Vary Region option)
Use of visual references
You can attach reference images to the prompt:
/imagine [image link] portrait in the style of the reference image
Practical applications of Midjourney
Midjourney can be used in many areas:
1. design and concept art
- Quick visualizations of product concepts
- Character design for games and movies
- Creating moodboards and inspiration
2. marketing and social media
- Generate attractive visuals for campaigns
- Create unique graphics for social media posts
- Design of brand identity elements
3. publications and content
- Illustrations for articles and e-books
- Book and publication covers
- Educational materials and presentations
4. personal development and hobbies
- Visualize your ideas and dreams
- Creating personalized souvenirs
- Exploration of artistic styles
Best practices and ethics
Copyright and intellectual property
Images generated by Midjourney are subject to different rules depending on the type of subscription:
- In Basic and Standard plan: images are licensed for non-commercial use
- In Pro and Mega plan: images can be used commercially by subscribers
Always check Midjourney's current copyright terms and conditions.
Ethics and responsibility
Remember some ethical principles:
- Do not generate content that depicts violence, nudity or adult content
- Avoid creating misinformation or misrepresentations of real people
- Respect and mark when content is generated by AI
Tips and tricks for better results
- Experiment with different versions of the model - each version has its own strengths
- Create detailed prompts - the more details, the more precise the result
- Use technical parameters - proportions, quality and level of styling have a huge impact
- Combine styles - for example, "in the impressionist style, but with elements of cyberpunk."
- Save successful prompts - create a library of effective commands
- Use blending - blending images can give surprising results
- Don't be afraid to iterate - sometimes the best results are achieved after several attempts
Troubleshooting
Common problems and their solutions
- Overloaded servers: If Midjourney is not responding, try later or change the channel
- Inaccurate results: Clarify the prompt, add more details, or use the --s parameter with a higher value
- Generation errors: Report the problem on the Discord Midjourney server

Summary
Midjourney is a revolutionary tool that democratizes the image creation process, making it accessible to anyone, regardless of artistic skill. With an intuitive interface based on text descriptions, you can generate stunning visualizations that previously would have required years of practice in traditional methods.
Keep in mind that like any tool, Midjourney has some limitations, but with each update it becomes more and more powerful. The best way to master this tool is to experiment - try out different prompts, parameters and techniques to discover Midjourney's full potential.
Whether you're a professional designer looking for a way to speed up the creative process, a marketer in need of eye-catching visuals, or just someone who wants to play with art, Midjourney offers unparalleled opportunities for visual expression available with just a few words.
Start your adventure with Midjourney today and discover how textual descriptions can be transformed into fascinating works of art!