This is a reference sheet, not a tutorial. Bookmark it, and when a render misses, scan the tables for the one parameter that fixes it. Everything here targets Midjourney v8 (released March 17, 2026), which is the current default model and roughly four to five times faster than v6.1.
The rule underneath all of it: put your words first, your parameters last. Describe the subject, the style, and the shot in plain language, then append the --flags that fine-tune it. For the full walkthrough, see our guide on how to prompt Midjourney for photorealism.
The prompt formula
A strong Midjourney prompt is five parts in order: Subject + Description + Style + Composition + Parameters. You don't need all five every time, but naming each removes guesswork.
| Part | What it sets | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | The main thing in frame | "a red fox" |
| Description | Details, materials, mood | "curled asleep on moss, morning frost" |
| Style | Medium or art direction | "wildlife photography" or "watercolor" |
| Composition | Shot, angle, lighting | "close-up, 85mm, soft backlight" |
| Parameters | Technical controls | "--ar 3:2 --style raw --s 50" |
a red fox curled asleep on green moss, morning frost on its fur, wildlife photography, close-up, 85mm lens, soft backlight, shallow depth of field --ar 3:2 --style raw --s 50Swap the subject and the composition, keep the structure, and you can steer almost any image.
Core parameters
These are the flags you'll use every day. All go at the end of the prompt, each starting with a double dash.
| Parameter | Range / values | What it does |
|---|---|---|
--ar | e.g. 1:1, 3:2, 16:9, 9:16 | Aspect ratio of the image. |
--stylize / --s | 0–1000 (default 100) | How much artistic license MJ takes. Low = literal, high = decorative. |
--chaos / --c | 0–100 (default 0) | Variety across the 4 results. Keep under 20 for professional work. |
--style raw | on/off | Turns off MJ's default "pretty" bias. Best for realism, logos, control. |
--no | words | Negative prompt. Excludes anything listed, e.g. --no text, watermark. |
--weird / --w | 0–3000 (default 0) | Pushes unusual, offbeat aesthetics. Use sparingly. |
--tile | on/off | Makes a seamless repeating pattern. |
--seed | 0–4294967295 | Fixes the starting noise so results are repeatable. |
--q | 1, 2, 4 | Quality / detail vs. speed and cost. Default 1. |
--iw | 0–3 (default 1) | Image-prompt weight: how strongly an attached image influences the result. |
--v | e.g. 8 | Model version. --v 8 forces the newest model. |
Best for: photorealism → --style raw --s 50. Illustration → --s 300 or higher. Clean logos → --style raw --s 50 --no gradients, shadows.
Aspect ratios (--ar) at a glance
| Use case | Ratio | Add this |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram square / logo | 1:1 | --ar 1:1 |
| Photo print / classic | 3:2 | --ar 3:2 |
| Desktop wallpaper / YouTube | 16:9 | --ar 16:9 |
| Phone wallpaper / Reels / Stories | 9:16 | --ar 9:16 |
| Portrait / poster | 4:5 or 2:3 | --ar 4:5 |
| Ultra-wide banner / cinematic | 21:9 | --ar 21:9 |
Style & medium modifiers
These words live in the prompt itself (not as flags). One or two is plenty — stacking ten styles muddies the result.
| Category | Words that work |
|---|---|
| Photography | photorealistic, editorial photography, product photography, film still, 35mm, Kodak Portra, documentary |
| Illustration | flat vector, line art, watercolor, gouache, isometric, children's book illustration, risograph |
| 3D / render | 3D render, octane render, clay render, Pixar-style, blender, soft studio lighting |
| Art movements | Art Deco, Bauhaus, ukiyo-e, Art Nouveau, brutalist, minimalist, cyberpunk |
| Mood | moody, dreamy, high-contrast, pastel palette, muted tones, neon, cinematic |
Lighting & camera words
Photographic language is the single biggest lever for realism. Name a lens and a light source and quality jumps.
| Type | Phrases to paste in |
|---|---|
| Lens / camera | 85mm f/1.4, 35mm, macro lens, wide-angle 24mm, shallow depth of field, bokeh |
| Natural light | golden hour, soft window light, overcast diffused light, blue hour, backlit |
| Studio light | softbox lighting, three-point lighting, rim light, high-key, low-key |
| Drama | chiaroscuro, volumetric light, god rays, dramatic shadows, moody spotlight |
References: --sref and Omni Reference
Two different jobs. --sref copies a style — palette, mood, texture — from a reference image URL. Omni Reference copies a subject — a character, object, or product — so it stays consistent across images.
| Tool | Copies | Weight control |
|---|---|---|
--sref [image URL] | The look / style | --sw 0–1000 (default 100) |
| Omni Reference | A specific subject/character | Omni weight --ow 0–1000 |
--sref random | A surprise style seed | Note the seed it returns to reuse it |
a cozy coffee shop interior, warm morning light, wide shot --ar 16:9 --style raw --sref https://your-image-url.jpg --sw 120For a recurring brand mascot or character, see the recurring-character prompts in our Midjourney prompts for characters pack.
Copy-paste starter prompts
Each stacks a subject, a style, a composition, and the right parameters. Swap the brackets and paste into Discord or the web app.
1. Photorealistic portrait
portrait of [PERSON: a weathered fisherman in his 60s], natural skin texture, candid expression, soft overcast light, shot on 85mm f/1.4, shallow depth of field --ar 4:5 --style raw --s 50Why it works: --style raw --s 50 keeps it literal; the lens and light do the realism.
2. Clean vector logo
minimalist [SUBJECT: mountain] logo, simple flat vector, bold geometric shapes, solid white background, single color --style raw --s 50 --no photo, gradient, shadow, 3d, text --ar 1:1Best for: mood-board logo concepts. More in Midjourney prompts for logo design.
3. Product hero shot
[PRODUCT: a matte black skincare bottle] on a wet stone slab, water droplets, studio softbox lighting, seamless beige background, commercial product photography --ar 4:5 --style raw --s 100Best for: ecommerce and ads. See Midjourney prompts for product photography.
4. Cinematic environment
[SCENE: a rain-soaked neon alley in Tokyo] at night, reflections on wet pavement, volumetric light, atmospheric fog, cinematic wide shot, film still --ar 21:9 --s 250Why it works: the 21:9 ratio and "film still" push it toward movie-frame composition.
5. Repeating pattern / texture
seamless pattern of [MOTIF: tropical leaves and hibiscus], flat illustration, limited pastel palette, evenly spaced --tile --ar 1:1 --s 200Best for: fabric, wallpaper, packaging. --tile makes it repeat seamlessly.
Want the ranked pack instead of the reference? Start with our 40 best Midjourney prompts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the basic Midjourney prompt formula?
Subject + Description + Style + Composition + Parameters. Name what you want, describe its details, set an art style or medium, choose the shot and lighting, then add parameters like --ar and --stylize at the end.
What version of Midjourney is current in 2026?
Midjourney v8, released March 17, 2026. It is four to five times faster than v6.1, handles flat graphic styles and quoted text far better, and is the default model. Add --v 8 explicitly if your account defaults to an older model.
What does --stylize do?
--stylize (or --s) controls how much artistic license Midjourney takes, from 0 to 1000, default 100. Low values (0-100) stay literal to your words and are best for photorealism and logos. High values (400-1000) produce more stylized, decorative results.
How do I make an image photorealistic?
Add --style raw, keep --stylize low (0-100), and describe a real camera, lens, and lighting, for example "shot on 85mm f/1.4, soft window light." Avoid words like illustration or render.
What is the --no parameter?
--no is a negative prompt. Anything after it is excluded from the image, for example --no text, watermark, extra fingers. It is the cleanest way to remove unwanted elements.
What is the difference between --sref and Omni Reference?
--sref copies the style (colors, mood, texture) of a reference image. Omni Reference copies a specific subject, character, or object so it stays consistent across images. Use --sref for a look, Omni Reference for a recurring character or product.
Where do parameters go in the prompt?
Always at the very end, after all your descriptive text, each starting with a double dash and separated by spaces, for example ...golden hour --ar 16:9 --style raw --s 50.
How long should a Midjourney prompt be?
In v8, shorter and precise beats long word salad. Aim for one to three clear clauses covering subject, style, and composition, then your parameters. Under 40 words is a good target for logos and product shots.