Embarking on a creative journey with Midjourney is an exciting endeavor, and crafting realistic portrait prompts is the first step toward bringing your vision to life. In this guide, we’ll explore several helpful tips and master the art of writing Midjourney Portrait Prompts.

Whether you’re a seasoned creator or a novice, these insights will help you navigate the process with ease, ensuring your Midjourney experience is filled with inspiration and remarkable outcomes. Let’s dive into the world of expressive prompts and unleash the power of captivating portraits.

How to Write Realistic Midjourney Portrait Prompts

Creating photorealistic portraits with Midjourney requires thoughtful planning and execution. Follow these tips to craft detailed and realistic Midjourney Portrait Prompts.

1. Version Selection:

Always use –v 5 (i.e. Midjourney version 5) for photorealistic portrait images. This version provides advanced features and improvements that enhance realism.

2. Clear Vision:

Initiate the creative process by forming a clear and detailed vision of the intended portrait. This involves defining key aspects such as the subject’s features, background setting, preferred lighting conditions, and other essential elements that contribute to the overall composition.

Example 1: /imagine a lifelike portrait of a woman sitting in a sunlit garden, wearing a floral dress and holding a book

Example 2: /imagine a realistic portrait of a young man’s face, smiling, against a cityscape at dusk, featuring dramatic shadows and warm ambient light –style raw –s 850 

Also Checkout: Faces in Focus: 12 Midjourney Prompts for Striking Portrait Art

3. Reference Images:

You can utilize high-quality images to guide your  Midjourney portrait prompts. Capture the unique features of your subject. Use the Midjourney img2img feature with a photo URL for optimal results. To make a portrait prompt from a photo:

• Locate URL address of an existing photo.
• Type /imagine and paste your photo URL.
• Type space and continue writing your prompt.

To use your own photo, either upload it or tweet it. Then, extract the URL from the online page where you posted the photo by right-clicking on the image and choosing the “Copy Image Location” option.

For example, lets use this image

Example: /imagine https://s.mj.run/fatwgHmh4cM portrait of a woman, tiara in her hair, lavender flowers, ultra detail, kodak film, natural light, 85mm, f 1.2

4. Lighting Mastery:

Explore the interplay of light and shadows to add depth and dimension to your artistic creation. Experiment with various lighting techniques to enhance the visual richness and bring out the intricacies of your artwork.

Example 1: Emphasize natural sunlight casting soft shadows on the subject’s face.

/imagine high quality raw image, woman in her 20’s, warm sunlight on her face highlighting her freckles –style raw –s 800

Example 2: Emphasize dramatic neon lighting around the subject.

/imagine a portrait of a young asian man with dramatic neon lighting, focusing on chiaroscuro effects, in las vegas, 32k uhd, close up shot, –style raw –s 600 –ar 2:3

5. Detailing:

Pay meticulous attention to intricate elements such as skin texture, individual strands of hair, and clothing details to elevate the overall realism of your portrait. Devoting careful consideration to these finer aspects in your Midjourney portrait prompts, contributes significantly to the authenticity and visual richness of the final artwork.

Also Checkout: The Art of Midjourney Photorealism: A Starter’s Tutorial

Example 1: /imagine A close-up front-facing view portrait of a young french woman with shallow depth of field, highlight her green eyes –ar 2:3

Example 2: /imagine Close-up portrait of a Glamorous ballerina in mid-performance, shot in the style of Lois Greenfield, with high motion and dramatic lighting, Cinematic, Dynamic pose, pay attention to clothing details, such as fabric texture and wrinkles. –ar 2:3

6. Color Play:

Explore a range of color palettes and artistic styles to achieve a unique and memorable result for your  Midjourney portrait prompts. Allow your creativity to flourish by trying out different combinations and approaches, ensuring that your portrait stands out with a distinct visual appeal. You can opt for a warm color palette to evoke a cozy and inviting atmosphere or explore monochromatic tones for a timeless and elegant portrait.

Example 1: /imagine a close up shot of a beautiful woman, dramatic and stunning award winning photo, dramatic linear delicacy, shot on Sony aiii high resolution digital camera, hyper realistic skin, warm color palette, very natural features, f/11 –uplight –style raw

Example 2: /imagine A realistic portrait of a young couple [man and woman] in love with a vintage or retro feel, adding a nostalgic and romantic timeless quality. finely detailed, Expressive emotions, monochromatic tones –style raw

7. Special Effects:

Explore the inclusion of props or unique effects, such as subtle smoke, to enhance visual interest in your Midjourney portraits. For instance, incorporating a vintage camera prop adds character and narrative depth.

Example: /imagine a photorealistic portrait of young woman, surrounded by smoke, dark moody style, close-up shot, shot on Sony aiii high resolution digital camera, hyper realistic skin –style raw

8. Aspect Ratio Specification:

Specify the aspect ratio in your Midjourney Portrait Prompts. The recommended ratio is 2:3 for realistic portraits. Consider how this ratio enhances the overall composition and visual appeal of your generated portraits.

Example: Develop a photorealistic portrait of an old italian man that showcases their unique cultural or ethnic heritage, highlighting their diversity and identity, happy and proud emotions, Classic, –ar 2:3 –style raw

9. Iterative Approach:

Continuously experiment and refine your Midjourney portrait prompts to perfect the final image. Iterate based on the generated results to achieve the desired level of realism.

Conclusion

Crafting realistic Midjourney portrait prompts is an art that involves precision and creativity. By following these insightful tips, you can enhance your ability to generate prompts that yield lifelike and captivating results. Remember to consider the details, evoke emotions, and be specific in your descriptions. Practice makes perfect, so experiment with different prompts to find your unique style. With each well-crafted prompt, you pave the way for stunning portrait creations in the Midjourney world. Dive into the realm of possibilities and let your imagination flow as you embark on your journey of writing realistic Midjourney portrait prompts.