Realistic image generation with Midjourney

1. What is Midjourney?

Midjourney is an AI tool that lets you make ultra-realistic images from text descriptions. With over 16 million users, it's one of the most popular image creation tools. 

What’s the big deal with Midjourney?

There are many AI tools for generating images, but Midjourney takes the crown.

The images Midjourney creates look (most of the time) stunning right from the start. But Midjourney also offers many customization options that other tools do not have. With these options, you can make the images look exactly how you want.

2. Getting Started with Midjourney

To get started with Midjourney, you first need to create a Discord account. Discord is a popular messaging app where Midjourney is hosted.

Here's a step-by-step guide to get you up and running with Midjourney:

Step 1: Create a Discord Account 

If you don't have one already, go to Discord's website and create a new account. The process is straightforward and only requires an email address.

You can download the Discord app or use the browser version.

Step 2: Join the Midjourney Discord Server

Once you have a Discord account, you'll need to join the Midjourney Discord server. You can do this by visiting the official Midjourney website and clicking the "Join the Beta" button.

Step 3: Verify Your Account 

After joining the Midjourney Discord server, you'll be prompted to verify your account. Follow the instructions provided to complete the verification process.

Step 4: Subscribe to Midjourney 

To get started with Midjourney you need a paid subscription. The subscription cost is $10 per month or $96 per year. You can subscribe directly through their website or the Discord server.

Step 5: Start Creating 

Once you've subscribed, you can start using Midjourney by typing commands in the designated channel within the Discord server. The next section will guide you through the process of creating your first image using Midjourney.

By following these steps, you'll have Midjourney set up and ready to go. 

3. How to generate images

Now that you are all set up, it's time to create some magic.

Step 1: Writing Your Image Prompt

Prompting with Midjourney used to be a hassle, but not it's really straightforward.

For example, let’s say I want to create an image of people working in a modern office. My prompt could then simply be:

Step 2: Imagine your prompt

This is the most fun part where we are going to submit our prompt to Midjourney to generate an image.

We can do this by typing /imagine [your prompt]

So for example: 

Once you submit your prompt, Midjourney will start generating the images. Watch as they slowly transform from a pixelated blur into beautiful visuals.

Step 3: Creating variations

Midjourney creates a set of four different variations of your prompt, allowing you to choose the one that best matches your vision. 

When your images are generated, you'll see options like "V1-V4" and "U1-U4." 

The "V" options create variations for each corresponding image. For instance, if you want to see more variations of V2, click the "V2" button, and Midjourney will generate four more variations closely resembling that image.

Step 4: Upscaling the image 

After finding your favorite variation, it's time to upscale the image to a higher resolution. Click the corresponding "U" button (e.g., U2 for the second variation), and Midjourney will immediately produce a high-resolution version ready for download.

Right click on the image to save your image and you are done! 

4. Next steps

Congratulations! You've created your first realistic image with Midjourney. This guide covered the basics, but there's so much more to explore.

Mastering Midjourney will unlock tons of new creative possibilities . Stay tuned for our advanced guide, where we'll dive into expert prompting techniques, customization options, and integrating Midjourney into your workflow.