# Midjourney V7 Prompt Examples

Before/after transformations showing how to enhance basic requests into optimized V7 prompts.

## Table of Contents

- [Portrait Photography](#portrait-photography)
- [Landscape/Environment](#landscapeenvironment)
- [Product Photography](#product-photography)
- [Architectural Photography](#architectural-photography)
- [Conceptual/Artistic](#conceptualartistic)
- [Automotive](#automotive)
- [Wildlife](#wildlife)
- [Food Photography](#food-photography)
- [Character Consistency Examples](#character-consistency-examples)
- [Transformation Principles](#transformation-principles)

---

## Portrait Photography

### Example 1: Simple Portrait

**User Request:**
"A woman in a field"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
Woman with flowing hair standing in golden wheat field, centered composition, editorial portrait photography, golden hour sunlight from behind creating rim light, warm and ethereal mood, shot on Canon R5 85mm f/1.4, shallow depth of field with soft bokeh background, warm color grading --ar 4:5 --s 150 --q 2
```

**Why It Works:**
- Adds specific composition (centered)
- Defines style (editorial portrait)
- Describes lighting (golden hour, rim light)
- Establishes mood (warm and ethereal)
- Includes technical specs (Canon R5 85mm f/1.4)
- Specifies depth of field and bokeh
- Parameters: vertical portrait ratio, moderate stylize, enhanced quality

### Example 2: Character Portrait

**User Request:**
"Portrait of an old fisherman"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
Weathered fisherman with grey beard and sun-worn face, three-quarter profile close-up, cinematic portrait photography, soft diffused natural light from window, intimate and contemplative mood, shot on Hasselblad 80mm f/2.8, shallow depth of field, muted earth tones with desaturated blues --ar 4:5 --s 100 --q 2
```

**Why It Works:**
- Rich character details (weathered, grey beard, sun-worn)
- Specific framing (three-quarter profile close-up)
- Professional category (cinematic portrait)
- Natural lighting specified (soft diffused window light)
- Emotional tone (intimate and contemplative)
- Medium format camera reference adds authenticity
- Color palette defined (muted earth tones, desaturated blues)

### Example 3: Fashion Portrait

**User Request:**
"Model in elegant dress"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
Fashion model in flowing black silk evening gown, elegant pose with hand on hip, minimal studio setting, dramatic side lighting with rim light accent, high fashion editorial aesthetic, shot on Phase One medium format 80mm, shallow depth of field, monochromatic with rich tonal depth --ar 2:3 --s 200
```

**Why It Works:**
- Specific garment details (flowing black silk evening gown)
- Defined pose (hand on hip)
- Clear setting (minimal studio)
- Complete lighting setup (side lighting with rim light)
- Fashion-specific style (high fashion editorial)
- Premium equipment reference (Phase One medium format)
- Color treatment (monochromatic with tonal depth)

---

## Landscape/Environment

### Example 4: Mountain Landscape

**User Request:**
"Beautiful mountain view"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
Majestic snow-capped mountain peaks rising above clouds, wide angle establishing shot, early morning golden hour, light mist in valleys, cinematic landscape photography, dramatic side lighting highlighting mountain ridges, shot on Sony A7R IV 24mm, deep focus front to back, rich color saturation with cool blues and warm highlights --ar 16:9 --s 200 --q 2
```

**Why It Works:**
- Vivid scene description (snow-capped peaks, above clouds)
- Composition specified (wide angle establishing shot)
- Perfect timing (early morning golden hour)
- Atmospheric details (light mist in valleys)
- Lighting direction (side lighting on ridges)
- Technical specs (Sony A7R IV 24mm)
- Focus treatment (deep focus)
- Color palette (cool blues, warm highlights)

### Example 5: Urban Night Scene

**User Request:**
"City street at night"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
Neon-lit Tokyo street after rain, wet pavement reflecting colorful signs, bustling crowds with motion blur, cinematic urban photography, blue hour twilight with glowing neon lights, shot on Sony A7R IV 35mm, medium depth of field isolating foreground, vibrant orange and teal color grading, atmospheric haze --ar 16:9 --s 250 --q 2
```

**Why It Works:**
- Specific location flavor (Tokyo, neon-lit)
- Visual interest (wet pavement reflections)
- Dynamic elements (bustling crowds, motion blur)
- Time of day (blue hour)
- Lighting character (glowing neon)
- Popular color scheme (orange and teal)
- Atmosphere (haze)

### Example 6: Coastal Landscape

**User Request:**
"Beach sunset"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
Rugged coastal rocks in foreground with crashing waves, dramatic sunset over ocean horizon, long exposure creating smooth water, golden hour with scattered clouds, cinematic coastal photography, warm side lighting, shot on Canon R5 24mm, wide angle perspective, rich warm color grading with orange and purple tones --ar 16:9 --s 200
```

**Why It Works:**
- Strong foreground (rugged coastal rocks, crashing waves)
- Compositional depth (foreground to horizon)
- Technical technique implied (long exposure)
- Time and conditions (golden hour, scattered clouds)
- Lighting quality (warm side lighting)
- Wide angle for epic feel
- Sunset colors specified (orange and purple)

---

## Product Photography

### Example 7: Luxury Watch

**User Request:**
"Photo of a watch"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
Luxury Swiss watch with leather strap on polished marble surface, editorial product photography, studio lighting with subtle reflections highlighting sapphire crystal, minimalist composition with negative space, shot on Phase One medium format 80mm macro, tack sharp focus on watch face, emphasize brushed metal and leather texture, neutral background --ar 1:1 --s 50
```

**Why It Works:**
- Product specificity (luxury Swiss watch, leather strap)
- Premium surface (polished marble)
- Professional category (editorial product photography)
- Detailed lighting setup (studio with subtle reflections)
- Material highlights (sapphire crystal)
- Composition approach (minimalist, negative space)
- Texture emphasis (brushed metal, leather)
- Low stylize for accurate product representation

### Example 8: Tech Product

**User Request:**
"Headphones product shot"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
Premium wireless headphones floating on clean white background, modern product photography, soft studio lighting from multiple angles, minimal shadows, shot on Canon R5 100mm macro, tack sharp focus throughout, emphasize matte black finish and metal accents, neutral tones, Apple-style minimal aesthetic --ar 1:1 --s 50 --q 2
```

**Why It Works:**
- Product quality tier (premium wireless)
- Clean presentation (floating on white)
- Professional lighting (studio, multiple angles, minimal shadows)
- Macro lens for detail
- Complete focus (tack sharp throughout)
- Material callouts (matte black, metal accents)
- Brand aesthetic reference (Apple-style)
- Square format for product showcase

---

## Architectural Photography

### Example 9: Modern Building

**User Request:**
"Modern office building"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
Contemporary glass and steel skyscraper, low angle perspective looking up, blue hour twilight with interior lights glowing, urban cityscape background, architectural photography, clean geometric lines and reflective surfaces, shot on Canon R5 24mm tilt-shift, deep focus, cool color grading with blue tones --ar 9:16 --s 100
```

**Why It Works:**
- Material specificity (glass and steel)
- Strong perspective (low angle looking up)
- Optimal timing (blue hour twilight)
- Visual interest (interior lights glowing)
- Architectural elements (geometric lines, reflective surfaces)
- Specialized lens (tilt-shift for architecture)
- Color palette (cool blues)
- Vertical format for tall building

### Example 10: Historic Architecture

**User Request:**
"Old church building"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
Gothic cathedral with intricate stone facade, symmetrical frontal composition, golden hour sunlight illuminating weathered details, dramatic shadows emphasizing architectural depth, fine art architectural photography, shot on Hasselblad medium format 50mm, tilt-shift perspective correction, rich warm tones with deep shadows, emphasize carved stone textures and stained glass windows --ar 4:5 --s 150 --q 2
```

**Why It Works:**
- Architectural style (Gothic cathedral)
- Detail emphasis (intricate stone facade)
- Classical composition (symmetrical frontal)
- Dramatic lighting (golden hour, shadows)
- Fine art approach
- Period-appropriate colors (warm tones, deep shadows)
- Texture and feature callouts (carved stone, stained glass)

---

## Conceptual/Artistic

### Example 11: Surreal Scene

**User Request:**
"Surreal desert landscape"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
Lone tree growing from cracked desert earth under impossible floating rocks, surreal landscape photography, late afternoon golden light, dreamlike and otherworldly atmosphere, shot on Hasselblad 80mm, deep focus, rich color saturation with warm desert tones and cool sky blues, inspired by Salvador Dali surrealism --ar 16:9 --s 400 --w 100
```

**Why It Works:**
- Clear surreal element (floating rocks)
- Grounding detail (lone tree, cracked earth)
- Mood establishment (dreamlike and otherworldly)
- Focus approach (deep focus for surreal clarity)
- Color specificity (warm desert, cool sky)
- Artistic reference (Salvador Dali)
- Higher stylize and weird for artistic interpretation

### Example 12: Atmospheric Portrait

**User Request:**
"Mysterious person in fog"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
Silhouette of figure in long coat standing in dense fog, minimal visibility creating mystery, moody atmospheric photography, diffused overcast light, blue-grey color grading, shot on Sony A7R IV 85mm f/1.8, shallow depth of field with fog creating natural depth, noir cinematography aesthetic --ar 16:9 --s 200 --exp 10
```

**Why It Works:**
- Character suggestion (silhouette, long coat)
- Atmosphere (dense fog, minimal visibility)
- Lighting type (diffused overcast)
- Color palette (blue-grey grading)
- Depth technique (fog as depth element)
- Strong aesthetic reference (noir cinematography)
- Emotional tone (dramatic and mysterious)
- Light experimental enhancement

---

## Automotive

### Example 13: Classic Car

**User Request:**
"Vintage car photo"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
1960s vintage convertible parked on coastal highway overlook, sunset ocean view in background, automotive editorial photography, golden hour side lighting, warm nostalgic color grading with slight film grain, shot on Canon R5 50mm f/1.4, shallow depth of field isolating car, emphasize chrome details and period-correct paint --ar 16:9 --s 150
```

**Why It Works:**
- Era specificity (1960s, convertible)
- Evocative setting (coastal highway overlook, ocean view)
- Perfect timing (golden hour)
- Mood through color (warm nostalgic, film grain)
- Focus strategy (shallow DOF, car isolated)
- Detail emphasis (chrome, period paint)
- Widescreen cinematic format

### Example 14: Modern Vehicle

**User Request:**
"Sports car"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
Modern supercar in minimalist studio environment, low dramatic lighting creating strong shadows, automotive commercial photography, three-quarter front angle, shot on Phase One medium format 80mm, emphasize aerodynamic lines and reflective paint surface, cool color grading with metallic highlights, sleek and powerful aesthetic --ar 16:9 --s 100 --q 2
```

**Why It Works:**
- Vehicle type (modern supercar)
- Clean setting (minimalist studio)
- Dramatic lighting (low angle, strong shadows)
- Standard automotive angle (three-quarter front)
- Design emphasis (aerodynamic lines)
- Material callout (reflective paint)
- Color treatment (cool with metallic highlights)

---

## Wildlife

### Example 15: Animal Portrait

**User Request:**
"Photo of a wolf"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
Grey wolf standing alert in snowy forest clearing, winter landscape, wildlife documentary photography, soft overcast light, intimate eye contact with camera, shot on Canon R3 400mm f/2.8, shallow depth of field with blurred snow-covered trees, cool color palette with muted earth tones, emphasize fur texture and intense eyes --ar 3:2 --s 100 --q 2
```

**Why It Works:**
- Species and behavior (grey wolf, standing alert)
- Contextual setting (snowy forest clearing, winter)
- Professional category (wildlife documentary)
- Appropriate lighting (soft overcast for winter)
- Connection element (eye contact)
- Wildlife lens (400mm telephoto)
- Subject isolation (shallow DOF, blurred background)
- Detail emphasis (fur texture, eyes)

---

## Food Photography

### Example 16: Gourmet Dish

**User Request:**
"Food photography of pasta"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
Artisanal handmade pasta in white ceramic bowl, rustic wooden table setting, editorial food photography, natural window light from side creating soft shadows, garnished with fresh herbs and parmesan, shot on Canon R5 50mm f/2.8 macro, shallow depth of field with foreground bokeh, warm color grading with earthy tones --ar 4:5 --s 100
```

**Why It Works:**
- Dish quality (artisanal handmade pasta)
- Presentation (white ceramic bowl)
- Setting atmosphere (rustic wooden table)
- Food photography lighting (natural window, soft shadows)
- Styling details (fresh herbs, parmesan garnish)
- Macro lens for detail
- Focus strategy (shallow DOF, foreground bokeh)
- Appetite-appeal colors (warm, earthy)

---

## Character Consistency Examples

### With Omni Reference

**User Request:**
"Same character in different scene"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
[character description matching reference], standing in futuristic cityscape, cinematic photography, neon lighting, shot on Canon R5 35mm, cyberpunk atmosphere --ar 16:9 --s 150 --oref <character_url> --ow 200
```

### Style + Character Combined

**User Request:**
"Character in specific art style"

**Enhanced Prompt:**
```
[character description], illustrated in watercolor style, soft dreamy atmosphere, pastel color palette --ar 1:1 --s 200 --oref <character_url> --ow 150 --sref <watercolor_style_url> --sw 300
```

---

## Transformation Principles

### Enhancement Formula

```
Basic request
  + Professional category
  + Specific details
  + Lighting description
  + Technical specs
  + Color treatment
  + Composition guidance
  + Quality markers
  + Appropriate parameters
= Optimized V7 prompt
```

### Word Count Management

**If under 20 words after enhancement:**
- Add atmospheric details
- Include artistic reference
- Expand color treatment description
- Add texture or material emphasis

**If over 75 words:**
- Remove redundant quality terms
- Consolidate similar descriptors
- Keep most impactful elements
- Maintain coherent flow

### Parameter Selection Guide

| Use Case | Recommended Parameters |
|----------|----------------------|
| Portrait | `--ar 4:5 --s 100-150 --q 2` |
| Landscape | `--ar 16:9 --s 150-250 --q 2` |
| Product | `--ar 1:1 --s 50-100` |
| Artistic | `--ar varies --s 300-500 --exp 10-25` |
| Character consistency | `--oref <url> --ow 150-250` |
| Style transfer | `--sref <url> --sw 200-400` |
| Quick iteration | `--draft --c 25-50` |
