Writing Better Midjourney Image Prompts

Strong image prompts read like art direction, not keyword soup. Build from subject → environment → lighting → camera → style.

Prompt stack

• Subject — who or what, pose, expression, wardrobe
• Scene — location, time of day, weather, props
• Lighting — soft window light, rim light, overcast, studio strobe
• Camera — 85mm portrait, wide angle, shallow depth of field
• Style — editorial photography, film still, illustration reference

Example prompt

Product photo of a ceramic mug on a walnut desk, morning window light, soft shadows, 50mm lens, shallow depth of field, minimal Scandinavian interior, high-end ecommerce photography

Iterate with variations

Change one layer at a time—lighting OR lens OR palette—not everything at once. That makes it clear which instruction moved the result.