42 Prompts for Extremely Photorealistic People in Midjourney

Since it's release in early 2022, Midjourney has significantly advanced the applications of generative AI for image creation by offering an integrated, user-friendly (and familiar) interface via Discord.

In this guide, we’ll be going over the ways in which we can craft prompts with Midjourney’s latest v5.2 model to generate Extremely Photorealistic People.

We’ll begin by tweaking some Midjourney settings and then we’ll hop right into a basic prompt template you can use for all your generations.

Getting Started

You’re going to want to ensure that you have RAW mode enabled in your Midjourney settings. For these examples, we are using Midjourney’s Standard Subscription and direct messaging the MJ bot in Discord.

To modify your settings, open a conversation with the Midjourney Bot and type /settings. You should see something similar pop up to the below image. Click on RAW Mode.

If you don't want to turn this setting on for all generations, you can add --style raw at the end of every prompt you give Midjourney.

Otherwise, there are plenty of other neat style parameters & preferences you can customize via the /prefer command. More on this in the Tips & Tricks section below.

Prompt Template

Generally, you’ll want to use some sort of structure for crafting your prompt. For this guide, we went with:

[Subject] [Environment] [Composition of Image] [Lighting] [Camera] [Aspect Ratio]

If you find a specific detail that works well with what you’re trying to generate, it is typically a good idea to take note of it to experiment further with the image output you’re given.
Also - do not hesitate to experiment with the above structure as it is simply a general outline.

Aspect Ratios

Creating the perfect prompt isn't just about describing the subject of the photo.

It's a delicate balance of aspect ratio, camera & lighting, and environment. Each plays a crucial role in setting the mood and directing focus. Below we'll go over various details you'll want to include in your prompts.

Aspect Ratio 4:3

The 4:3 aspect ratio is widely used in photography due to its harmonious balance, offering a pleasing aesthetic that falls between the square format (1:1) and the wide panoramic views (16:9).

It's the default aspect ratio for most digital cameras and smartphones, making it the common choice for both amateur and professional photographers.

Bearded fisherman mending a net. Weathered skin. Steely eyes. Coastal village. Dawn. Fishing boats bobbing in the harbor. Medium shot, upper body. Soft lighting, seagulls circling overhead casting fleeting shadows. Realistic texture. --ar 4:3

Aspect Ratio 16:9

Tthe 16:9 aspect ratio is great for cinematic style shots. It is most commonly used in film and television.

Cowboy on a horse, looking out over a canyon. Stetson hat. Leather gloves. American Southwest. Sunset. Red rock formations, a river snaking through the canyon. Wide shot, full body. Dramatic lighting, long shadows stretching across the landscape. Cinematic look. --ar 16:9

Aspect Ratio 21:9

The 21:9 aspect ratio, also known as ultrawide, offers an even broader field of view than the 16:9, making it ideal for immersive panoramic photography.

Female astronaut floating in a space station. Zero gravity. Earth visible through the window. International Space Station. No specific time. Equipment, other astronauts working in the background. Wide shot, full body. Artificial lighting, reflections on the window. Zero gravity effect. --ar 21:9

Aspect Ratio 1:1

The 1:1 aspect ratio produces a perfectly square image. It is commonly used on Instagram, as it draws focus to the subject by eliminating background details.

Young girl with freckles, holding a bunch of wildflowers. Bright blue eyes. Auburn hair. English countryside. Midday. Clear sky. Rolling green hills, a small brook babbling nearby. Close-up shot, head and shoulders. Natural lighting, sun casting dappled shadows through the trees. Vivid color saturation. --ar 1:1

Camera Shot Styles

Shooting styles tell a story: close-ups spotlight emotion, medium and upper-body shots add context, while wide and full-body shots capture a subject's entire milieu.

Each delivers a unique narrative layer, from fine details to grand scenes.

Elderly potter at a wheel, hands covered in clay. Deep lines on his face. Spinning pottery. Rustic studio. Afternoon. Shelves of finished pottery, a kiln in the corner. Close-up shot, hands and face. Natural light filtering through a dusty window, clay particles suspended in the air. High-resolution texture. --ar 4:3

Elderly couple dancing in the rain. Joyful smiles. Holding each other close. Cobblestone street. Dusk. Old buildings, a street lamp casting a warm glow. Medium shot, waist up. Soft lighting, raindrops glistening in the light. Romantic ambiance. --ar 4:3

Tattoo artist at work, needle in hand. Concentrated gaze. Ink on skin. Urban tattoo parlor. Evening. Tattoo designs on the walls, a client wincing in the chair. Medium shot, upper body. Warm lighting, reflections on the needle, detailed texture of the skin and ink. High-definition capture. --ar 4:3

Young woman in a hijab, painting a mural. Warm brown eyes. Colorful smears on her hands. Middle Eastern city. Afternoon. Bustling market, ancient architecture. Wide shot, full body. Bright lighting, vibrant colors of the mural standing out. High saturation. --ar 16:9

Environment and Composition

You'll want to frame environmental elements in your prompts to spotlight your subject. This way, you can guide the viewer's eye and boost visual appeal.

Child in a field, chasing a butterfly. Laughter caught mid-air. Grass stains on his knees. Rural landscape. Midday. Wildflowers, a wooden fence, a farmhouse in the distance. Wide shot, full body. Bright sunlight, butterfly frozen mid-flight, dust particles floating in the air. Hyperrealistic capture. --ar 16:9

Teenage girl in a graduation gown, throwing her cap in the air. Beaming smile. Tassel flying. School grounds. Late afternoon. Other graduates, school building in the background. Long shot, capturing the full scene. Warm lighting, cap frozen mid-air. High-speed capture. --ar 16:9

Woman in a sari, picking tea leaves. Dark eyes. Graceful hands. Indian tea plantation. Morning. Misty hills, rows of tea bushes. Wide shot, full body. Diffused lighting, mist softening the landscape. Vibrant color palette. --ar 16:9

Man in a suit, standing in the rain. Pensive expression. Wet hair sticking to his forehead. Downtown district. Night. Neon signs, passing cars, people with umbrellas. Medium shot, upper body. Dramatic lighting, raindrops illuminated by the city lights, water dripping from his suit. High dynamic range. --ar 21:9

Lighting

When writing your prompt, including information regarding the overall lighting is crucial as it determines the mood, depth, and texture of the generated scene.

Middle-aged woman in a lab coat, examining a test tube. Stern expression. Silver streaks in her hair. Modern laboratory. Fluorescent lights. White walls, high-tech equipment. Medium shot, waist up. Neutral lighting, reflections on glass surfaces. High contrast. --ar 16:9

Young woman with dreadlocks, playing a cello. Eyes closed in concentration. Vibrating strings. Classical concert hall. Evening. Audience in soft focus, grand arches, ornate ceiling. Medium shot, upper body. Spotlights casting a warm glow on her face, the polished wood of the cello reflecting the light. Hyperrealistic details. --ar 16:9

Chef in a bustling kitchen, garnishing a dish. Focused expression. Flour dusted on his apron. High-end restaurant. Evening. Stainless steel appliances, busy staff in the background. Medium shot, waist up. Warm lighting, steam rising from the dish. High definition. --ar 16:9

Ballerina in mid-leap, tutu fluttering. Graceful form. Intense focus. Classical theater. Spotlights. Velvet curtains, ornate chandeliers. Long shot, capturing the full stage. Dramatic lighting, highlighting the dancer against a dark background. High-speed capture. --ar 16:9

Woman in a kimono, arranging flowers. Delicate hands. Cherry blossoms. Traditional Japanese room. Morning. Tatami mats, sliding doors, a tea set nearby. Close-up shot, hands and flowers. Soft light filtering through rice paper doors, petals falling in slow motion. Photorealistic details. --ar 1:1

Teenage boy with headphones, lost in a book. Curly hair. Glasses perched on his nose. Cozy bedroom. Late afternoon. Posters on the wall, a guitar leaning against the bed. Close-up shot, head and shoulders. Warm lighting, sunbeam highlighting dust particles in the air. Depth of field. --ar 1:1

Monk in saffron robes, meditating by a river. Serene expression. Barefoot. Himalayan foothills. Early morning. Snow-capped peaks, a prayer wheel spinning nearby. Medium shot, full body. Soft lighting, sun rays filtering through the trees. Tranquil ambiance. --ar 1:1

Female scientist examining a plant specimen. Protective goggles. Green leaves in her gloved hands. Modern greenhouse. Daytime. Rows of plants, high-tech monitoring equipment. Close-up shot, head and shoulders. Natural light, dewdrops on the leaves, detailed texture on the gloves. Ultra-high resolution. --ar 1:1

Modern & Vintage Camera Effects

Camera & Film Effects

Adding different real-world camera models into your prompts (such as the Nikon FM2, Canon EOS 3, Pentax Spotmatic, or Minolta Maxxum 7), can affect the way your image turns out.

You'll also want to include the type of film used (such as Agfa Vista 200, Kodak Ektar 100, Kodak Tri-X, or Fujifilm Superia 800) in your cameras, as this plays a key role in determining the contrast, grain, and light sensitivity of your outputs.

Four mountaineers reaching a summit. Triumph and exhaustion. Snow-covered peak. Swiss Alps. Dawn in 1980. Ropes, ice axes, expansive view. Wide shot, full body. Shot on a Nikon FM2, Agfa Vista 200 film. First light of the day, climbers' breath visible in the cold air. --ar 16:9

Lone woman practicing yoga. Serenity and focus. Lotus position. Bali retreat. Dawn in 2000. Rice fields, palm trees, a distant temple. Wide shot, full body. Captured with a Canon EOS 3, Kodak Ektar 100 film. First light of the day, dew on the grass, vibrant colors. --ar 16:9

Two elderly women knitting. Warm smiles. Colorful yarn. Cozy living room. Afternoon in 1965. Fireplace, family photos, a cat sleeping on a chair. Medium shot, upper body. Captured with a Pentax Spotmatic, Kodak Tri-X film. Soft light from the window, detailed texture of the yarn. --ar 4:3

Four musicians in a mariachi band. Passion and synchronization. Trumpet solo. Mexico City's Plaza Garibaldi. Evening in 2000. Audience, other bands, a moonlit sky. Medium shot, waist up. Shot on a Minolta Maxxum 7, Fujifilm Superia 800 film. Street lamps casting a warm glow, detailed texture of the costumes. --ar 4:3

Using a specific year

The year or date a photo was taken can influence its appearance through the distinct color palettes, grain, resolution, and even subject matter typical of that era, creating a specific aesthetic often associated with that time.

Couple on a motorcycle. Wind in their hair. Open road. Route 66. Midday in 1969. Desert landscape, distant mountains, a diner sign. Wide shot, full body. Shot on a Hasselblad 500C, Ektachrome film. Bright sunlight, dust trail, saturated colors. --ar 16:9

Two graffiti artists at work. Concentration and creativity. Spray cans. New York alley. Night in 1995. Brick walls, city lights, a passing subway train. Medium shot, full body. Shot on a Nikon F5, Ilford Delta 3200 film. Street lamp casting long shadows, paint particles in the air. --ar 4:3

Two ballet dancers rehearsing. Grace and determination. Mirror reflections. Paris ballet studio. Morning in 1990. Barre, large windows, a piano. Medium shot, full body. Captured with a Nikon F3, Kodak T-Max 400 film. Soft morning light, dancers' muscles visible, high contrast. --ar 16:9

Putting it all together

Let's go over why the next prompt provides a well-rounded description for generating an image:

• it conveys the subjects (five children)
• setting (treehouse in a suburban backyard, summer of 1985)
• mood (laughter and adventure)
• camera perspective (wide shot, full body)
• equipment used (Pentax K1000 with Agfa Vista 200 film)
• aspect ratio (16:9)

This meticulous specification generate a rich image. The aspect ratio captures the wide scene, the film and camera choice result in vivid colors and clear wood grain, and the bright sunlight of the summer enhances the overall mood of playful adventure.

Five children in a treehouse. Laughter and adventure. Hand-drawn flag. Suburban backyard. Summer of 1985. Green leaves, a rope ladder, a distant house. Wide shot, full body. Captured with a Pentax K1000, Agfa Vista 200 film. Bright sunlight, wood grain, vivid colors. --ar 16:9

More Examples

Seven friends celebrating Holi. Joy and colors. Color powder. Mumbai's Juhu Beach. Morning in 2010. Other revelers, the Arabian Sea, a skyline. Wide shot, full body. Captured with a Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, Fujifilm Velvia 50 film. Bright sunlight, color powder frozen mid-air, high saturation. --ar 16:9

Three friends sharing a laugh. Joy and friendship. Outdoor café. Seoul's Hongdae district. Daytime in 2015. Street art, a passing Hyundai Genesis, other customers. Medium shot, waist up. Captured with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Kodak Portra 400 film. Bright sunlight, steam rising from the coffee cups, high contrast. --ar 16:9

Seven dancers in a flamenco troupe. Intensity and rhythm. Red dresses. Seville street. Evening in 1990. Cobblestone street, spectators, old buildings. Wide shot, full body. Captured with a Canon EOS-1, Ilford HP5 Plus film. Street lamp casting long shadows, fabric caught mid-twirl. --ar 16:9

Three surfers waiting for a wave. Anticipation and camaraderie. Surfboards. Australian coast. Afternoon in 1987. Crashing waves, a beach, a setting sun. Wide shot, full body. Captured with a Minolta Maxxum 7000, Fujifilm Velvia 50 film. Golden sunlight, water droplets, high saturation. --ar 16:9

Seven teenagers at a rock concert. Excitement and anticipation. Band t-shirts. London music venue. Evening in 1991. Stage lights, crowd, band setting up. Wide shot, full body. Shot on a Minolta X-700, Fujifilm Superia 400. Dynamic lighting, motion blur, high grain. --ar 16:9

Three friends sharing a laugh. Joy and friendship. Outdoor café. Seoul's Hongdae district. Daytime in 2015. Street art, a passing Hyundai Genesis, other customers. Medium shot, waist up. Captured with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Kodak Portra 400 film. Bright sunlight, steam rising from the coffee cups, high contrast. --ar 16:9

Four friends sharing a meal. Laughter and conversation. Street food. Dhaka's Kawran Bazar. Afternoon in 2007. Busy market, spices, vendors. Medium shot, upper body. Shot on a Canon EOS 40D, Fujifilm Pro 400H film. Warm light from the stalls, detailed texture of the food, vivid colors. --ar 4:3

Six students in a library. Studious concentration. Piles of books. Oxford University. Afternoon in 1983. Wooden desks, stained glass windows, a globe. Medium shot, upper body. Captured with a Canon A-1, Ilford Delta 400 film. Soft light filtering through the windows, detailed texture of the books. --ar 4:3

Four musicians in a jazz band. Passion and synchronization. Saxophone solo. New Orleans club. Evening in 1973. Audience, stage lights, a smoky atmosphere. Medium shot, waist up. Shot on a Leica M4, Kodak Tri-X 400 film. Spotlights casting a warm glow, motion blur, high grain. --ar 4:3

Six scientists in a laboratory. Focus and collaboration. Microscope slide. Modern research facility. Daytime in 1998. Lab equipment, whiteboards, a petri dish. Medium shot, upper body. Shot on a Nikon F100, Fujifilm Provia 100F film. Fluorescent lights, reflections on glass surfaces, high contrast. --ar 4:3

Couple dancing tango. Intense gaze. Red dress and black suit. Buenos Aires street. Night in 1985. Cobblestone street, spectators, old buildings. Medium shot, full body. Captured with a Canon AE-1, Ilford HP5 Plus film. Street lamp casting long shadows, fabric of the dress caught mid-twirl. --ar 4:3

Three chefs in a busy kitchen. Focus and coordination. Flaming wok. New York restaurant. Evening in 1978. Stainless steel appliances, bustling staff. Medium shot, waist up. Captured with a Leica M3, Kodak Portra 400 film. Warm light from the flames, motion blur, vivid colors. --ar 4:3

Couple practicing Tai Chi. Serenity and focus. Traditional attire. Beijing's Temple of Heaven Park. Dawn in 2008. Ancient trees, a pagoda, other practitioners. Medium shot, full body. Shot on a Leica M8, Kodak Tri-X 400 film. First light of the day, leaves rustling, high contrast. --ar 4:3

Family of five at a picnic. Laughter and conversation. Checkered blanket. Central Park. Summer of 1975. Skyscrapers, other picnickers, a pond. Wide shot, full body. Shot on a Rolleiflex 2.8F, Fujicolor Pro 400H film. Bright sunlight, food items in detail, vivid colors. --ar 1:1

Tips & Tricks

You can save specific parameters via the /prefer command to your Midjourney preferences if you find yourself repeatedly using similar styles. You can even name & create a variety of styling commands which can be called at the end of prompts. 

An example of this would be wanting to add a specific camera model style with a specific aspect ratio suffix, as well as raw mode enabled. Here is how you could go about doing this:

/prefer option set PRv1 value camera settings: Minolta X-570, Kodak Professional Portra 400 Film, Kiron 75-150mm f/3.8 lens. --ar 16:9 --style raw

We can divide this command up into three parts:

1. /prefer option - the command
2. set PRv1 - the name chosen for the parameter
3. value camera settings: Minolta X-570, Kodak Professional Portra 400 Film, Kiron 75-150mm f/3.8 lens. --ar 16:9 --style raw - the contents of the saved parameters called whenever you use --PRv1 at the end of a prompt

Now, by simply adding --PRv1 at the end of your prompt, you will call the saved settings without having to specify them in your request.

Finally, if you decide you’d like to delete this parameter, you can do so by using the command /prefer option set <PRv1> in Discord.

Conclusion

And there you have it! With plenty of trial and error you can get Midjourney generating a plethora of realistic shots.

There's always a bit of guesswork involved in the image generation process. Midjourney may not be perfect when requesting specific items in your prompts (ex: asking for an image of seven individuals but only generating six). Nonetheless it is very powerful image creation tool.