Looking for a quick, iPhone Portrait Mode image? Tell Midjourney.
There is a mystique around prompting. In almost every conversation I have with people, it almost always inevitably has some variation of the phrase, “I can’t prompt like you” declared. While not everyone THINKS like I do (granted — my wife tells me I have a ‘spicy’ brain), you can have some desires in the LOOK of a render that you can accomplish — by learning to simply describe what it is you want.
For instance, this morning I want to share a fun little insight around prompting. Take for instance… randomly you take a picture with your iPhone 12 Pro Max in Portrait Mode (that is my current phone) — and think to yourself,
I sort of like the way Portrait Mode looks on pictures. I would like to recreate that look in a Midjourney prompt.
So… let’s do it.
• candid photograph taken with an iPhone 12 Pro Max, Portrait mode of a [subject details & setting] Image in the style of a posted image on Reddit in 2023. [when + where]. Depth of field. [orientation] — style raw — v6
— Subject 1 • male —
subject details + setting:
• 35 year old male college professor. Well groomed ebony black hair, freckles with green eyes and bright smile, 5-o-clock-shadow and boldly colored eyeglasses. He is sitting at an outdoor cafe, leaning forward and smiling.
when + where (specify location):
• Midday lighting, January in Durham near Duke University
orientation:
- — ar 9:16
Keep this image in mind for another cool trick in MJ…
— Subject 2 • female —
subject details + setting:
• a young 25 year old female urban professional. Curly headed brunette with brown eyes and bright smile, and boldly colored eyeglasses. She is sitting on a park bench, leaning forward and smiling.
when + where (specify location):
• Midday lighting, January in Raleigh.
orientation:
• — ar 16:9
Though I have not even mentioned the word ‘seed’ — each rendered result has an associated ‘seed’ with it. If I kind of like the vibe of one of these images, I can click the (V) underneath the image to get a set of 4 new variations of that image (and it maintains the SEED for that image. Meaning — you get 4 possible poses with a model that looks very much like the originating character created!
Take a look at these Variations accomplished with nothing MORE than a (V) tap under the image.
Okay Brian… this is really cool and everything, but what in the heck is “Image in the style of a posted image on Reddit in 2023”?
Not necessary, but you will find with cultural references (like Reddit, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Behance) that you get a styling or pose that matches a repeated pattern of styling found in those referenced work platforms. What is a Reddit style and why 2023? For my purposes here — it is simply a more personable, friendly visual that feels natural, posed and purposeful. Some of that was addressed in the phrasing “candid photograph taken with an iPhone 12 Pro Max” — adding Reddit and 2023 gave me a time frame for fashion and image styling.
Simple lessons can be the best. I hope that added some clarity… but wait — there is MORE! Take out your smartphone. What are ALL the settings for image taking? Do a Google search (does anyone still do that), or ask ChatGPT to describe all the image settings on your phone. Then… choose 1, and put that into a prompt. Choose a different cultural reference (TikTok still, YouTube short, Behance featured…) and give it a go. Don’t forget to include the aspect ratio that is relevant to your image size (like if you are using Instagram as your reference — what are the parameters for an image share?)
Then — share your results — and tag me in it so I can see what you came up with!
Brian W. Sykes
My name is Brian Sykes and I teach gen-AI integration to Creative Professionals, enabling intelligent amplified creativity. If you enjoy this newsletter, here are more ways we can engage:
A.I. Lab
A.I. Lab
- The A.I. Lab • LEVEL 1 as a self-paced class releases soon, but I also provide a 12-week cohort that not only infuses AI into your knowledge bank, but also integrates into your creative workflow. As a cohort, we can work with groups as small as 4. Reach out to me for assigning seats! Even if you are just 1 — but you want to be part of a group live learning session, let me know. Once I have 4 total ready to go, we will kick off the next cohort.
LEVEL 1
- If the idea of gen-AI and VIDEO is more your speed of exploration — then ask me about the A.I. Lab • AI for VIDEO. The self-paced class releases soon, but I also provide a 10-week cohort that integrates gen-AI into your creative workflow with video thru 2 Modules and and a fresh take on gen-AI integration without over-teching your processes. We can work with groups as small as 4. Reach out to me for assigning seats!
AI for Video
Keynotes & Workshops
- I enjoy speaking at a corporate events and leading group training session. I have a range of courses I can teach to Creative Professionals on the subject of gen-AI implementation that will ‘LEVEL UP’ your creative team. Schedule a time to chat and tell me about what you have coming up, and get me on your books. My calendar is filling up fast — so don’t hesitate!
YouTube
- I have a YouTube Channel where I like to share Tips & Tricks, do Interviews with other Creatives in the AI space, and Explore apps and their functionality. Go catch the latest at https://www.YouTube.com/@AI.Explore
Resources?
- Yeah, I have quite a few AWESOME freebies including 130+ Prompts that will blow your socks off. Did I mention they are FREE? Go grab some at https://AIExplore.co
