Midjourney is an AI creation platform that converts text and reference images into pictures, and allows further editing and short video generation. In 2026, beginners no longer have to rely solely on Discord: you can register directly at midjourney.com, enter prompts, manage your works, use editors, and create videos. This guide will take you from scratch through your first creation and establish a reusable workflow.Screenshot of the Midjourney official website homepage. Source: AI Creative Tools, Midjourney Beginner's Guide 2026.
Step 1: Register, Log In, and Choose a Platform
Visit midjourney.com and log in using Google or Discord. New users can choose either; if you've used Midjourney via Discord before, prioritize logging in with your original Discord account to avoid separating old works and subscription records. All plans support both web and Discord, but the web is more beginner-friendly because Create, Editor, Organize, Personalize, and video settings are all centralized in a visual interface.
Step 2: First, Choose a Plan Suitable for Trial and Error
Absolute beginners are advised to start with monthly payment, not immediately annual. Basic is suitable for verifying if you will actually use it continuously; Standard offers 15 hours of Fast GPU and unlimited Relax images, ideal for frequent learning; Pro mainly adds 30 hours of Fast GPU, Stealth privacy, and SD Relax video. For more complete cost calculations, read "What Will Midjourney's Pricing Be in 2026? A Complete Budget Analysis."
Step 3: Generate Your First Image
Go to the Create page, type a description of the image you want to see in the Imagine input bar at the top, then press Enter. You need to accept the terms of service before the first generation. Midjourney typically returns a set of four candidate images; after selecting the one you like, you can continue generating variations, upscaling, local editing, expanding the canvas, or using it as a reference image.Write your prompt in the Imagine input bar at the top of the webpage. Source: AI Creative Tools, Midjourney Beginner's Guide 2026.
The Most Practical Prompt Formula
Beginners don't need to write long sentences. A stable formula is: Subject + Action/State + Environment + Medium or Style + Lighting + Color + Composition + Parameters. First write the most important visual information, then gradually add control items. Midjourney also recommends using concise, clear phrases rather than stacking conflicting adjectives.
Reduce default beautification, follow the prompt more closely
--raw
--no
Exclude unwanted elements
--no text
--seed
Reproducing experiment conditions
--seed 1234
--draft
Quickly explore with lower GPU cost
--draft
Reference image: bring results closer to your goal
On the web interface, you can set uploaded images as Image Prompt, Style Reference, or Omni Reference. Image Prompt affects content, composition, and color; Style Reference matches visual style; Omni Reference helps maintain recognizable features of people or objects across different scenes. Don’t overload a single image with too many roles—first clarify whether you want to borrow its content, style, or subject consistency.
Standard workflow from candidate images to final output
First use Draft or standard SD to generate multiple directions.
Select the candidate with the best composition, not just local details.
Use Vary Subtle for fine-tuning, or Vary Strong for larger variations.
In the Editor, erase and repaint flawed areas; adjust aspect ratio and expand the image when needed.
Only then apply HD, upscaling, or export to final candidates to avoid burning GPU too early.
Save effective prompts, parameters, seeds, and reference images to your own template library.
Turn an image into a video
Open an image, choose Auto or Manual in Animate Image, then select Low Motion or High Motion. The initial video is 5 seconds, extendable up to 21 seconds. Beginners should prioritize Low Motion and set Batch Size to 1 or 2 to control costs. For more on image quality, GPU consumption, and purchasing value, continue reading "Midjourney Video Generation Tool: Is It Worth Buying in 2026?"
Six most common mistakes for beginners
Overly long prompts that demand multiple conflicting styles at once.
Writing only abstract evaluations like "more premium" without describing lighting, material, or composition.
Repeatedly using HD, upscaling, and video right from the start, quickly exhausting Fast GPU.
Using High Motion for complex human movements while expecting every frame to follow real physics.
Uploading confidential client materials or reference images without usage rights in public mode.
Failing to save successful prompts and parameters, leading to trial-and-error every time.
Download, commercial use, and privacy notes
Official terms state that paid users can generally use their own created assets; rights remain after unsubscribing, but third-party rights and local laws still apply. Companies with an annual revenue over $1 million need Pro or Mega to comply with official asset ownership terms. Midjourney is public by default; to keep works hidden, use Pro or Mega's Stealth mode and create on the web, DMs, or private servers.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still have to use Discord?
Not necessarily. You can perform most creation, editing, management, and video operations directly on the Midjourney website; Discord remains suitable for community, bot commands, and specific workflows.
Can I use Chinese prompts?
Yes, but in some refined styles, photography terms, and parameter combinations, English keywords may be more stable. The most effective method is to fix the same Seed and run comparative tests on the Chinese and English versions.
Reference sources
This guide is compiled based on the Getting Started Guide, Prompt Basics, Parameter List, Web vs Discord, and the 2026 updated AI Creative Tools Beginner Guide.
