Art Evolved: The Power of Imagination with MidJourney V6.1

Update: MidJourney V6.1 Release

On July 15th, I observed an announcement from MidJourney hinting at the release of V6.5. However, as of today, they have officially released V6.1, as confirmed via their Discord channel. It’s time to explore the exciting features of this new version. Whether you’re a seasoned digital artist or just starting out in the world of AI-generated art, V6.1 has something for everyone.

We delve into the captivating world of AI-generated art, fueled by the power of imagination. MidJourney’s latest release, V6.1, brings forth a palette of enhancements, promising more coherent images, improved quality, and personalized magic. Buckle up as we explore the limitless possibilities!

Key Updates in V6.1:

• Enhanced Coherence: Images now feature more coherent elements, including arms, legs, hands, bodies, plants, and animals.
• Improved Image Quality: Significant reduction in pixel artifacts and enhanced textures, skin tones, and 8-bit retro effects.
• Detailed Small Features: More precise and correct small image details, such as eyes, small faces, and faraway hands.
• Advanced Upscalers: New upscalers offer superior image and texture quality.
• Faster Processing: Approximately 25% faster for standard image jobs.
• Improved Text Accuracy: Better accuracy when drawing words using “quotations” in prompts.
• New Personalization Model: Improved nuance, surprise, and accuracy in personalized images.
• Personalization Code Versioning: Use any personalization code from old jobs to utilize the personalization model and data from that job.
• New –q 2 Mode: Takes 25% longer to process, sometimes adding more texture at the cost of reduced image coherence.
• General Aesthetic Improvement: Images should generally look more beautiful across the board.

Other Important Notes:

• Inpainting/Outpainting Model: V6.1 currently does not include a new inpainting/outpainting model. If you use zoom/reframe/repaint/vary region, it will fall back to the V6.0 model.
• Switching Back to V6: If you want to revert to V6, go to /settings and click V6 or type –v 6 after your job (or click the settings panel on the website).

Future Plans:

MidJourney plans to release a V6.2 model in the next month with further improvements. They are currently gathering data on V6.1 usage. As of today, V6.1 is the default model for all users.

This release has been a long time in the works and has been guided by community priorities submitted and ranked at MidJourney Ideas you can help them also by ranking their selections.

The Ever-Evolving Landscape of AI Art

In the blink of an eye, the world of AI-generated art has transformed. Midjourney v6.1 isn’t just another update—it’s a quantum leap that’s redefining the boundaries of digital creativity. This latest iteration has catapulted us into a new era where the line between human-made and AI-generated art is becoming increasingly blurred.
But here’s the million-dollar question: in this brave new world of AI artistry, where do human creativity and machine intelligence intersect? And more importantly, what does this mean for the future of art as we know it?

Redefining Creative Possibilities

The enhanced capabilities of Midjourney v6.1 are nothing short of remarkable. Its ability to interpret and execute complex prompts with uncanny precision is revolutionizing the way artists and designers approach their craft. Gone are the days of vague, hit-or-miss outputs. Now, creatives can expect their visions to materialize with stunning accuracy, opening up new avenues for expression and experimentation.

One of the standout features of this update is the introduction of advanced upscalers. These tools take AI-generated art to new heights, enhancing image quality and texture to a degree that rivals traditional digital art techniques. It’s as if Midjourney has developed an astute eye for detail, mimicking the meticulous touch of a seasoned artist.

A Practical Demonstration

To illustrate the capabilities of Midjourney v6.1, let’s examine a natural prompt and its resulting images:

High-fashion portrait of a fashion model, retouched in the style of associated with a high fashion magazine cover, 85mm F/1.4 lens capture being sharp and accurate details, looking direct into camera, emphasizing the model’s hands and fingers, glamorous cinematic lighting, high-fashion editorial style, soft bokeh background, anatomically correct without errors in details –ar 5:4 –style raw –v 6.1 –q 2

As you can see, the level of detail and accuracy in interpreting the prompt is impressive (default .webp version shown) . The AI’s ability to generate coherent, visually striking images from textual descriptions continues to improve with each iteration.

Current Limitations and Ongoing Development

While Midjourney v6.1 has made significant strides, it’s important to note that the technology is still evolving. Some areas still present challenges:

1. Human anatomy: The AI can struggle with certain aspects of the human form, particularly hands and feet. These elements can sometimes appear comical or disproportionate.
2. Eye focus: Although there seems to be improvement in directing eye gaze towards the camera, this aspect is still under testing and refinement.

These are just a start point on limitations serving as a reminder that AI-generated art, while increasingly sophisticated, is still a developing technology. They also highlight the ongoing need for human creativity and oversight in the artistic process.

Navigating the Ethical Landscape

As with any transformative technology, the rise of sophisticated AI art generators like Midjourney v6.1 brings with it a host of ethical considerations. Issues such as copyright infringement, the potential for deepfakes, and the responsible use of AI-generated images are becoming increasingly pressing.

It’s crucial that we, as a community of creators and innovators, take an active role in shaping the ethical framework surrounding AI art. We need to advocate for clear guidelines and regulations that protect artists’ rights while still fostering innovation. By promoting transparency and accountability in the use of AI tools, we can harness their immense potential while mitigating potential risks.

A Glimpse into the Future

As impressive as Midjourney v6.1 is, the team behind this groundbreaking technology isn’t resting on their laurels. They’ve recently announced plans for a v6.2 model, expected to release within the next month or so. This upcoming version promises further improvements, building upon the already remarkable capabilities of v6.1.

In preparation for this next iteration, Midjourney has made an important decision: v6.1 is now the default model for all users. This strategic move serves a crucial purpose – gathering as much data as possible from users engaging with v6.1. Essentially, every prompt we input and every image we generate contributes valuable information that will help shape the development of v6.2.

This approach underscores the collaborative nature of AI development. As users, we’re not just consumers of this technology; we’re active participants in its evolution. Our creative explorations with v6.1 are directly influencing the future of AI-generated art.

The Canvas Awaits

Let’s be real – Midjourney v6.1 is a game-changer, but it’s just scratching the surface. The AI art world is moving at breakneck speed, and we’re in for a wild ride. What’s coming down the pipeline? Your guess is as good as mine, but I bet it’s going to blow our minds.

For all you creatives out there – artists, designers, dabblers – now’s the time to jump in and get your hands dirty. These AI tools aren’t going to replace you; they’re here to supercharge your creativity. So experiment, push boundaries, and see what kind of crazy cool stuff you can come up with.

Sure, there are kinks to work out and ethical quandaries to untangle. But that’s part of the fun, isn’t it? We’re pioneers in this digital art frontier, and it’s up to us to shape its future.

So, what are you waiting for? Fire up Midjourney v6.1, throw some wild prompts at it, and let’s see what kind of digital magic we can cook up together. The future of art is here, folks – and it’s looking pretty damn exciting.
The future of digital art is here, and it’s more vibrant, detailed, and awe-inspiring than ever before. As we continue to navigate this brave new world, let’s remember to approach it with curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to ethical practices. The canvas of possibility stretches out before us – what will you create?

Now, here’s the exciting part: Share your stunning V6.1 images on Threads (threads.net).
Tag me (@glenegrant) and use “AI Threads” as a key tag. Let’s build a vibrant community of AI art enthusiasts!

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Original on V6.0 Release – January 2024

Original Published: January 25th 2024:

MidJourney V6 Digital Art is redefining the boundaries of AI-powered creativity and brings with it the Power of Imagination, elevating the standards of AI-generated imagery with enhanced precision, realism, and creative flexibility. Currently in their latest serving version 6 is in alpha testing and introduces several significant enhancements and changes compared to its predecessor. In the ever-evolving landscape of digital art.
MidJourney’s latest release, marks a significant leap forward. This cutting-edge tool is not just an update; it’s a complete overhaul that promises to redefine the boundaries of creative expression. So let me take you through the myriad of enhancements and new features that make V6 a game-changer in the world of digital imagery as is known to me at this writing but understanding it’s in (alpha test) so changes are part of the game going forward.

Let’s discuss the major takeaways in brief:

realistic black and white portrait of a chic model 25 years old, perfect hair cut short at the nape of the neck, heavy eye makeup, black eyeliner, black blended eye shadow, with a great smile, laughing, looking towards me as she stares at camera lens, having a 70s feel, look and vibe to the image and photography, light white, Hollywood / vogue 70’s style lighting minimalism, background white –ar 1:1 –s 750 –style raw –v 6.0

Power of Imagination enhanced by new features

1. Enhanced Prompt Accuracy and Length: The model now follows prompts more accurately and can handle longer prompts. One of the standout upgrades in V6 is its ability to comprehend and follow prompts with remarkable precision. This newfound accuracy is complemented by the model’s capability to handle extended prompt lengths.
   For artists and creators, this means the ability to convey more complex, detailed visions, and see them brought to life with unprecedented clarity.
2. Improved Coherence and Knowledge: The model exhibits better coherence in its outputs and has enhanced knowledge.
3. Advanced Image Prompting and Remixing: The model offers improved capabilities for image prompting and remixing.
4. Text Drawing Ability: V6 can draw minor text if it’s written in quotations, and adjusting the –stylize value or using –style raw can enhance this feature.
5. Improved Upscalers: Two new modes, ‘subtle’ and ‘creative’, have been introduced to upscale images, effectively doubling their resolution.
   The upscaling capabilities of V6 are nothing short of revolutionary. With two distinct modes – ‘subtle’ and ‘creative’ – the model can upscale images by 2x while catering to different aesthetic preferences. The ‘subtle’ mode maintains the original’s integrity, ideal for precision-focused images. The ‘creative’ mode, on the other hand, adds an artistic flair, perfect for when you’re feeling adventurous. Easily accessible via U1/U2/U3/U4 buttons, these upscaling options empower users to transform their images into high-resolution masterpieces.

epic scenery of moving locomotive during autumn countryside feel with great scenic outdoor vibrant colors { inserted is my original photo of train} shot should be wide angled appearance, detailing and sharp focus –ar 1:1 –s 700 –style raw –v 6.0

Below ration: 16:9

Supported Features at Launch

• Aspect Ratio (--ar)
• Chaos (--chaos)
• Weird (--weird)
• Tile (--tile)
• Stylize (--stylize)
• Style Raw (--style raw)
• Vary (subtle and strong)
• Remix, Blend (/blend)
• Describe (/describe)

Features in Development

• Pan, Zoom
• Vary (region)
• Tune, and an updated version of Describe (specific to V6) are anticipated in the coming month.

Style and Prompting in V6

• New Prompting Approach: V6 requires a different prompting technique compared to V5. It’s more sensitive to prompt details, so avoid unnecessary descriptors and be explicit about desired outcomes.
• Photographic/Literal Outputs: Use –style raw for more literal, less opinionated, or photographic results.
• Stylize Values: Lower stylize values might offer better prompt understanding, whereas higher values enhance aesthetics.

Structured Approach to Image Prompting

I have already started to experiment with a simple yet comprehensive prompt structure that mirrors a typical linguistic framework. This structure encompasses six essential components laid out below; this brings with it a whole new re-teach to my own prompting style and will for you too. (I’ve placed mine notes on a sticky next to my display to keep me focused.

1. Style
   • Purpose: Sets a specific aesthetic or artistic direction for the image.
   • Details to Include: Mention the preferred style or era (e.g., modern, Renaissance).
2. Subject
   • Purpose: Identifies the main focus of the image.
   • Details to Include: Describe the subject’s characteristics (e.g., appearance, colors, unique features), whether it’s a person, object, or animal.
3. Setting
   • Purpose: Defines the backdrop or environment surrounding the subject.
   • Details to Include: Include the location type (indoor, outdoor, imaginary), environmental elements (nature scenes, urban landscapes), time of day, and weather conditions.
4. Composition
   • Purpose: Decides the layout and perspective of the subject and other elements.
   • Details to Include: Specify the viewpoint (close-up, wide, aerial), angle, and specific framing preferences.
5. Lighting
   • Purpose: Determines the mood and visual tone of the image.
   • Details to Include: Describe the lighting type (bright, dim, natural) and mood (cheerful, mysterious), along with any atmospheric effects.
6. Additional Info
   • Purpose: Adds depth and complexity to the image.
   • Details to Include: Mention secondary elements like objects, characters, animals, and their interactions or relative placement to the main subject.
7. Style References (added 01-Feb.-2024)
   See below for details
   

accurate in details photo of a spider forward facing to camera very sitting on a chrysanthemum flower, shot on extreme midnight black background, close-up, macro full frame exposure –chaos 5 –ar 4:3 –s 750 –style raw –v 6.0

Style References – Key Features:

• Style References allow users to define a consistent style across their generated images by referencing external images as style guides.
• Users can include one or more URLs to images that describe the desired consistent style using the --sref command.
• The image model will consider these URLs as “style references” and attempt to match their aesthetics in the generated images.

How to Use Style References:

1. Initiating Style References: Add --sref after your prompt and then list the URLs to the images that represent your desired style. For example: --sref urlA urlB urlC.
2. Weighting Different Styles: Assign relative weights to different styles by appending :: followed by a number to the URLs, such as --sref urlA::2 urlB::3 urlC::5.
   This allows for nuanced control over the influence of each style reference.
3. Setting Stylization Strength: Use --sw followed by a number to set the overall strength of the stylization. The default is 100, with 0 turning off stylization and 1000 being the maximum strength.
4. Order of Prompts: Place regular image prompts before --sref commands to ensure proper processing. For instance: /imagine cat ninja ImagePrompt1 ImagePrompt2 --sref stylePrompt1 stylePrompt2.

Compatibility: (very important)

• The “Style References” feature is compatible with both V6 and Niji V6 versions of MidJourney.
• It is not compatible with V5 and earlier versions.

This feature enhances the ability to generate images with a more tailored aesthetic, offering users creative control over the style of their outputs based on existing images. It’s a powerful tool for aligning generated images with specific branding or artistic styles, making it particularly useful for projects requiring a consistent visual theme.

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In General – Important Considerations

• Alpha Testing Phase: As I’ve repeated a few times this is their first release public and it is Alpha so expect frequent changes and updates, as V6 is still in it’s testing phase.
  Check those Discord channels for update announcements, prompt help and general support.
• Model Availability: The exact features and capabilities of V6 might change before its full release.
• Improvements and Performance: Over time, speed, image quality, coherence, and prompt accuracy are expected to improve. However, currently, V6 is slower and more resource-intensive than V5.
• Community Standards: Given V6’s ability to generate highly realistic imagery, there’s a heightened focus on community standards and moderation.
  As such MidJourney has issued the following (paraphrased):
  This version of the model is capable of producing imagery with a level of realism that surpasses all our previous releases. We have significantly enhanced our moderation systems to enforce our community standards more strictly and rigorously. Please refrain from inappropriate behavior and avoid creating images that may incite controversy.

Overall, V6 promises significant improvements in image generation quality and functionality, but users should remain adaptable to ongoing changes and updates during its alpha testing phase.

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Update and Accuracy Advisory

This article provides an overview and analysis of MidJourney V6 (Alpha) based on the currently available information and my initial, albeit limited, testing. These tests involved using prompts from previous works created with MidJourney V5.2 for comparison and understanding the advancements in V6.

It’s important to note that AI technology, especially in such innovative tools as MidJourney, is in a constant state of evolution and refinement. Therefore, some features or functionalities of MidJourney V6 discussed in this article might undergo changes after publication.

As I continue to experiment more extensively with MidJourney V6 and compare it with its predecessors, I plan to update this article to reflect new insights and any modifications to the software. These updates will be aimed at maintaining the relevance and accuracy of the content.

While I endeavor to present precise and up-to-date information, there is always a possibility of minor errors or omissions in the rapidly changing field of AI-driven digital art. Readers are encouraged to keep this in mind and to verify the latest updates directly from MidJourney sources or their Discord Channel

Stay Updated and Connect

For the latest updates on this article and more, you can follow my discussions on Threads @ glenegrant or connect with me on Facebook, all available at @glenegrant or hit me up via my contact here. Your insights and experiences with MidJourney V6 are valuable, and I look forward to our continued exploration in the world of AI and digital art.