Unlocking Visual Storytelling: 20 Midjourney Composition Prompts to Make You Stand Out
In the world of AI art, Midjourney AI is undoubtedly a powerful creative partner. But have you ever felt that your works always seem familiar? Composition, a core concept in photography and painting, is the key to breaking the deadlock and endowing images with soul. An excellent composition can guide the audience's sight, tell stories, and evoke emotions.
Today, we will delve into how to guide Midjourney AI to generate 20 distinct composition styles through precise prompts. Whether you are a novice or an experienced user, this guide will open a new world for you.
Core Prompt Structure
Before we start, remember this simple formula:
Subject + Scene/Action + Composition Keywords + Style/Parameters Composition keywords are the focus of this exploration, and we will place them at the core of the prompts.
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20 Composition Styles & Midjourney Prompt Examples
1. Symmetrical Composition
Prompt: A majestic palace hallway with a checkered floor, reflected perfectly in a still water puddle on the floor, symmetrical composition, wide-angle shot
Prompt Formula: [Subject] + symmetrical composition + [Symmetry type, e.g., bilateral symmetry] + [Scene]
Core Logic: Emphasize absolute balance and stability to create a solemn, peaceful, or surreal atmosphere.
Bonus Tip: Add "reflection" to create water or mirror symmetry, making the image more layered.
2. Rule of Thirds Composition
Prompt: A lone astronaut sitting on a rock on Mars, positioned at the lower left intersection point according to the rule of thirds, vast landscape
Prompt Formula: [Subject] + rule of thirds + [Subject position, e.g., right lower third] + [Scene/Style]
Core Logic: Placing the subject at the intersection of the "tic-tac-toe" grid is the most classic and visually appealing composition method.
Bonus Tip: Supplement with "eye-level shot" to make the image more immersive.
3. Leading Lines Composition
Prompt: An endless railway track stretching through a desert at sunset, leading the eye to a distant mountain, leading lines, cinematic lighting
Prompt Formula: [Leading line element] + leading line composition + [Subject] + [Sense of scene extension]
Core Logic: Use natural or man-made lines to guide the viewer's sight to the depth of the image or the subject.
Bonus Tip: Pair with "vanishing point" to strengthen the sense of line convergence and enhance the depth.
4. Frame Composition
Prompt: A serene lake view seen through a crumbling stone archway, framed composition, photorealistic
Prompt Formula: [Outer frame] + frame within a frame composition + [Subject] + [Contrast between inner and outer scenes]
Core Logic: Use elements like doors, windows, or leaves to form a "picture-in-picture", focusing on the subject and adding layers.
Bonus Tip: Use "blurred" for the outer frame and keep the subject clear for a more obvious focusing effect.
5. Fill the Frame Composition
Prompt: Extreme close-up of a monarch butterfly's wing, patterns filling the entire frame, macro photography, highly detailed
Prompt Formula: [Subject] + fill frame composition + [Detail keywords] + [Close-up perspective]
Core Logic: Let the subject fill the entire frame with rich details, creating a strong visual impact without negative space.
Bonus Tip: Add "texture focus" to make AI prioritize rendering the details of the subject.
6. Negative Space Composition
Prompt: A single small sailboat floating on a vast, calm ocean, under a soft sky, minimalism, ample negative space
Prompt Formula: [Subject] + negative space composition + [Negative space ratio, e.g., 70% negative space] + [Mood keywords]
Core Logic: A lot of negative space creates a mood of loneliness, peace, or freedom, leaving room for imagination.
Bonus Tip: Use "soft gradient background" instead of solid colors to prevent the negative space from being monotonous.
7. Diagonal Composition
Prompt: A sleek sports car speeding on a wet city street at night, dynamic diagonal composition, motion blur, neon lights
Prompt Formula: [Subject] + diagonal composition + [Line direction, e.g., from top-left to bottom-right] + [Dynamic keywords]
Core Logic: Uses diagonal elements to increase the sense of dynamism and instability in the image.
Bonus Tip: Incorporate "dynamic blur" to strengthen the sense of movement, suitable for themes like people and animals.
8. Golden Ratio (Spiral) Composition
Prompt: A mysterious ancient scroll unfurling on a wooden table, its end curling into a golden spiral, leading to a glowing gem, golden ratio
Prompt Formula: [Subject] + golden ratio composition + [Subject position, e.g., golden spiral focus] + [Detail description]
Core Logic: An advanced composition rule where the sight naturally focuses on the end along the spiral, full of mathematical beauty.
Bonus Tip: Pair with "golden spiral" to make the distribution of elements more naturally rhythmic.
9. Triangular Composition
Prompt: Three mountain climbers forming a stable triangle shape on a snowy peak, triangular composition, dramatic lighting
Prompt Formula: [Three core elements] + triangular composition + [Triangle type, e.g., stable triangle] + [Scene]
Core Logic: Create a sense of stability, solidity, or tension (depending on the orientation of the triangle).
Bonus Tip: Design triangle vertices with "different heights" to make the image more layered.
10. Centered Composition
Prompt: A glowing magic crystal floating in the center of a dark, ancient library, centered composition, dramatic spotlight
Prompt Formula: [Subject] + centered composition + [Scene/Style] + Detail description + Quality parameters
Core Logic: Place the subject directly in the center of the image, which is direct and powerful, emphasizing the importance of the subject.
Bonus Tip: Pair with "symmetrical lighting" to strengthen the central focusing effect.
11. Repetition & Pattern Composition
Prompt: Hundreds of identical red umbrellas hanging upside down in an art installation, repetitive pattern, vibrant colors, top-down view
Prompt Formula: [Repetitive subject] + [Arrangement/state, e.g., repetitive pattern] + [Composition/perspective keywords, e.g., top-down view] + [Scene/Style]
Core Logic: Use repetitive elements to form a strong visual rhythm and sense of melody.
Bonus Tip: Introduce a "breaker" into the perfect repetition to immediately create a visual focal point and storytelling.
12.Balanced Composition (Contrast Composition)
Prompt: A large, gnarled tree on the left balanced by a small, bright moon on the top right, balanced composition, ink wash painting style
Prompt Formula: [Subject A] + contrast composition + [Contrast elements, e.g., color contrast: red vs blue] + [Scene]
Core Logic: Achieve visual balance in the frame through contrast in size, color, light, and shadow.
Bonus Tip: Add "high dynamic range" to make the contrast more vivid without losing details.
13. Unbalanced Composition
Prompt: A massive giant leaning into the frame from the left, looking down at a tiny city, unbalanced composition, sense of scale and tension
Prompt Formula: [Subject] + [Off-center position/dynamic action, e.g., leaning, stumbling] + [Unbalanced visual elements, e.g., unbalanced composition] + [Atmosphere-creating keywords, e.g., chaotic, tense]
Core Logic: Deliberately break the balance to create effects of tension, unease, or dynamism.
Bonus Tip: Introducing "Dutch angle" is a god-level keyword for creating a sense of imbalance. It creates a tilted horizon by tilting the camera, instantly bringing tension and disorientation, widely used in movies and horror games.
14. Silhouette Composition
Prompt: Silhouettes of two people holding hands on a hill against a vibrant sunset sky, silhouette, high contrast
Prompt Formula: [Subject with distinct outline] + [Background, e.g., against a vibrant sunset sky] + [Silhouette core keywords, e.g., silhouette] + [Light source/color description, e.g., backlighting]
Core Logic: Highlight the outline and shape of the subject, emphasizing the atmosphere and color of the scene.
Bonus Tip: Introduce dynamic elements to make the silhouette "move", which can increase the sense of instantaneity of the image.
15. Bird's-Eye View Composition
Prompt: Aerial top-down view of a colorful market with striped awnings, geometric pattern, vibrant
Prompt Formula: [Subject/Scene] + top-down composition + [Overlooking height, e.g., aerial view] + [Layout keywords]
Core Logic: Shooting from directly above, often used to display patterns, layouts, and colors.
Bonus Tip: Add "grid pattern" to make the overhead image more orderly.
16. Worm's-Eye View Composition
Prompt: Worm's-eye view of towering skyscrapers reaching into a cloudy sky, looking up from street level, ultra-wide angle, low-angle composition
Prompt Formula: [Subject] + low-angle composition + [Degree of looking up, e.g., extreme low angle] + [Imposing keywords]
Core Logic: Shooting upward from an extremely low angle to exaggerate height, creating a grand or oppressive feeling.
Bonus Tip: Pair with "dramatic sky" to enhance the momentum of the image.
17. Open Composition
Prompt: A character running out of the frame, leaving a trail of light, only half of their body visible, open composition, dynamic
Prompt Formula: [Dynamic subject] + dynamic composition + [Motion keywords, e.g., motion blur] + [Perspective]
Core Logic: The subject is partially or fully outside the frame, implying space beyond the image and creating a stronger sense of story.
Bonus Tip: Add "action lines" to strengthen dynamic tension.
18. Closed Composition
Prompt: A family gathered around a cozy fireplace in a cabin, all elements contained within the frame, closed composition, intimate feeling
Prompt Formula: [Clear subject and scene] + [Internal layout/boundary keywords, e.g., closed composition] + [Visual guiding elements, e.g., circular arrangement] + [Stable/complete mood words, e.g., cozy, complete]
Core Logic: All important elements are completely contained within the frame, forming a self-sufficient and complete world.
Bonus Tip: Draw on classical art—Renaissance and many classical oil paintings are models of closed composition. Citing these styles in prompts can naturally yield more balanced, closed frames.
19. S-Curve Composition
Prompt: A winding river flowing through a lush green valley in the shape of an 'S', S-curve composition, serene landscape
Prompt Formula: [Subject with S-shaped lines] + S-curve composition + [Mood keywords, e.g., serene] + [Perspective]
Core Logic: Elegant S-shaped lines guide the sight, adding softness and depth to the image.
Bonus Tip: Pair with "soft focus" to highlight the gentle beauty of the curve, suitable for portraits and landscapes.
20. Radial Composition
Prompt: Sunlight bursting through dark clouds in radiant beams, over a dramatic seascape, radial composition, god rays
Prompt Formula: [Central subject] + radial composition + [Radiating elements] + [Dynamic/static atmosphere]
Core Logic: Lines or elements radiate from a central point to the surroundings, with explosive power and cohesion.
Bonus Tip: Add "glow effect" to strengthen the sense of radiation, suitable for night scenes and fantasy themes.
Usage Tips & Advanced Techniques
1. Combination:
Don't limit yourself to one composition. You can try "frame composition with leading lines" or "bird's-eye view with repetitive patterns".
2. Adjust Parameters:
Use --ar (aspect ratio) to match the composition. Wide screen (--ar 16:9) is suitable for landscapes and leading lines, while square screen (--ar 1:1) is suitable for centered and diagonal compositions.
3. Use Weighting Skillfully:
If Midjourney AI doesn't understand your composition intent, you can use :: weighting. For example: rule of thirds::1.5 to emphasize the importance of the rule of thirds. (Default weighting: All words have a weighting of 1. Strengthen weighingt: Values greater than 1, such as ::2, ::3. The larger the value, the higher the importance. Weaken weighting: Values between 0 and 1, such as ::0.5).
4. Reference Artists:
Add the names of photographers or painters known for specific compositions in the prompt, such as in the style of Ansel Adams (famous for using the rule of thirds and grand compositions).
Composition is the grammar of visual language. By consciously using these composition prompts, you will advance from "randomly generating beautiful pictures" to "purposefully creating the images in your mind". Now, input these prompts into Midjourney AI and witness how the magic of composition elevates your creativity to new heights!