What is Midjourney? How to Use It to Create AI Images

by Chris Von Wilpert, BBusMan • Last updated November 17, 2023

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What is Midjourney?

Have you ever stumbled upon a mesmerizing piece of artwork that made you question if it was created by human hands or an otherworldly force? Or perhaps, found yourself lost in the intricate details of a hyperrealistic image that seemed too good to be true? Welcome to Midjourney — where artificial intelligence and human imagination join forces to create stunning visual masterpieces. A magical land where AI-generated images can take your breath away, spark political satire, or even morph into your favorite cartoon character. So buckle up and dive into the world of AI image generation with Midjourney!

Midjourney fast facts

  • Midjourney's AI transforms text prompts into visual art, crafting images that bridge the gap between human creativity and artificial intelligence.

  • David Holz led Midjourney to profitability shortly after its open beta release, underlining the commercial viability of AI-powered image generators.

  • Midjourney offers tiered subscriptions, providing users with powerful servers via Discord to generate anything from portraits to pixel art.

  • Art created via Midjourney can be sold, allowing subscribers to monetize their AI-assisted artwork on various platforms.

  • Midjourney supports privacy-conscious creation, with features that enable artists to produce images discreetly using stealth or private modes.

What is Midjourney?

Midjourney is a fascinating fusion of artificial intelligence and human creativity, producing millions of captivating images that blur the line between reality and imagination. It's an AI-powered art generator that turns the imaginative powers of us humans into stunning high-res visuals ranging from realistic portraits to whimsical cartoon characters. With its Stability AI, Midjourney has captured the attention of thousands worldwide, making waves in realms like political satire and artistic expression.

The magic behind Midjourney lies in its ability to generate four breathtaking images based on simple text prompts within seconds using Discord bot integration. This innovative platform uses massive image datasets along with a diffusion process to craft hyperrealistic masterpieces at lightning speed. Its beta version has already been adopted by millions of users who appreciate not only its ease-of-use but also its potential for redefining artistic styles and automating image generation.

Despite being relatively new on the scene, Midjourney faces challenges when it comes to policing content — particularly adult material — and ensuring a stable user experience for everyone involved (particularly Chinese users who get a special edition, who don't have access to Discord). Nevertheless, Midjourney continues pushing boundaries with features like "AI-powered" content moderation systems, country versions, and subscription plans tailored for various needs.

Who owns Midjourney?

Midjourney is an innovative generative artificial intelligence program and service developed by the San Francisco-based independent research lab, Midjourney Inc. This groundbreaking platform creates images from natural language descriptions known as "prompts," drawing comparisons to OpenAI's DALL-E and Stability AI's Stable Diffusion. The open beta version of this tool was launched on July 12, 2022, showcasing its potential for revolutionizing image generation.

The mastermind behind Midjourney is David Holz, co-founder of Leap Motion. Under his leadership, the company has already achieved profitability in a short span of time since entering open beta (as mentioned in summer of 2022). Midjourney Inc.'s journey began with launching their Discord server on March 14th where they requested high-quality photographs posted on Twitter/Reddit for system training purposes.

Since then it has come a long way — evolving into an influential player in AI-generated art that continues captivating imaginations across various communities.

How do I get started with Midjourney?

Getting started with Midjourney is a breeze, thanks to its seamless integration with Discord. First things first, you'll need a verified Discord account. If you don't have one yet, create and verify your account by following the necessary steps on the platform. With that out of the way, it's time to dive into the world of AI-generated art.

Next up is choosing a subscription plan that suits your needs. Head over to Midjourney.com/account and sign in using your verified Discord credentials. You'll find various plans tailored for different users — simply pick one that works best for you! Once subscribed, join the official Midjourney server on Discord by clicking on "Join Server" and entering their URL: http://discord.gg/midjourney.

Now comes the fun part — creating stunning images! Locate any channel labeled general-# or newbie-# within the Midjourney server. These channels are designed specifically for beginners like yourself. To generate an image from text prompts (also known as Prompts), use the "/imagine" prompt, followed by your description in those channels' message fields — voilà! The bot will interpret your prompt and start generating images within seconds.

The "share-your-stuff" channel on Discord, where users share artistic creations generated by the Midjourney AI within Discord. Photograph: Yubin via AiTuts

Can I use Midjourney for free?

While Midjourney offers an incredible platform for generating AI-powered images, it doesn't offer a free subscription. Instead, they have four subscription tiers to choose from: Basic, Standard, Pro, and Mega. Each plan comes with its own set of features and benefits tailored to different user needs.

The monthly subscriptions range from $10 for the Basic Plan up to $120 for the Mega Plan. If you opt for an annual subscription instead of month-to-month payments, you can enjoy a 20% discount on your chosen plan. All subscriptions include access to the Midjourney member gallery, official Discord server usage rights under general commercial terms, and free customer support.

To subscribe or manage your existing plan simply head over to https://www.midjourney.com/account/ or use the /subscribe command in Discord chat if you're already logged in there. Keep in mind that unused monthly Fast GPU time does not roll over when your subscription renews.

How much does Midjourney cost?

Midjourney offers four subscription tiers, catering to different user needs and budgets. Each plan comes with a unique set of features that make it easy for you to choose the one that suits your requirements.

The Basic Plan costs $10 per month or $96 annually ($8/month). It includes 3.3 hours of Fast GPU Time per month, allowing users to generate images at a quicker pace. However, this plan does not offer Relax GPU Time and any extra GPU time can be purchased at $4/hour.

Next up is the Standard Plan priced at $30 monthly or an annual cost of $288 ($24/month). This tier provides 15 hours of Fast GPU Time each month along with unlimited Relax GPU Time for more leisurely image generation sessions. Similar to the Basic Plan, additional Fast GPU time can be bought for $4/hour if needed.

For those seeking more advanced options, there's the Pro Plan costing $60 per month or available annually at a discounted rate of $576 ($48/month). With this package, subscribers receive 30 hours of Fast GPU Time every month as well as unlimited Relax mode access — perfect for professional artists and designers who require extensive usage capabilities.Finally, Midjourney offers its most comprehensive option: The Mega Plan, with a $120 monthly price tag, which brings forth significant advantages such as having double fast-GPU time (60 hrs) as the Pro version.

A comparison of Midjourney's AI paid subscriptions, showcasing various tiers and the features offered at each level. Photograph: Midjourney

Can you use Midjourney privately?

If you're looking to use Midjourney privately, there are a few steps you can take. First, activate Stealth or Private mode in Discord by typing /private. This ensures that any new images you create won't be publicly visible in the Midjourney gallery.

Keep in mind that activating Stealth Mode doesn't hide your previous creations or make you invisible in public Discord channels like "Newbie" or "General 1-20." To remove your past artwork from the public gallery, delete them permanently by adding an 'X' reaction on the image within Discord.

For even more privacy, consider creating a private Discord server and inviting Midjourney's bot to join it. Setting up a server is simple and having the bot participate allows for exclusive access to your creative space without others being able to track down your work using your Discord name. By following these steps, enjoy generating stunning visuals while maintaining control over who sees what masterpiece unfolds behind closed doors.

Can you sell Midjourney art?

Yes, you can sell Midjourney art if you're on a paid subscription plan like Basic, Standard, or Pro. However, it's essential to remember that Midjourney retains a non-exclusive license for your artwork. This could limit sales opportunities on platforms requiring exclusive rights.

There are various channels where you can showcase and sell your AI-generated masterpieces: Stock Image Websites such as Shutterstock and Adobe Stock, NFT Marketplaces like OpenSea and SuperRare, Print-on-Demand services including TeeSpring or Shopify… Each platform offers unique opportunities to monetize your generated images.

Before diving into selling Midjourney art commercially, make sure to understand the commercial license associated with your subscription plan. Confirm whether exclusivity is required by the platform of choice for selling and ensure compatibility between content type and chosen platform support.

Is Midjourney better than DALL-E?

Midjourney and DALL-E are AI image generation tools that create digital images based on user-provided text prompts. While both platforms share similarities, they have unique features, algorithms, and user experiences.

Midjourney is known for its ease of use through Discord integration, catering to various users with different subscription plans that work for pretty much any small-scale use case. DALL-E is an AI model developed by OpenAI specifically designed to generate visual content from text inputs. It showcases impressive capabilities but lacks the accessibility found in Midjourney's platform, as it's mainly used through APIs for full access.

Choosing between these two tools depends on your requirements and preferences. If you're looking for an accessible platform with tailored subscription options while still leveraging powerful image generation capabilities, then Midjourney might be a better fit. However, if you want to explore an advanced algorithm focused solely on generating high-quality images without additional features or services like those offered by Midjourney's Discord bot integration system, or need an advanced algorithm to help you build an AI product — then DALL-E could be worth considering.

Is Midjourney the best AI image generator?

Midjourney is indeed a fantastic AI image generator that has gained popularity for its user-friendly approach and integration with Discord. It caters to various users, from hobbyists to professionals, offering diverse features through different subscription plans.

However, it's essential to remember that the world of AI image generation is constantly evolving and growing more competitive. While Midjourney shines in many aspects today, there might be other tools emerging or existing ones improving their capabilities — like new DALL-E models coming out continuously.

In conclusion, although Midjourney can be considered one of the best AI image generators currently available based on its accessibility and powerful features, it's always wise to keep an eye out for new developments in this rapidly changing field. Who knows what exciting innovations await us around the corner?

A compilation of vibrant and lush bathroom interior designs, each scene richly decorated with an abundance of flowers and plants — generated using Midjourney. Images: Easy With AI

What is the best AI image generator?

Identifying the best AI image generator can be subjective, as different tools cater to various user preferences and project requirements. Some popular options include Midjourney, DALL-E, and RunwayML. Each platform offers unique features and capabilities that make them stand out in their own right.

Midjourney is known for its Discord integration and user-friendly experience while providing several subscription plans. DALL-E showcases impressive visual content quality based on text inputs and the capabilities of OpenAI's GPT algorithm. RunwayML offers a more comprehensive approach by combining machine learning models with creative applications such as video editing or 3D rendering.

Ultimately, determining the best AI image generator depends on your specific needs and desired outcomes from using these tools. It's essential to explore each option thoroughly before deciding which one aligns most closely with your artistic vision or project goals — whether it's ease of use with Midjourney, cutting-edge technology and developer options from DALL-E, or the versatility offered by RunwayML.

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