Beautiful Landscape Photography Using Midjourney
I had never thought about the technical aspects of photography until I started playing with Midjourney. As someone who loves AI tools, I was amazed at how I could create beautiful outdoor scenes without owning an expensive camera or traveling to exotic locations.
In this post, I’ll share my process for creating outdoor scenes in Midjourney. I’m not a photographer – I’m just someone who enjoys experimenting with AI. I’ll show you the exact prompts I use, explain why they work, and help you avoid the trial and error I went through.
Create the Perfect Midjourney Prompt
After lots of testing, I’ve found that having a good structure for your prompts makes a huge difference. Here’s the base prompt I use for all my outdoor scenes:
A stunning landscape photography of a [location], captured at [time of day] with [weather conditions]. Shot with [camera angle] and featuring a [color palette]. [Additional details].
Let’s break this down piece by piece:
Location
This is where you set the scene. Be specific – instead of just saying “mountain,” try “snow-capped mountain peak” or “rocky mountain cliff face.” The more detail you give, the better Midjourney understands what you want.
Examples:
- dense rainforest with a hidden waterfall
- vast desert landscape
- serene lake with a wooden dock
- rocky coastline with dramatic cliffs
Time of Day
This choice hugely affects your photo’s mood and lighting. Each time of day creates different shadows and colors:
- Sunrise: Soft, gentle light with long shadows
- Midday: Sharp, clear lighting
- Sunset: Warm, golden light
- Night: Dark with dramatic possibilities for starry skies
Weather Conditions
Weather adds character to your scene:
- Clear skies for crisp, clean shots
- Stormy clouds for drama
- Fog for mystery
- Snow for a serene feel
- Rain for mood
Camera Angle
This tells Midjourney how to “look” at your scene:
- Wide-angle: Gets everything in frame, great for big scenes
- Telephoto: Zooms in on specific details
- Eye-level: Natural, as if you’re standing there
- Low angle: Makes things look bigger and more dramatic
- High angle: Shows the layout of your scene
Color Palette
Colors set the emotional tone:
- Warm (oranges, reds, yellows): Cozy, inviting
- Cool (blues, greens): Calm, peaceful
- Vibrant: Eye-catching, energetic
- Muted: Subtle, moody
- Dark: Dramatic, mysterious
Additional Details
This is where you can add special touches:
- Foreground elements (trees, rocks, flowers)
- Lighting effects (sun rays, reflections)
- Atmospheric effects (mist, clouds)
- Special features (mountains in the background, birds in the sky)
Technical Settings
I always add these at the end of my prompts:
--ar 4:3: Creates a nice rectangular photo shape--v 6.1: Uses the latest version of Midjourney
Example Prompts and Analysis
Serene Lake at Sunset
A stunning landscape photography of a serene lake with a wooden dock, captured at sunset with a fiery sky. Shot with a wide-angle lens and featuring an intense, dramatic color palette. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
This prompt creates a peaceful lake scene with a wooden dock as the focal point, set against a dramatic sunset sky.
Desert Sunset Vista
A stunning landscape photography of a vast desert landscape at sunset, with a dramatic sky of pinks and purples. Shot from an eye-level angle, featuring a warm color palette with deep shadows on the sand dunes. Silhouettes of cacti and sparse vegetation add depth. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A sweeping desert scene that captures the warm colors of sunset across sand dunes, with cacti adding visual interest.
Historic Cathedral
A stunning landscape photography of a historic cathedral with stained glass windows, captured at sunset with a golden hour glow. Shot with a telephoto lens and featuring a warm, spiritual color palette. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
An architectural shot highlighting the details of a cathedral bathed in warm, golden light.
Winter Lake Dawn
A stunning landscape photography of a frozen lake in winter, captured at dawn with soft snow falling. Shot from a wide angle, featuring a cool, icy blue palette. Snow-covered pine trees line the shore, and mountains reflect faintly in the ice. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A winter wonderland scene capturing the quiet beauty of a frozen lake at dawn.
Hidden Waterfall
A stunning landscape photography of a dense rainforest with a hidden waterfall, captured at midday with clear skies. Shot with a wide-angle lens and featuring a vibrant, tropical color palette. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A lush tropical scene featuring a waterfall nestled within dense rainforest vegetation.
Tropical Beach Sunrise
A stunning landscape photography of a serene beach with a palm tree, captured at sunrise with a pastel sky. Shot with a telephoto lens and featuring a soft, dreamy color palette. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A tranquil beach scene at sunrise with classic tropical elements.
Stormy Coastline
A stunning landscape photography of a rocky coastline during a storm, with waves crashing against the cliffs under dark clouds. Shot from a dramatic high angle, featuring a moody blue and gray color palette. Lightning in the distance illuminates the stormy sky. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A dramatic coastal scene capturing the raw power of a storm at sea.
Misty Forest Sunrise
A stunning landscape photography of a dense forest with a hidden clearing, captured at sunrise with a foggy morning. Shot with a telephoto lens and featuring a soft, mystical color palette. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A mystical forest scene with fog adding atmosphere and mystery.
Golden Wheat Field
A stunning landscape photography of a golden wheat field at sunset, with a soft breeze swaying the stalks. Shot from a low-angle perspective, featuring warm, earthy colors. The horizon glows with fading sunlight, giving a peaceful, rustic feel. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A rural scene showcasing golden wheat swaying in the evening light.
Majestic Waterfall
A stunning landscape photography of a majestic waterfall cascading into a pool, captured at midday with clear skies. Shot with a wide-angle lens and featuring a cool, refreshing color palette. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A powerful waterfall scene with clear water and bright daylight.
Coastal Cliffs
A stunning landscape photography of dramatic coastal cliffs at noon, with a bright blue sky and choppy waves below. Shot from an elevated angle, featuring contrasting blues and earth tones. White foam splashes against the rugged rocks, creating a lively scene. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A bright daytime scene of rugged cliffs meeting the ocean.
Wildflower Field
A stunning landscape photography of a lush green field with wildflowers, captured at sunset with a golden hour glow. Shot with a wide-angle lens and featuring a warm, sunny color palette. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A colorful meadow scene filled with wildflowers in warm evening light.
City Skyline
A stunning landscape photography of a bustling city skyline with towering skyscrapers, captured at night with neon lights. Shot with a wide-angle lens and featuring a vibrant, neon color palette. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
An urban nightscape showcasing city lights and modern architecture.
Valley Village
A stunning landscape photography of a quaint village nestled in a valley, captured at sunrise with a foggy morning. Shot with a telephoto lens and featuring a soft, muted color palette. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A peaceful village scene set within a misty valley at dawn.
Mountain Night Sky
A stunning landscape photography of a snow-capped mountain range with glaciers and alpine meadows, captured at midnight with a starry sky. Shot with a wide-angle lens and featuring a cool, icy color palette. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A nighttime alpine scene combining snowy peaks with starlit skies.
Forest at Dusk
A stunning landscape photography of a dense forest with towering trees and lush vegetation, captured at dusk with a golden hour glow. Shot with a wide-angle lens and featuring a warm, earthy color palette. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A forest scene rich with detail and warm evening light.
Coastal Paradise
A stunning landscape photography of a vibrant coastal scene with turquoise water and white sand, captured at midday with clear skies. Shot with a telephoto lens and featuring a bright, bold color palette. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A bright, tropical beach scene with crystal clear waters.
Mountain Lake Sunrise
A stunning landscape photography of a serene lake surrounded by towering mountains, captured at sunrise with a misty atmosphere. Shot with a wide-angle lens and featuring a soft, pastel color palette. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A peaceful mountain lake scene with early morning mist.
Golden Hour Mountains
A stunning landscape photography of a serene mountain range, captured at golden hour with clear skies. Shot with a wide angle lens and featuring warm tones. With a lone tree in the foreground. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A mountain scene with a solitary tree silhouetted against golden light.
Autumn Forest Aerial
A stunning landscape photography of a dense forest in autumn, captured at midday under a clear blue sky. Shot from a bird’s-eye view, with a vibrant palette of reds, oranges, and yellows. Leaves carpeting the forest floor and sunbeams filtering through the trees. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
An overhead view of a forest in full autumn colors.
African Savannah
A stunning landscape photography of a sprawling savannah at golden hour, with a warm, glowing sky. Shot from an eye-level angle, featuring a palette of golds and browns. Lone acacia trees dot the horizon, casting long shadows over the grasslands. –ar 4:3 –v 6.1
A classic African landscape with acacia trees and golden grasslands.
When I first started using Midjourney, I didn’t know what to write in my prompts. I kept things simple – maybe too simple. “Mountain at sunset” or “beach with waves.” The results were okay, but not great.
Now I know that good prompts need specific details. Time of day, weather, colors, and camera angles all matter. But you don’t need to memorize everything at once. Start with the base template, try a few prompts from this guide, and change small details to see what happens.
Some of my prompts will work perfectly for you, others might need tweaking. That’s the fun part about Midjourney – each person finds their own style.
