Midjourney Aspect Ratio 1.5: A Practical Workflow Guide — LiliDi Blog
Master Midjourney aspect ratio 1.5 with a step-by-step workflow. Get concrete prompts and examples for consistent, high-quality image generation.
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Midjourney Aspect Ratio 1.5: A Practical Workflow Guide Generating AI images with a specific aspect ratio is less about magic and more about methodical prompting. While Midjourney offers a ar parameter for controlling the width to height ratio, consistently achieving visually compelling results with a 1.5 aspect ratio (e.g., 3:2 or 16:10) requires a practical workflow. This guide breaks down the process, offering actionable steps, concrete prompts, and real world examples to help you master 1.5 aspect ratio imagery. Understanding Aspect Ratio 1.5 in Midjourney Aspect ratio 1.5 simply means the image width is 1.5 times its height. This translates to common photographic ratios like 3:2, which you'll find in DSLR cameras, or even slightly wider ratios like 16:10, often seen in laptop screens. It's a versatile ratio, offering a natural feel for many landscapes, portraits, and product shots
without being excessively wide or tall. Midjourney allows you to specify this using ar 3:2 or ar 16:10 . While technically 3:2 is approximately 1.5, and 16:10 is exactly 1.6, we're focusing on the general "1.5 ish" aesthetic that these ratios provide. The key is understanding that the AI interprets the content differently based on the canvas dimensions. The Step by Step Workflow for Consistent 1.5 Aspect Ratio Images Achieving predictable results with ar 3:2 or ar 16:10 is an iterative process. Here's a workflow that minimizes randomness and maximizes control. Step 1: Define Your Core Concept and Shot Type Before you even type /imagine , clarify what you want to depict and how you envision it within a 1.5 aspect ratio frame. Is it a wide landscape, a headshot, an action scene, or a product? This initial conceptualization informs your initial prompt. Example A (Landscape): "A serene
mountain lake at sunrise, reflections on the still water." Example B (Portrait): "A stoic elderly man with deep wrinkles, looking directly at the viewer." Example C (Product): "A sleek, minimalist coffee mug on a wooden table, soft natural light." Step 2: Craft Your Initial Prompt with ar 3:2 (or ar 16:10 ) Start with a descriptive prompt, adding the aspect ratio parameter at the very end. For 1.5 aspect ratio, ar 3:2 is often a good starting point due to its natural photographic feel. Experiment with ar 16:10 if you need something slightly wider. Prompt A (Landscape): /imagine a serene mountain lake at sunrise, reflections on the still water ar 3:2 Prompt B (Portrait): /imagine a stoic elderly man with deep wrinkles, looking directly at the viewer ar 3:2 Prompt C (Product): /imagine a sleek, minimalist coffee mug on a wooden table, soft natural light ar 3:2 Self correction tip: Avoid
overly complex prompts in the very first iteration. Establish the basic composition first. Step 3: Analyze the Initial Grid and Identify Compositional Issues Midjourney will generate a 2x2 grid. Pay close attention to how the subjects are framed within the 3:2 (or 16:10) canvas. Look for: Cropping issues: Is the main subject cut off? Are important elements missing? Negative space: Is there too much or too little? Is it balanced? Subject placement: Is the subject centered when it should be off center (rule of thirds), or vice versa? Understanding the AI: Midjourney often tries to fill the frame. If your subject is small in a scene, it might upscale it to fit the 1.5 aspect ratio, potentially losing context. Step 4: Refine Your Prompt with Compositional Descriptors and Camera Angles This is where you guide Midjourney to better utilize the 1.5 aspect ratio. Use terms related to framing,
camera shots, and negative space. For Cropping Issues: "wide shot" / "full body shot" to ensure the whole subject is visible. "far shot" / "from a distance" to create more environmental context. "include surrounding environment" or "with ample negative space". For Subject Placement: "centered composition" / "subject in the center" "rule of thirds composition" / "subject slightly off center" "foreground subject, blurred background" to emphasize depth. For Specific Focus: "close up shot" (if you want the 1.5 ratio to frame a detail). "medium shot" (waist up). "detailed view of X". Let's refine our previous examples: Refined Prompt A (Landscape): /imagine a serene wide shot of a mountain lake at sunrise, reflections on the still water, majestic peaks in the background, a small boat docked on the left ar 3:2 (Added "wide shot," "majestic peaks in the background," and "small boat docked on
the left" to give the AI more elements to place within the wider frame.) Refined Prompt B (Portrait): /imagine a medium shot of a stoic elderly man with deep wrinkles, looking directly at the viewer, framed against a weathered stone wall ar 3:2 (Added "medium shot" and "framed against a weathered stone wall" to ensure the 1.5 ratio doesn't cut off his shoulders or create too much empty space.) Refined Prompt C (Product): /imagine a sleek, minimalist coffee mug on a wooden table, soft natural light from a window on the left, foreground subject with bokeh background ar 3:2 (Added "from a window on the left" and "foreground subject with bokeh background" to guide the depth of field and utilize the horizontal space.) Step 5: Iterate with Variations and Remixing Once you have a good base image from a refined prompt, use Midjourney's V (Variations) functions. If you find a particular part of
an image working, but others aren't, consider the Remix function (when enabled via /prefer remix ). Remixing allows you to alter the prompt for a specific variation, ideal for fine tuning the 1.5 aspect ratio composition without starting from scratch. Example Remix: If an image from Prompt B has a great facial expression but the background is bland, you could Remix it and change "framed against a weathered stone wall" to "framed against a rustic wooden door, soft bokeh." Step 6: Leverage lilidi.ai for Post Generation Edits (Optional but Recommended) Even with the best prompting, sometimes minor tweaks are needed. Platforms like lilidi.ai can be invaluable for post generation refinements. You can use their tools to: Crop and Reframe: If Midjourney gave you slightly more canvas than needed, or if you want to perfectly adhere to a specific sub ratio within 1.5 (e.g., cropping a 16:10 down
to a perfect 3:2 without losing key elements). Inpainting/Outpainting: Add or remove minor elements that might interfere with your desired 1.5 composition. Upscale and Enhance: Improve the quality of your chosen image while maintaining the desired aspect ratio information. Step 7: A/B Test Different 1.5 Ratios (3:2 vs. 16:10) Don't get fixated on just one interpretation of "1.5". Try both ar 3:2 and ar 16:10 for your best prompts. Often, one will naturally fit your subject better. For instance, a very wide landscape might feel more natural at 16:10, while a classic portrait might prefer 3:2. Advanced Tips for 1.5 Aspect Ratio Mastery Reference Images: Use image prompts ( /imagine [image URL] your text prompt ar 3:2 ). If you have a reference image that already embodies a great 1.5 aspect ratio composition, Midjourney can draw inspiration from its framing. Negative Prompting: Use no to
exclude elements that might disrupt your desired composition. E.g., no distracting background elements . Iterate Small Changes: Instead of rewriting your entire prompt, make small, incremental changes. Observe the effect, then adjust again. This is especially true when refining compositional aspects. "Golden Ratio" Keywords: While not strictly 1.5, keywords like "golden ratio composition" or "rule of thirds" can sometimes lead to more aesthetically pleasing framing within the chosen aspect ratio. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them Generic Prompts: "A dog running" with ar 3:2 will give inconsistent results. Be specific about the breed, setting, action, and desired framing. Over reliance on ar alone: The parameter sets the canvas, but your descriptive prompt dictates what fills it. Don't expect ar 3:2 to magically produce a perfectly composed 3:2 image without guidance. Ignoring the
Grid: Always analyze the initial 2x2 grid. It provides critical feedback on how Midjourney is interpreting your prompt within the specified aspect ratio. Lack of Iteration: Rarely will your first prompt at 1.5 aspect ratio be perfect. Embrace the iterative process of refining and regenerating. Conclusion: Your 1.5 Aspect Ratio Workflow for Success Mastering the 1.5 aspect ratio in Midjourney is about understanding both the technical parameter ar 3:2 (or ar 16:10 ) and the art of compositional prompting. By following this step by step workflow—from defining your concept and crafting initial prompts to refining with camera descriptors and iterating through variations—you can achieve consistent, high quality results. Remember to analyze your grids, make targeted prompt adjustments, and don't hesitate to use tools like lilidi.ai for final touches. With practice, you'll find yourself creating
stunning images that perfectly leverage the versatile 1.5 aspect ratio. FAQ Q1: What's the difference between ar 3:2 and ar 16:10 for a 1.5 aspect ratio? A1: While both are close to a 1.5 aspect ratio, ar 3:2 is exactly 1.5 (e.g., 1500x1000 pixels) and is very common in photography, offering a classic, balanced look. ar 16:10 is approximately 1.6 (e.g., 1600x1000 pixels) making it slightly wider. The choice often depends on your specific aesthetic preference and how the AI composes the scene within each dimension. Q2: Why does my Midjourney image still look poorly composed even with ar 3:2 ? A2: The ar parameter sets the canvas size, but it doesn't automatically guarantee good composition. If your images are poorly composed, it's usually due to a lack of descriptive compositional elements in your prompt. Add terms like "wide shot," "close up," "centered," "rule of thirds," "foreground
subject," or "ample negative space" to guide Midjourney's framing within the 3:2 ratio. Q3: Can I change the aspect ratio of an existing Midjourney image post generation? A3: Directly changing the aspect ratio within Midjourney after generation is not possible. Once an image is generated, its aspect ratio is fixed. However, you can use the Remix feature to alter the prompt for a variation of an existing image, including changing the ar parameter. Alternatively, external image editing tools like those offered by lilidi.ai can be used to crop or cleverly outpaint an image to fit a new aspect ratio, though this might involve adding content or losing parts of the original image. Related on LiliDi How LiliDi compares to Midjourney