For a long time, AI-generated images had a distinct "plastic" look. They were overly smooth, saturated, and clearly digital. However, with the release of Midjourney v6, the game has changed. This model is capable of generating textures, skin pores, and lighting that is indistinguishable from high-end DSLR photography.
If you want to sell on Adobe Stock or Shutterstock, "photorealism" is your most important asset. Buyers want images that look like real life. In this guide, we reveal the prompt parameters and keywords that trick the AI into behaving like a physical camera.
1. The Importance of "--style raw"
By default, Midjourney applies its own aesthetic bias—usually moody, artistic, and illustrative. This is great for fantasy art but terrible for stock photography.
To strip away this AI bias, you must use the parameter --style raw. This tells the model to
adhere strictly to your prompt without adding unnecessary "flair."
Using --style raw will make your lighting look more natural and less "cinematic" in a fake
way. It is essential for lifestyle and business stock.
2. Camera and Lens Keywords
One of the best ways to force photorealism is to speak the language of photography. If you tell Midjourney *how* the photo was taken, it will render the optical characteristics of that lens.
Focal Lengths
- 35mm: Great for environmental portraits where you want to see the person and the room. (e.g., "shot on 35mm lens").
- 85mm: The gold standard for portraits. It flatters the face and compresses the background. (e.g., "85mm lens, f/1.8").
- Macro / 100mm: For close-ups of food, textures, or technology.
Film Stocks
Adding film stock names adds grain and imperfect color grading, which paradoxically makes the image look more real. Try adding these to your prompt:
- "Kodak Portra 400" (Great for skin tones)
- "Fujifilm Pro 400H" (Great for nature and bright scenes)
- "Cinestill 800T" (Great for night scenes with neon lights)
3. Lighting: The Stock Photo Look
Stock photography is generally known for being "bright and airy." Dark, moody images sell less frequently for commercial purposes (ads, websites, brochures).
Use these lighting keywords to increase sales potential:
- "Natural window lighting": Soft, directional light that looks authentic.
- "Softbox lighting": Even, professional studio lighting ideal for corporate headshots.
- "Golden hour": Warm sunlight, perfect for travel and lifestyle.
4. Aspect Ratios for Stock
Don't just stick to the default square (1:1). Stock buyers need space for copy (text). Widescreen images are often preferred for website hero sections.
--ar 3:2(Standard DSLR landscape shape)--ar 16:9(Cinematic widescreen)--ar 2:3(Vertical, good for social media stories)
5. The Ultimate Photorealistic Prompt Structure
Put it all together. Here is a template you can use for almost any scenario:
Example in action:
Conclusion
Midjourney v6 is a tool, not a magic wand. You have to direct it. By using specific camera terminology
and the --style raw parameter, you can create images that look like they were shot by a
professional photographer, not a computer.
Use StockSyntax to generate these prompts automatically, as our system is pre-programmed with these exact photorealistic weights.