What --stylize does
--stylize balances "follow the prompt literally" against "apply Midjourney's aesthetic taste". The default is 100. Low values (0–50) keep the result tight, restrained and photographic. High values (500–1000) let the model layer on light, color and composition flourishes, often at the cost of prompt fidelity.
5 reference values
| --s value | Behavior | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Almost purely literal | Product diagrams, medical illustrations |
| 50 | Low stylization | Realistic portraits, documentary |
| 100 (default) | Balanced | Everyday use |
| 250 | Mildly artistic | Commercial posters, brand visuals |
| 500 | Strongly artistic | Illustrations, concept art |
| 1000 | Maximum creative license | Abstract / experimental |
Per-scenario recommendations
portrait of a 30-year-old chef in a navy apron, soft window light, medium shot, photorealistic --ar 3:4 --s 150 --v 6
Realism demands restraint. Above 250 you get magazine-retouch energy.
minimal perfume bottle on cream linen, soft top-down light, commercial poster --ar 4:5 --s 300 --v 6
Posters can absorb more taste; --s 300 adds polish without breaking faithfulness.
cyberpunk samurai concept art, neon rainlit alley, dynamic composition --ar 16:9 --s 500 --v 6
Illustration loves higher stylize. Cap around 700 — above that the image overcooks.
Common mistakes
Default 100 is fine for general use but realism and medical/diagram work need 50–150.
--stylize is not a quality dial. Image quality comes from the model version, resolution and prompt clarity.
Niji 6 anime is best at --s 200–400. Below 100 the work looks stiff.