Prompt Cookbook #2 — Nature, Space, and Under the Sea

Prompt Cookbook #2 — Nature, Space, and Under the Sea

Embarking on a new creative endeavor with Midjourney’s prompt box can be both exciting and a little overwhelming, especially if you’re still exploring what you want to create and how to best phrase it. To help you dive deeper into your artistic pursuits, I’m thrilled to present the second volume of the“PromptDervish Cookbook” series. This installment focuses on enriching your imagination around themes like Nature & the Environment, Space and the Cosmos, and the Underwater World.

Just like the first cookbook, consider this cookbook your quick, go-to catalog of ideas — tailored to stimulate your creativity and enhance your prompts. Each topic comes with ready-to-use examples that showcase the concept in action.

Of course, the ultimate garnishes — whether it’s the art form you pick, the angles you consider, or the intricate details like color schemes and texture — are in your hands. This article aims to lay down the cornerstone elements that can help you assemble awe-inspiring, AI-generated art. So, open up your creative appetite, and let’s explore the unlimited possibilities these themes offer.

Nature & Environment

Abandoned Places

• Types: Ghost towns, ruined castles, abandoned factories, deserted islands
• Settings: Decayed interiors, overgrown landscapes, forgotten paths, eerie silences
• Activities: Urban exploration, photography, archaeology, storytelling
• Mood: Haunting, mysterious, nostalgic, melancholic, eerie
• Examples:

An abandoned amusement park, where nature is reclaiming the rusting rides.”

“A haunted house story centered around a long-abandoned mansion.”

Desert Landscapes

• Types: Sand dunes, rocky formations, oases, desert flora and fauna
• Settings: Expansive horizons, clear skies, isolated camps, rugged trails
• Activities: Sandboarding, camel trekking, stargazing, survival expeditions
• Mood: Majestic, vast, isolated, contemplative, harsh
• Examples:

“A seascape of endless dunes under a scorching sun.”

“A time-lapse video of a desert, showcasing the daily extremes of temperature and light.”

Environmental Themes

• Types: Climate change, deforestation, pollution, conservation, sustainability
• Settings: Protests, documentaries, educational programs, eco-villages
• Activities: Advocacy, activism, research, volunteer work, policy change
• Mood: Urgent, educational, sobering, hopeful, cautionary
• Examples:

“A community garden project aimed at promoting local and sustainable agriculture.”

“A documentary focusing on the devastating effects of plastic waste in the oceans.”

Exploration Themes

• Types: Cave diving, mountain climbing, jungle expeditions, polar treks
• Settings: Unknown territories, challenging landscapes, adventure gear, base camps
• Activities: Discovering, mapping, investigating, documenting, surviving
• Mood: Adventurous, daring, exhilarating, risky, intrepid
• Examples:

“A journey to the Earth’s poles, capturing the untouched wilderness.”

“A spelunking adventure into uncharted caves filled with unique rock formations and ecosystems.”

Farm Life and Agriculture

• Types: Crop farming, livestock, machinery, barns, farmhouses
• Settings: Fields, pastures, orchards, tractors, local markets
• Activities: Plowing, sowing, harvesting, animal care, selling produce
• Mood: Pastoral, industrious, familial, traditional, grounded
• Examples:

“A day in the life of a dairy farmer, from morning milking to evening chores.”

“An autumn pumpkin harvest festival celebrating agricultural heritage.”

Natural Wonders

• Types: Waterfalls, canyons, geysers, glaciers, mountains
• Settings: Remote locations, scenic viewpoints, guided tours, natural parks
• Activities: Sightseeing, hiking, photographing, marveling, camping
• Mood: Awe-inspiring, monumental, picturesque, pristine, overwhelming
• Examples:

“The grandeur of the Grand Canyon captured in an expansive panoramic shot.”

“An intimate look at the colors and textures of a stunning coral reef.”

Seasons & Weather

• Types: Winter snow, autumn leaves, spring blossoms, summer heat
• Settings: Changing landscapes, holiday events, seasonal shifts, weather phenomena
• Activities: Skiing, leaf-peeping, flower festivals, beach trips
• Mood: Transformative, cyclical, moody, atmospheric, timely
• Examples:

“A city street transformed by the falling autumn leaves.”

“A coastal area preparing for an incoming hurricane, highlighting nature’s power.”

Tropical Rainforests

• Types: Canopy layers, exotic wildlife, lush vegetation, flowing rivers
• Settings: Jungle trails, research stations, indigenous villages, treetop lodges
• Activities: Trekking, wildlife spotting, botany studies, river rafting
• Mood: Mystical, teeming, humid, complex, vibrant
• Examples:

“A vibrant parrot perched on a branch, surrounded by dense tropical foliage.”

“A group of scientists studying the rich biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest.”

Volcanic Eruptions

• Types: Active volcanoes, lava flows, ash clouds, pyroclastic flows
• Settings: Volcanic islands, mountain peaks, monitoring stations, exclusion zones
• Activities: Volcano trekking, data collection, aerial photography, risk assessment
• Mood: Explosive, dramatic, dangerous, dynamic, awe-inspiring
• Examples:

“The fiery spectacle of a nighttime lava flow, captured in high-definition.”

“A community banding together in the aftermath of a devastating volcanic eruption.”

Space & Cosmos

Black Holes and Wormholes

• Types: Schwarzschild black holes, Kerr black holes, Einstein-Rosen bridges
• Settings: Event horizons, singularities, warped spacetime, interstellar travel
• Activities: Scientific study, simulations, time dilation, space missions
• Mood: Mysterious, intriguing, mind-bending, unfathomable, extreme
• Examples:

“A spacecraft approaching a black hole to study its properties.”

“A fictional tale of a wormhole acting as a gateway to parallel universes.”

Cosmic Entities & Outer Space

• Types: Extraterrestrial life, cosmic deities, celestial beings, cosmic dread
• Settings: Otherworldly realms, uncharted space, alternate dimensions, mysterious planets
• Activities: First contact, cosmic horror, philosophical debate, alien civilizations
• Mood: Mysterious, awe-inspiring, fantastical, existential, transcendent
• Examples:

“An ancient alien civilization sending signals to Earth.”

“Cosmic gods ruling over the birth and death of stars.”

Cosmic Events

• Types: Supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, colliding galaxies, big bang
• Settings: Observatories, space telescopes, computer simulations, academic papers
• Activities: Observation, data analysis, theorization, publication
• Mood: Majestic, cataclysmic, transformative, enlightening, groundbreaking
• Examples:

“A supernova explosion, visible from Earth, creating new elements.”

“A cosmic collision between two neutron stars observed by astronomers.”

Cosmic Phenomena & Anomalies

• Types: Quasars, pulsars, cosmic microwave background, dark matter
• Settings: Space missions, laboratories, simulations, unknown territories
• Activities: Exploration, research, discovery, hypothesis testing
• Mood: Puzzling, mysterious, perplexing, unexplained, enigmatic
• Examples:

“A deep-space mission to study a strange cosmic anomaly affecting time.”

“Astronomers mapping the elusive dark matter in our galaxy.”

Galaxies

• Types: Spiral galaxies, elliptical galaxies, irregular galaxies, dwarf galaxies
• Settings: Cosmic voids, galactic clusters, Milky Way, interstellar space
• Activities: Mapping, imaging, exploration, study of galactic dynamics
• Mood: Immense, wondrous, complex, vast, interconnected
• Examples:

“The merging of two galaxies captured through a powerful telescope.”

“A detailed map of our own Milky Way Galaxy, showing the different arms and structures.”

Nebulae

• Types: Emission nebulae, reflection nebulae, planetary nebulae, dark nebulae
• Settings: Star-forming regions, dying stars, telescopic images, interstellar clouds
• Activities: Observation, astrophotography, spectroscopy, cosmic chemistry
• Mood: Awe-inspiring, colorful, ephemeral, mystical, intricate
• Examples:

“A swirling nebula, serving as the birthplace of new stars.”

“A dying star surrounded by a glowing planetary nebula.”

Solar Systems

• Types: Exoplanets, gas giants, rocky planets, asteroid belts, Oort cloud
• Settings: Orbits, planetary transits, habitable zones, alien landscapes
• Activities: Planet hunting, exploration missions, astrobiology, colonization
• Mood: Diverse, mysterious, hopeful, expansive, intricate
• Examples:

“A newly discovered exoplanet with potential for human colonization.”

“The complex dance of moons around a gas giant in a distant solar system.”

Space Exploration & Colonization

• Types: Space stations, colonies, terraforming, planetary bases
• Settings: Mars, Moon, asteroids, space habitats, foreign planets
• Activities: Settlement, adaptation, resource extraction, scientific research
• Mood: Futuristic, adventurous, challenging, ambitious, pioneering
• Examples:

“A self-sustaining colony on Mars, complete with agriculture and industries.”

“Humans interacting with native flora and fauna on an exoplanet.”

Space Exploration

• Types: Satellites, probes, rovers, space telescopes, manned missions
• Settings: Earth orbit, deep space, planetary surfaces, space agencies
• Activities: Data collection, imagery, discovery, research, engineering
• Mood: Inspiring, curious, historic, momentous, visionary
• Examples:

“The launch of a new space probe destined to photograph a distant exoplanet.”

“Astronauts conducting experiments aboard the International Space Station.”

Steampunk Space Exploration

• Types: Retro rockets, brass telescopes, Victorian spacesuits, cog-driven probes
• Settings: Alternate histories, steampunk universes, imaginative space adventures
• Activities: Spacefaring, invention, quirky science, storytelling
• Mood: Retro, imaginative, whimsical, nostalgic, inventive
• Examples:

“A Victorian-era scientist and her steam-powered spaceship exploring the Moon.”

“A steampunk rover landing on Mars, designed with gears and steam engines.”

Under the Sea

Bioluminescent Creatures

• Types: Firefly squid, lanternfish, anglerfish, comb jellies
• Settings: Abyssal plains, deep-sea trenches, ocean twilight zone
• Activities: Mating displays, camouflage, hunting, exploration
• Mood: Mystical, magical, wondrous, captivating, mysterious
• Examples:

“A diver encountering a group of bioluminescent jellyfish.”

“A scientist studying the patterns of light on a lanternfish.”

Coral Reefs

• Types: Barrier reefs, fringing reefs, atolls, coral gardens
• Settings: Shallow tropical waters, Indo-Pacific, Caribbean
• Activities: Snorkeling, conservation efforts, marine biology
• Mood: Vibrant, diverse, fragile, intricate, bustling
• Examples:

“A coral reef teeming with diverse fish and plant life.”

“Scientists planting coral to rehabilitate a dying reef.”

Deep-Sea Creatures

• Types: Giant squid, fangtooth, deep-sea anglerfish, viperfish
• Settings: Abyss, trenches, bathypelagic zone, hadalpelagic zone
• Activities: Deep-sea diving, exploration, scientific research
• Mood: Eerie, mysterious, alien, foreboding, otherworldly
• Examples:

“A remotely operated vehicle capturing the first images of a rare deep-sea creature.”

“Biologists dissecting an unusual specimen brought up from the depths.”

Kelp Forests

• Types: Bull kelp, giant kelp, feather boa kelp, bladder kelp
• Settings: Cold coastal waters, North Pacific, Southern Hemisphere
• Activities: Scuba diving, marine conservation, wildlife photography
• Mood: Peaceful, ancient, submerged, lush, serene
• Examples:

“A kelp forest serving as a sanctuary for diverse marine life.”

“Harvesting kelp sustainably for culinary and medical uses.”

Seahorses and Seadragons

• Types: Common seahorse, leafy seadragon, pygmy seahorse, weedy seadragon
• Settings: Coral reefs, seagrass beds, tidal pools, mangroves
• Activities: Courtship, camouflage, conservation, observation
• Mood: Delicate, elegant, whimsical, fragile, fascinating
• Examples:

“A male seahorse giving birth to its young.”

“Divers spotting the elusive leafy seadragon camouflaged among the seaweed.”

Shipwrecks

• Types: Sunken galleons, warships, cargo vessels, airplane wrecks
• Settings: Ocean floors, coastal shallows, historical sea routes
• Activities: Scuba diving, treasure hunting, underwater photography
• Mood: Mysterious, haunting, historical, adventurous, eerie
• Examples:

“A diver exploring the remains of a sunken pirate ship.”

“Archaeologists documenting artifacts from a recently-discovered shipwreck.”

Sunken Cities

• Types: Atlantis, Alexandria, Thonis-Heracleion, Yonaguni
• Settings: Ancient harbors, ocean floors, underwater cliffs
• Activities: Archaeological digs, sonar mapping, historical research
• Mood: Enigmatic, ancient, mythical, lost, haunting
• Examples:

“Researchers discovering structures of an ancient underwater city.”

“A fictional tale about the daily life in Atlantis before its sinking.”

Tropical Fish

• Types: Clownfish, angelfish, tangs, wrasses, lionfish
• Settings: Coral reefs, lagoons, tropical islands, aquariums
• Activities: Snorkeling, fish-keeping, marine conservation, photography
• Mood: Colorful, lively, vibrant, energetic, beautiful
• Examples:

“A clownfish darting in and out of its protective anemone.”

“A school of brightly colored tangs gracefully moving through the water.”

Underwater Archaeology

• Types: Shipwrecks, submerged cities, sunken temples, ancient harbors
• Settings: Seas, oceans, lakes, underwater excavation sites
• Activities: Exploration, excavation, mapping, dating
• Mood: Scholarly, curious, historical, adventurous, analytical
• Examples:

“Archaeologists uncovering ancient pottery from a sunken vessel.”

“Underwater drones mapping the site of a submerged prehistoric settlement.”

Underwater Caves

• Types: Limestone caves, lava tubes, blue holes, sinkholes
• Settings: Underwater cliffs, ocean floors, coastal areas
• Activities: Cave diving, exploration, cartography, research
• Mood: Dark, mysterious, dangerous, captivating, secluded
• Examples:

“A diver exploring an intricate underwater cave system.”

“Stalactites and stalagmites discovered in a submerged limestone cave.”

Underwater Research Stations

• Types: Aquarius Reef Base, Sealab, underwater labs
• Settings: Continental shelves, coral reefs, ocean depths
• Activities: Research, habitation, experiments, observation
• Mood: Futuristic, scientific, isolated, pioneering, educational
• Examples:

“Researchers living in an underwater station to study coral reefs.”

“A team conducting experiments on deep-sea fauna from an underwater lab.”

Underwater Volcanoes

• Types: Hydrothermal vents, black smokers, underwater calderas
• Settings: Ocean floors, tectonic plate boundaries, abyssal plains
• Activities: Geological study, biological research, deep-sea exploration
• Mood: Dynamic, explosive, transformative, perilous, elemental
• Examples:

“Marine biologists studying unique life forms around hydrothermal vents.”

“An underwater volcano erupting and creating a new island.”

Whale Sharks and Rays

• Types: Whale shark, manta ray, stingray, eagle ray
• Settings: Open ocean, coral reefs, plankton blooms
• Activities: Feeding, swimming, conservation, observation
• Mood: Majestic, gentle, awe-inspiring, elegant, peaceful
• Examples:

“Snorkelers swimming alongside a gentle whale shark.”

“A manta ray gracefully gliding through clear, blue waters.”

Underwater Scenes (see more below)

• Types: Coral reefs, deep-sea trenches, shipwrecks, submarine caves
• Settings: Scuba diving spots, underwater photography, marine reserves
• Activities: Diving, snorkeling, marine biology, underwater archaeology
• Mood: Mysterious, serene, otherworldly, colorful, silent
• Examples:

“A serene underwater ballet of fish swimming among coral gardens.”

“An exploration of a sunken pirate ship, filled with historical artifacts.”

In Conclusion

I trust this second volume of the Prompt Cookbook series has armed you with an array of ideas to elevate your prompts, especially in the realms of Nature & the Environment, Space and the Cosmos, and the Underwater World. All example images were generated on Midjourney 5.2, sticking to default settings to ensure that what you see here is directly replicable when you input these prompts into your own Midjourney prompt box. Grab some words, add special sauce and make it your own!

A big thank you for making it all the way through! If this guide has aided your creative exploration and you’re eager for more, feel free to give a clap (or multiple ones if you really liked it) and hit that follow button.