Book Review • by Chad Lauffer
The following is a copy-paste from Chad’s review of my book, that Chad shared on LinkedIn.
Hey everyone! I’m currently working my way through Brian Sykes‘ new book titled “Midjourney: Back to Basics • Beginner’s Guide,” and I wanted to share my thoughts. Brian has been a significant influence on my generative AI journey, and his commitment to educating the GenAI community is truly commendable.
First, I have to mention what a standup guy Brian is! When I was stumbling through the early stages of my AI-generated imagery experiments, his posts were invaluable. He’s not just an educator; he’s a huge cheerleader, encouraging us to explore and push our boundaries.
Now, onto his newest book: the cover immediately caught my eye with its shady van parked in an alley. Kidding aside, I always learn so much from these beginner’s guides. Right away, Brian dives into text and image prompting—two fundamental ways of generating images. Crafting precise prompts is essential for creating imagery that not only meets your objectives but also conveys the desired emotion and vibe.
The book provides clear instructions on using Midjourney, both on Discord and the Alpha website, along with helpful image examples. You’re also introduced to advanced prompting techniques with parameters, which are crucial for achieving precise results. Brian discusses “Learning to See” and “Learning to Describe,” both of which are important for creating images that fit your vision. He outlines 12 essential prompt elements that I found personally useful.
In summary, this book is a wealth of information about Midjourney and will help you get started on your journey. Even those who have been using Midjourney consistently will find valuable tips. I highly recommend checking it out and thank Brian for allowing me the chance to review it!
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My thoughts…
Thanks Chad Lauffer! What a detailed and fantastic break-down of what you can expect to find inside.
You are right… the shady van is a little sus (as my teens would say) especially as a photo taped onto a sheet of school notebook paper! But there is a purpose behind the madness. Everyone seems to push AI for the most realistic yet beautiful concoctions – but I wanted to take it in a different direction… intentional reality that is less idealized. A ‘maybe‘ broken down van, on the rough side of town with liter on the ground. Not because it is ad-quality and idealized, but because it feels here and present. It feels real.
Thanks for honoring me with your time Chad in reviewing my book, and thanks extra for being so kind above and beyond the fray. Appreciated my friend.
Book • $35
‘Midjourney : Back to Basics • Beginner’s Guide’
Who’s Chad Lauffer?
Art Director • Graphic Designer • AI Prompt Engineer • Creator
Chad Lauffer Inc., is a forward-thinking design firm offering creative direction, art direction, graphic design and generative AI. Chad is based in Atlanta, GA.
Follow Chad on LinkedIn.
