Style Reference (SREF) Colour Grading in Midjourney

WeirdWonderful AI Art
2 Mar 202404:38

TLDRThis video tutorial demonstrates how to achieve Hollywood-style color grading in your images using the AI tool Midjourney, without the need for manual color grading. The presenter explains a technique that involves using a style reference image to influence the color scheme of the generated images. By incorporating the 'sref' argument along with the reference image URL into the prompt, viewers can direct Midjourney to replicate the color grading of the reference image. The video provides examples of images with and without style references to illustrate the impact of this technique, and guides viewers on how to apply it to achieve desired visual outcomes.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 Use the Style Reference (SREF) technique in Midjourney to color grade images like Hollywood movies without manual color grading.
  • 🌐 Find and source images that you want to use as a reference for color grading and grab their URLs.
  • 📝 Create a prompt that includes the style reference argument followed by one or more URLs of the reference images.
  • 🖼️ The resulting images from Midjourney will have a color grade that resembles the reference image provided in the prompt.
  • 🔍 Compare images with and without the style reference to see the difference in color grading and overall look.
  • 💡 The style reference argument is a powerful tool to guide Midjourney's image generation process towards a specific aesthetic.
  • 👀 Notice how the color grading and style from the reference image are replicated in the generated images.
  • 📖 Write a clear and concise prompt, including the aspect ratio if necessary, to guide the image generation process.
  • 🔗 Use the 'sref' argument followed by '--sref' and then paste the URL of your reference image to apply the style reference.
  • 🚀 Midjourney quickly generates the result, applying the style and color grading from the provided reference image.
  • 👍 The video demonstrates a simple and effective method to achieve a desired look for images generated by Midjourney.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is how to apply color grading to images using a technique in mid-journey, which allows the images to have a similar color grade to a reference image without actually doing any color grading.

  • What is the purpose of using a reference image in mid-journey?

    -The purpose of using a reference image in mid-journey is to have the resulting images generated by mid-journey to have a similar color scheme and feel as the reference image.

  • How does the technique of using a style reference argument work?

    -The technique works by supplying the style reference argument (sref) with the URL of the reference image in the prompt. This allows mid-journey to use the color grading from the reference image and apply it to the generated images.

  • What is the difference between an image generated with a style reference and one without?

    -An image generated with a style reference will have a color grading that matches the reference image, while an image generated without a style reference will have its own color grading as determined by mid-journey.

  • How many URLs can you supply with the style reference argument?

    -You can supply one or more URLs with the style reference argument to influence the color grading of the generated images.

  • What is the format of the prompt when using the style reference argument?

    -The format of the prompt when using the style reference argument is to write your prompt, followed by the 'sref' tag and then paste the URL(s) of your reference image(s).

  • What is the advantage of using the style reference technique?

    -The advantage of using the style reference technique is that it allows users to achieve a desired color grade in their images without having to manually perform color grading, making the process more efficient and accessible.

  • How does the color grading from the reference image influence the final image?

    -The color grading from the reference image is used as a guide by mid-journey to replicate the same color scheme and grading in the final generated image.

  • Can you use this technique for any type of image?

    -The technique can be used for any type of image as long as you have a reference image with the desired color grading that you want to replicate.

  • Is there a limit to how many reference images you can use for color grading?

    -While the video demonstrates using a single reference image, theoretically, you could use multiple reference images to influence the color grading, although the effectiveness and outcome would depend on how mid-journey interprets and combines these references.

  • What should you consider when choosing a reference image for color grading?

    -When choosing a reference image for color grading, you should consider the color scheme, the mood, and the overall look you want to achieve in your final image, as these aspects will be reflected in the generated images.

  • How does the style reference technique differ from traditional color grading methods?

    -The style reference technique differs from traditional color grading methods in that it uses an AI's ability to learn and replicate the color grading from a provided reference image, eliminating the need for manual color adjustments by the user.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Color Grading with Mid Journey

This video tutorial introduces a technique to achieve Hollywood-style color grading on images using Mid Journey, an AR channel tool. The host demonstrates how to apply a reference image's color grade to new images generated by Mid Journey, without the need for manual color grading. The process involves sourcing reference images, obtaining their URLs, and creating prompts that include a style reference argument with the URLs. The video provides examples of images created with and without the style reference to illustrate the difference in color grading. The host guides viewers through the steps of writing a prompt and using the 'sref' argument to supply the reference image URL, resulting in images that replicate the color scheme and grading of the reference.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Color Grading

Color grading is the process of altering and enhancing the color of a motion picture, video, or still image. In the context of the video, color grading refers to the technique of applying a specific color scheme or look to images created by an AI, such as Midjourney, to make them resemble the style of a reference image or Hollywood movie. The script mentions color grading to demonstrate how to achieve a certain visual aesthetic in the generated images.

💡Hollywood Movie

A Hollywood movie typically refers to a film produced in or associated with Hollywood, California, known for its high production values and distinctive visual styles. In the video, the term is used to illustrate the aspirational quality of the color grading technique, aiming to give AI-generated images a polished and cinematic look.

💡Midjourney

Midjourney is likely a reference to an AI tool or platform that generates images based on textual prompts. The script discusses a specific technique within Midjourney that allows users to apply color grading from a reference image to the images it creates, showcasing its capabilities in replicating visual styles.

💡Reference Image

A reference image is a sample or example image used to guide the creation of new content, ensuring consistency or achieving a desired look. The video explains how to use a reference image to inform the color grading of images generated by Midjourney, with the AI adopting the color scheme and style of the reference.

💡URL

A URL, or Uniform Resource Locator, is a web address used to locate and access web resources. In the script, the presenter instructs viewers to obtain the URL of a reference image from the internet, which is then used in the Midjourney process to guide the color grading of the generated images.

💡Prompt

In the context of AI image generation, a prompt is a textual description or command that guides the AI in creating an image. The video script describes how to construct a prompt for Midjourney that includes a style reference argument to direct the AI to use a specific color grading from a reference image.

💡Style Reference Argument

The style reference argument, denoted as 'sref' in the script, is a specific instruction used in the prompt for Midjourney. It tells the AI to take into account the color grading and style of a provided reference image when generating new images, ensuring they have a similar visual aesthetic.

💡Aspect Ratio

The aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image or screen, expressed by two numbers. Although the script mentions aspect ratio, it notes that it's not always necessary to include it in the prompt for Midjourney, suggesting flexibility in how images are generated.

💡Screenshot

A screenshot is an image captured by a device to record the content displayed on the screen at a particular moment. The video uses screenshots as examples of the reference images and the resulting images after applying the color grading technique in Midjourney, demonstrating the before-and-after effect.

💡Replicate

To replicate means to make a copy or reproduce something. In the video, the term is used to describe how Midjourney can replicate the color grading and style from a reference image when generating new images, providing a consistent visual outcome.

Highlights

Introduction to a technique for color grading images in Midjourney without traditional color grading methods.

The method uses a reference image to influence the color grading of generated images.

Examples of images created using the color grading technique are shown.

Explanation of how to find and source images for color grading in Midjourney.

The necessity of obtaining the URL of the reference image from a website.

Creating a prompt that includes a style reference argument with the reference image URL.

Demonstration of how the color grading from the reference image is applied to the generated image.

Comparison between an image with and without the style reference applied.

The difference in color grading is evident when the style reference is used.

Instructions on writing a prompt and using the 'sref' argument with the reference image URL.

An example of creating a prompt with a style reference to influence Midjourney's image generation.

The process of Midjourney generating an image with the style reference applied.

The importance of the prompt's role in Midjourney's image generation process.

Observation that Midjourney replicates the color scheme and grading from the supplied style reference.

A simple summary of the technique: writing a prompt, using the 'sref' tag, and supplying the reference image URL.

Encouragement for viewers to try the technique and provide feedback through likes and comments.

A call to action for new subscribers to subscribe to the channel for more content.