PromptDervish 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:

“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:

“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:

“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.

Full disclosure lists of word ideas generated by AI and edited/curated by me.