Using the same prompts in Midjourney & Dalle 2. Which one's better?

Introduction

In recent weeks, I've been experimenting with two popular AI image generation systems: Midjourney and Dalle 2. Both AI systems produce stunning images, and even if you only have access to one, you can still create beautiful sketches for your projects. Personally, I prefer Dalle 2 over Midjourney, primarily due to its easier art direction capabilities. However, I hadn't had the opportunity to compare the two side by side --- until now. This article serves as an exploratory experiment to determine how these two systems interpret natural language and generate images.

The Experiment

Before starting, it's important to note that Dalle and Midjourney operate on fundamentally different systems. Certain keywords may trigger specific actions in one but not the other. I will do my best to use similar prompts while adjusting slightly where necessary for fairness.

Prompt 1: Character Poses and Lighting

Starting with the first prompt, Dalle immediately impressed me with its character poses, mood, and lighting. The generated images were visually compelling, particularly images two and three. Although the fourth image didn't quite hit the mark, the overall attention to detail in Dalle's representations made the results outstanding.

On the contrary, Midjourney tended to lean more towards a 2D hand-drawn style, delivering somewhat static images, primarily due to the head-on angle. Even as of the latest update, Midjourney's images continued to show less adventurous angles and composition choices.

A marked improvement is evident in Midjourney's depiction of faces, where it formerly struggled. However, its comprehension of language remains a challenge. For instance, when instructed to depict "dark gray" in the background, the entire image reflected that tone, requiring modifications to the prompts for clarity.

Prompt 2: Illustrative Images

With a prompt known to work well with Dalle, I re-evaluated Midjourney's ability in this domain. Dalle's results largely mirrored previous attempts, with one illustration standing out due to its composition and color palette. However, Midjourney's output lacked adherence to the prompt, offering only one image with a lollipop, while others strayed entirely from the specified themes. The results were visually appealing but carried a darker undertone than expected.

Adjusting the prompt yielded minimal improvement, reaffirming Dalle's strength in delivering playful and whimsical outputs. Meanwhile, Midjourney consistently produced darker, moodier imagery, diverging from the cheerful expectations.

Prompt 3: Dark and Cinematic Themes

Exploring a theme fit for Midjourney's strengths, I created a prompt designed to elicit dark and cinematic images. Dalle delivered solid results once again, with dramatic lighting and effective framing. Contrastingly, Midjourney continued to struggle with hands — a recurring issue. Despite making extensive adjustments, the images still fell short of the central subject and did not successfully decode the prompt.

While Dalle provided usable content, Midjourney’s unpredictable nature regarding rendering key features presented challenges.

Prompt 4: Abstract and Surreal Imagery

I opted for a vague and surreal prompt, something Midjourney usually handles well. The results were, indeed, atmospheric with beautiful colors, though the magical element was somewhat limited to the sky. Dalle's images initially lacked uniqueness but, with minor adjustments, became far more compelling, showcasing imaginative architecture.

This particular round could be viewed as a tie, with Midjourney edging slightly ahead due to less need for modification in the original prompt.

Conclusion

Overall, my side-by-side comparisons affirmed my initial beliefs about the two platforms: Dalle is significantly more directable and reliable in interpreting user intent. Midjourney exhibits a fascinating randomness and creativity but struggles with clear text comprehension. This unpredictability could yield unique results, but for practical applications, Dalle's consistency proves to be more suitable.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on these outputs. Which do you prefer, Dalle or Midjourney? Share your preferences in the comments.

Keywords

Dalle 2, Midjourney, AI image generation, prompt comparison, artistic direction, moody images, surreal prompts, natural language comprehension, character poses, lighting.

FAQ

1. What are Dalle 2 and Midjourney? Dalle 2 and Midjourney are AI image generation systems that create images based on written prompts provided by users.

2. Which AI is better at understanding prompts? In the comparison outlined, Dalle 2 consistently demonstrated a better understanding of prompts than Midjourney, which struggled with language comprehension.

3. What are the strengths of Midjourney? Midjourney excels in producing atmospheric, dark, and moody imagery, making it suitable for more abstract and surreal concepts.

4. How do the two platforms differ in artistic direction? Dalle 2 offers more straightforward control and easier modification during the creative process, while Midjourney's outputs can be less predictable and more random.

5. Can I get good results with only one of the AI tools? Yes, both Dalle 2 and Midjourney are capable of generating impressive images, so having access to just one can still yield beautiful and functional results.