Documentary Film Style MidJourney SREF Codes and Prompts
--sref 2010171125

Photography

Film

Vintage

Version: v 7
SV: 6
sref code and prompt case 1 --sref 2010171125
sref code and prompt case 2 --sref 2010171125
sref code and prompt case 3 --sref 2010171125
sref code and prompt case 4 --sref 2010171125

To highlight the unique advantages and features of the style, we have carefully crafted custom prompts for each sref. By using these prompts, you can perfectly replicate the sref's effects.

Style Type & Style Characteristics

This SREF style presents a hybrid aesthetic of documentary photography and cinematic narrative, blending the authentic texture of news photography with the visual language of independent films. It evokes the atmospheric cinematography of Wong Kar-wai's films and the delicate capture of everyday moments found in Tsai Ming-liang's works.

The most striking characteristic of this style is its intense sense of presence and subjective perspective. The image appears to view the world through the subject's eyes, with a strong first-person immersive feel. Color processing maintains the authenticity of natural light and shadow, while undergoing subtle color grading to create an atmosphere between documentary and artistic photography. The lighting leans towards warm tones and natural light sources, presenting a sense of lived warmth.

Image composition often employs unconventional angles and close-up framing, breaking traditional photographic symmetry and balance. Instead, this "imperfection" transmits genuine emotional tension. The style is impressive because it successfully combines documentary aesthetics with emotional narrative, preserving life's raw essence while imbuing the image with strong storytelling and artistic expressiveness.

Recommended Application Scenarios

This style is particularly suitable for:

  • Independent film posters and film stills: Perfectly presenting the narrative texture of niche art films
  • Documentary photography projects: Ideal for expressing humanistic concerns and social issues
  • Travel logs and Vlog visual design: Creating an immersive travel experience
  • Lifestyle brand visuals: Conveying an authentic, unaffected brand tone
  • Music album covers: Especially suitable for independent musicians and folk-style works
  • Documentary promotional materials: Enhancing the emotional impact of true stories
  • Social media narrative content: Building a personal brand image with emotional resonance

Recommended Prompts

  • first-person perspective: This keyword strengthens the immersive subjective view, creating a "I'm right there" experience that enhances the image's emotional connection and narrative authenticity
  • natural lighting, golden hour: Using natural light and golden hour illumination can significantly enhance the warm texture and cinematic atmosphere, emanating a nostalgic and sincere emotional tone
  • candid moment, street photography: Adding candid moments and street photography elements can reinforce the documentary nature and life atmosphere, creating an artistic effect of accidentally capturing genuine emotions
  • cinematic composition, film grain: Introducing cinematic composition and film grain can elevate the overall artistic quality, providing more aesthetic depth and visual layers while maintaining the documentary style

More Prompt Tips & Tricks


You can explore further by combining the following prompt command for MidJourney:

  • --sv: There are six versions of the Style Reference feature in Midjourney version 7 when using images. Use the --sv parameter to choose between them. --sv 6 is default. --sv 4 is the old V7 sref model (prior to June 16, 2025). Using --sv 6 and --sv 4 may produce different style results.
  • --s: Default value is 100, can be set from 0 to 1000. The higher the value, the more detailed the image, and the closer the style may be to reality.
  • -niji 6: Using this command will give the image a more anime style.
  • --sw: Default value is 100, can be input from 0 to 1000. A higher value makes the style closer to the original.
  • You can now blend multiple --sref codes together (for example --sref 123 456 )
  • You can weigh individual codes or urls as follows --sref 123::2
  • You can also read more guides on How to use SREF Code

More Prompts With Sref

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Exclusive Prompt with Sref Code Combinations

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Example of an image generated in MidJourney
Example of an image generated in MidJourney
Example of an image generated in MidJourney
Example of an image generated in MidJourney

--sref ********** **********

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