Visual DNA

• High, crystal‑clear daylight with almost no deep shadows or drama

• Strict color triad: turquoise water and glass, white walls and sand, red roofs, cushions and flowers as accents

• Minimal visual clutter – scenes are rich in detail but everything is neatly arranged and clearly separated

• Strong geometry: balconies, railings, pool edges and wave lines leading the eye deep into the frame

• Slightly rendered realism – the world feels like a glossy mix of travel photography and architectural visualization

Works because

This is the visual language of ideal holidays: no mess, no trash, just a perfectly organised version of life by the sea.

The blue–white–red palette makes even complex scenes instantly readable and strongly associated with freedom, energy and a touch of luxury.

One image can carry a whole story about lifestyle design, remote work or upgrading your everyday environment without needing a long explanation.

Use for

Use Azure Holiday Minimalism when you write about freedom, remote work, lifestyle design, travel, money as a tool (not a god), and any story about moving closer to water and sky.

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visual DNA

• Limited palette of warm greys, sand, and soft browns – everything feels like one long breath

• Oil‑painting texture: visible brushstrokes, smudged edges, shapes dissolving into mist

• Tiny human figures, boats or paths inside huge, empty landscapes

• Horizons and backgrounds fade into light; details live only in the foreground

• Paths, planks, stepping stones and shorelines gently pull the eye inward instead of shouting for attention

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works because

Your brain relaxes when it doesn’t have to process a thousand details at once. This style removes noise: few colors, few shapes, lots of air. The tiny human scale against all that softness makes every scene feel like a pause between chapters – perfect for essays where you want the reader to breathe, reflect or let something land slowly.
Because it looks like traditional painting, not “AI art”, it carries more trust and feels timeless on the page.

use for

Use this style when you’re writing about rest, recovery, slow growth, walks, healing, saying no, or choosing the quieter option.

It works beautifully for reflective newsletters, intros to long essays, end‑of‑week recaps, and any Substack Notes where you want to signal: this is not urgency, this is space.

visual style code

[your prompt] --ar 4:5 --raw --sref 1648768891

or try it with my prompts:

misty minimalist landscape painted in warm greys and soft beige, tiny lone figure walking along a pale path that disappears into the light, oil paint texture, soft brushstrokes, no hard lines, calm and introspective mood --ar 4:5 --raw --sref 1648768891 --v 8.1

quiet lakeside scene in fog, small wooden boat with a single person, distant shoreline and trees melting into mist, warm neutral palette, painterly texture, reflections blurred on the water, serene and timeless --ar 4:5 --raw --sref 1648768891 --v 8.1

narrow wooden boardwalk leading through tall dry grasses into dense fog, no visible horizon, soft warm greys and browns, oil painting look, gentle contrast, inviting but slightly mysterious atmosphere --ar 4:5 --raw --sref 1648768891 --v 8.1

Made it with Midjourney.
Your prompt and the parameters above will do the trick.

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If you like any of my artworks enough to want to hang it on your wall or use it for some other personal purpose, you can order it here ↓

Artwork For You

Visual DNA

• Almost monochrome: deep blacks and cold greys, with one fierce accent – ember red

• Light scrapes across surfaces instead of filling the scene – edges glow, faces and rocks are carved out of darkness

• Subjects are small against something much bigger: cliffs, storms, crowds, a city splitting the sky

• Motion is frozen at the edge: a wave about to crash, a march mid‑slope, smoke still rising

• The red accent marks impact points – scars in the landscape, streaks on fur, veins in an eye, flowers on black water

  
  

Works because

The eye hunts for warmth.
In a world of black and blue‑grey, every red mark feels like danger, memory, or a signal you can’t ignore.
You get the scale and calm of a landscape image, but the color behaves like a siren – pulling attention exactly where you want it and making the scene feel charged, not postcard‑pretty.
Because the figures are small or half‑hidden, the viewer automatically projects their own story into the frame, instead of being told what to think.

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What this style feels like

• Quiet, cinematic suspense rather than horror

• The moment before or after something important happens

• Loneliness that is beautiful, not pathetic

• A dream you almost remember, anchored in reality

How to think in this style

• Imagine there is only one light in the whole world – everything must make sense from it

• Let one shape or figure carry the whole frame, the rest falls into shadow

• Ask: what is unsaid in this scene? then show only that unsaid tension

• Treat the image like a film still, not an illustration – we drop in mid‑story, never at the climax

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How to use it

When you want a visual to feel intentional, dramatic and instantly recognizable as yours: introspective projects, moody brands, stories about night, memory, distance, inner conflict.

[your prompt here] --ar 4:5 --exp 50 --raw --sref 1061351848 1008307938 --v 8.1

Made it with Midjourney.
Your prompt and the parameters above will do the trick.

Try it with my prompts

cinematic night portrait of a lone figure surrounded by darkness, single warm orange light carving out the silhouette, deep midnight blue background, minimal composition, hard shadows, high contrast --ar 4:5 --exp 50 --raw --sref 1061351848 1008307938 --v 8.1

wide cinematic night scene with a simple everyday object caught in a narrow cone of warm orange light, everything else fading into deep midnight blue, strong contrast, lots of negative space --ar 4:5 --exp 50 --raw --sref 1061351848 1008307938 --v 8.1

But the visuals I created for her don't illustrate science in a literal way.
They are atmospheric, layered, and artistic.
They create depth.
And that depth gives her publication a distinct character.

That’s the point of a visual style.
It doesn’t have to explain the topic.
It has to shape the experience of reading it.

A strong visual identity tells people what kind of world they are entering before they read a single word. And that makes a publication feel more memorable, more intentional, and more like its own.

What’s important about this whole process is that Arielle herself didn’t initially know what she wanted her visual identity to look like here on the platform. However, after preparing some initial proposals and going through a few rounds of feedback, it became clear fairly quickly.

Although Arielle hasn’t used many of the visuals we’ve worked on together yet, she’s already visually prepared for the coming weeks (if not months) on Substack.

Just by looking at her Notes, it’s clear that the ones with visuals are the ones that get the most attention. It’s only going to get better from here.

If you want, I can help you build that kind of visual language for your newsletter.

Create my visual style

Link above is for 50% off working with me — available through the end of Sunday.

They subscribe to a feeling.
That this is their place.
That you’re their kind of author.
That they’ll return.

And before anyone reads a single line, before they even understand what your newsletter is about, they make a first decision with their eyes — in seconds. That decision is shaped by how your Substack looks: consistency, character, rhythm, typography, visual recognition.

That’s what your visual style does for you.

It gives you three advantages at once:

- clearer recognition (your posts start to feel instantly you)
- faster trust (your Substack looks intentional, not random)
- quicker decisions (less uncertainty, more clicking and subscribing)

Important: your visual style doesn’t need to be trendy.

It needs to be consistent and sustainable — something you can keep using every week without rebuilding everything from scratch.

Because here’s the uncomfortable part:
you can write brilliantly,
but if each post visually feels like it came from a different universe,
some readers won’t connect with your vibe.
They won’t feel that aha — this is my place moment.
And they’ll quietly leave.

Why one strong visual works

I’ll show you what’s possible with the right image.

One of my posts helped bring 190 new subscribers even though it didn’t have any genuinely valuable content — it was mostly driven by the title.

Which means the visual signal mattered.

Now imagine what happens when your words come with that same level of visual context: a consistent style that helps readers immediately recognize you, understand your vibe faster, and feel confident clicking subscribe.

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The 1:1 offer

For this round, I’m taking on a focused 1:1 collaboration where we build a cohesive visual style for your Substack and translate it into usable graphics for your publishing flow.

This isn’t a 360° brand project. We’re working at the level that matters most inside Substack: the visuals your readers actually see while browsing and deciding.

What you get

- 1:1 collaboration

- 2-4 weeks of work

- a cohesive visual style system

- at least 30 graphics in your visual style — enough for a consistent monthly rhythm to Notes and Posts

Pricing

- $395 (this price is valid for one week - until Sunday)

- after that: $790 (regular price)

- I’m keeping the cap at 8 people so I can stay hands-on

This 1:1 collaboration is paid as a monthly subscription to Substack

If you want to lock in this $395, 1:1 work with me, use the link below to subscribe at this special rate:

Developing my visual style

See you on the other side,
Pawel

Every sentence has to be important, every image outstanding.
With that kind of weight, it’s easy to publish nothing for weeks.
When you think about creating as a conversation, the centre of gravity shifts from you to the other person – to what you want to make easier, name, or clarify for them.

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On Substack, this conversation has actual faces: people who really clicked subscribe, let you into their inbox, and gave you a few minutes of their week.
It’s no longer anonymous to everyone, it’s a very direct to someone.
Your sketches, screenshots, uncertain ideas take on a different meaning here.
Instead of asking is this good enough for an article?, you can ask will this help my subscribers take one small step forward this week?.

A conversation starts with listening.

Your best topics are often already in your inbox: in replies to your newsletter, in DMs, in short messages like hey, do you have anything on…?. Instead of inventing from thin air, you can build your issues as answers to specific questions. One well-framed question can become a whole essay, a series of posts, or a sequence of emails you can later send new readers back to.In a conversation you don’t have to be brilliant – you just have to be present.

A good conversationalist doesn’t recite a whole bibliography from memory.
They know how to ask follow-up questions, admit I don’t know that yet, and come back to the topic next week. A newsletter works the same way: you can return to the same themes, go deeper, try new angles. From the reader’s perspective, this isn’t repetition, it’s an evolving relationship where they can watch your thinking mature in real time.

Interestingly, conversation heals the fear of being judged.
When you write to the internet, every like feels like a verdict and silence feels like failure. When you write to a specific list of people, it’s easier to notice a different set of metrics: did anyone reply?, did anyone forward this to a friend?, did anyone come back for more?.

Over time, you’re not just building an archive of content, but a place people return to – like a conversation they want to keep having.

In the end, this conversation needs one simple gesture from you – an invitation. If this issue clarified something for you, hit reply and tell me in one sentence what question, project, or problem in your creative work you’re currently wrestling with.

The next issues will grow out of those replies – they’ll be more yours than mine.

The Invisible Problem Most Good Writers Have

The best writers on Substack don’t lose attention because their ideas are weak.
They lose it because the container for those ideas looks like everyone else’s.

Same default covers or generic images from ChatGPT.
In the feed, every post becomes a beige rectangle with black text.

When everything looks interchangeable, the brain treats it as noise.
Even brilliant essays drown in the scroll.

Text Is Not Enough (On a Visual Platform)

Substack is not just a blog.
It is a visual medium with a very opinionated frame:

• Covers, notes and recommendation tiles fight for attention in seconds.

• People decide what to open before they read a single word.

If your work arrives in a generic container, readers subconsciously assume it is a generic idea. You wrote a manifesto. The interface turned it into a memo.

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Why Visual Systems Beat One‑Off Graphics

Random pretty images are cheap.
What moves the needle is a system:

• one visual grammar (color, texture, composition)

• repeated across covers, notes, social previews and lead magnets

• so often that readers recognize you from a single tile

Consistency is not an aesthetic obsession.
It is a cognitive shortcut: I know this voice. I can trust opening this.

The Three Jobs Your Visuals Must Do

For writers, visuals on Substack have three non‑negotiable jobs:

1. Stop the scroll.
   High contrast, clear focal point, intentional use of emptiness.

2. Signal the voice.
   Your imagery should tell us if you’re analytical, poetic, brutalist, or surreal before we read the header.

3. Carry the story forward.
   The image should add a layer of meaning, not simply restate the title with a cliché metaphor.

If your visuals are not doing one of these, they are decoration, not design.

A Simple Framework to Design Your Own Visual Language

You don’t need seventeen years in design to start building a better visual system.
You need a clear framework.

Here's the framework I come back to, every single time:

1. Emotion first.
   Name the feeling each newsletter should evoke: disquiet, clarity, outrage, awe.

2. Shape that emotion.
   Decide on texture, density, and light that match it:
   dense jungle vs. open coastline, hard lines vs. soft gradients.

3. Repeat with small variations.
   Keep the core grammar the same (palette, type, composition) and only change the “scene”.

Do this for six to eight issues in a row and you’ll already have a recognizable language.

Where Surreal Flora Fits Into All This

The Surreal Flora series is one example of such a system.
It blends:

• natural forms (trees, water, coastlines)

• abstract, almost geological textures

• and subtle, photographic realism

The result is a world that feels familiar and impossible at the same time.
Writers use it when their essays live in that same space: between logic and dream, data and intuition.

You don’t need this exact style.
You need a style that is as specific to your writing as Surreal Flora is to its own universe.

I started doing this because I kept seeing brilliant writers get ignored — not because of what they wrote, but because of how it looked.

What I actually do, looks like this:

• Visual identity design – a custom language for your publication (not a template pack).

• Monthly asset sets – a library of ready‑to‑use covers and note visuals that already speak that language.

• Review and refinement – looking at what readers clicked, ignored, and remembered, then adjusting the system.

Writers keep doing what they do best: thinking and writing.
I build and maintain the world those thoughts live in.

How to Start (With or Without Me)

If you want to upgrade your visual presence today, you have two paths:

1. DIY, with intention.

   • Audit your last ten posts.

   • Remove everything that looks like a default template.

   • Choose one color palette, one type pairing, and one visual metaphor.

   • Stick to them for the next month.

2. Done‑for‑you, with a partner.

   • Share your best essays and the feeling you want readers to leave with.

   • I translate that into a visual system and deliver finished assets every month.

Either way, don’t leave the look of your work to chance.
Your ideas deserve a container that is as considered as the writing itself.

Most writers will out‑think their competition.
Very few will out‑design them.

On a platform where everything starts with a tile in a feed, that second part quietly decides who gets read.

Your words are already doing the heavy lifting. Don't let a beige rectangle be the last thing readers see before they scroll past.

The newsletter is evolving and that’s by design. I’m focusing more and more on Substack and the creators who are building their online presence here. That’s why I’m changing the name to All About Your Visuals because that’s exactly what we’ll be talking about. About visuals, photos, graphics, art, ai. About creativity and the creative process. About what makes something eye-catching and why it matters.

But mostly about you!

My name is Pawel, and I’ve been working in graphic design for 18 years. For most of that time, I’ve worked for clients, agencies, and printing companies. Now I do it for Substack creators, digitally.

But I want to be honest with you about one thing.
I’m not here to show off my work or admire my own taste.
I’m here to help you.

If you write a newsletter and feel like you’re losing your way visually, that your visuals aren’t conveying what you want to say, or that your site looks like every other one. Then I’m here for you. I create images that attract new subscribers and build your visual identity. Not stock photos. Not generic. Digital fine art, crafted with care, using AI as a tool, not a substitute for thought.

You write. I make sure it looks the way it deserves to.

All posts here are free. Always.
The only thing you pay for is 1:1 work, when you want me to handle your visual side personally. No forms, no funnels. Just a conversation and real work.

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Stay if you want. Things are about to get exciting.

Pawel

See you on the other side ✌️

Sometimes it’s the opposite: a single lonely path, two trees at most, not a sound to be heard, but a huge sign reading newsletter on creativity. The problem isn’t that there’s not enough branding, but that you can’t see the person who lives here

Your visual style on doesn’t start with a template, fonts, and colors—it starts with the answer to one simple question: how do you want people to feel here?

Just as I first had a dream of the jungle in the Amazon, and only then came the tickets, vaccinations, and rubber boots—here, too, emotion comes first, and layout second. Do you want the reader to feel calm after a day full of stimuli, or rather to have their creative muscles taut like a zip line thirty meters above the ground?

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Once you get that, every visual—a cover, a photo, a video frame—becomes a small yes to that emotion.

A style that works for you isn’t a collection of the prettiest shots, but a system of consistent choices. In the Amazon, I didn’t take thousands of photos—a single memory card forced me to be mindful: I chose only what was truly worth remembering.

You can do exactly the same with your Substack: treat limitations as a filter. Choose two or three types of shots, a few recurring themes, maybe one distinctive framing style, and start sticking to them. Thanks to this, after just a few posts, readers will recognize you before they’ve even read a single word.

And even though the photos in this article are my AI-generated images (I’ll show you the real ones from the Amazon someday), as I’ve been preparing new visuals and posting them here, I’ve settled on one high-contrast style: Blue & Orange. It’s become something of a signature look for me here, even though I still have a small following (over 700 subscribers).

Substack is just a river you’re sailing down.

Sometimes it’s wide, sometimes narrow.
Sometimes the water is calm, sometimes it carries branches and mud.
But you’re still the one who decides what your boat looks like.

You can repaint it every day, stick on new stickers, or you can do something much simpler. Create a visual rhythm that, even before you click on the title, says:

This is my place on the internet.
Here, we take our time.
Here, we see things differently.

If every one of your posts looks different, it’s like a jungle without paths: beautiful, but you can easily get lost. Visual style is that path—I guide creators who want to finally blaze that trail.

If you’re ready, I have an offer you can’t refuse that’s valid until the end of the week (Sunday).

Click for details.

All the best
Pawel

I posted one image in Substack Notes.

And for the next 20 days, I watched my subscriber count grow — slowly, steadily.
Like a drip that never stops.

117 new people. And the number is still climbing.

Images on Substack are not decoration.

Most creators treat visuals like wallpaper — something you throw in so the post doesn’t look empty. Background noise. An afterthought.

But Substack is a platform built on words.
And that’s exactly why an image here works differently than anywhere else.

When everyone is writing — one image stops the scroll.

Notes is a feed. People scroll. Text blends into text.
And then suddenly — a visual.
Something different. The brain reacts. It pauses.

And if that image says something specific — if it carries a thought that hits, provokes, or simply rings true — people click your profile. They read. They subscribe.

Not because the image was beautiful.

Because it was precise.

What made that one image work?

It wasn’t a Canva project I spent an hour on. It was one idea — dressed in a simple, clean visual. No decorations. No stock photos of smiling people in suits.

Just a thought. Well framed.

And that’s exactly what most creators don’t understand: a Substack image doesn’t need to be pretty. It needs to be accurate.

It needs to land on something the reader already feels but hasn’t been able to name yet.

Why does this matter for you?

If you’re building a newsletter — you already have a tool you’re probably not using to its full potential.

Notes + good images = organic reach that works for you.

No algorithm hacks. No dancing on camera.

Just content that resonates.

I’m launching two offers.
For 7 days only, at prices I won’t repeat.

That one image brought me 117 subscribers in 20 days.

Now I want to help you do the same — with your newsletter, your style, your story.

I’ve been a graphic designer for nearly 20 years. Throughout that journey, I carried a camera everywhere — shooting obsessively, training my eye for composition, light, and mood. Today I combine that experience with AI tools. This isn’t accidental aesthetics. It’s years of trained eye — now, accelerated by technology.

① Monthly 1:1 visual identity work

$197 / month — for 7 days only, then $897

This is direct, personal work with me — on Substack chat, Monday through Friday. You don’t get a template and a how-to guide. You get me — available, responsive, building your visual style alongside you.

Here’s how the month looks:

Week 1 — We build your visual identity from scratch. Colors, aesthetics and mood. Something that’s recognisably yours. We talk, we refine, until it feels exactly right.

Weeks 2 & 3 — I deliver 20 ready-to-post images for your Notes in 1:1 or 4:5 format — ready to publish immediately, no additional editing needed. You post. You watch.

Week 4 — We review the results together. We talk about what worked and what to do next — if you want to continue.

One month. One cohesive style. Twenty images.
Me — available to you almost every day.

I want to work one-on-one

② Single image — for those who love what they see

$25 — for 7 days only, then $50

Not ready for a full collaboration, but one of my images stopped you mid-scroll?
You can buy it — in high resolution, ready to print or use in your digital space.

Buy my selected artwork for 25$

These prices disappear in 7 days.

No fake countdown. Just — this is what it costs right now, because I’m just starting with paid and I want the first clients to get real value out of it. After that, prices go back to normal.

If you have questions — reply to this email. I read everything personally.

All the best,
I hope to hear from you soon,
Pawel Bogucki

FAQ

Is this offer for me if I’m just starting out on Substack?

This offer is for creators who already have a newsletter on Substack and want to accelerate their subscriber growth. If you don’t have a newsletter yet — reach out directly and we’ll talk separately.

How does the collaboration actually work?

We work directly on Substack chat, Monday through Friday. I’m available, I respond regularly, and at every stage you know exactly what’s happening and what comes next.

What format will the images be in?

I deliver images in 1:1 or 4:5 format — your choice, depending on what works best for your publishing style. Ready to drop into Notes immediately, no additional editing needed.

How do I pay for the subscription?

Payment for the monthly collaboration goes through Substack — secure, straightforward. Single images are purchased via a separate payment link included in the message.

What if I don’t like the direction after the first week?

We’ll keep refining your style until you’re completely satisfied. I care about the collaboration making sense for both of us — not about keeping your money for something that isn’t working.

How many images do I get during the month?

20 images — delivered during weeks 2 and 3, after we’ve established your visual identity in week 1.

Hi,

I know that many of you write on Substack with the same fascination I once felt when looking at a map of the Amazon. You have something important to say, you’re building your own space, you’re creating… but sometimes you feel like your words get lost in the flood of content, right?

Lately, I’ve spent a lot of time looking at various newsletters. And you know what struck me? That the best creators—the ones I enjoy reading—have more than just good writing. They have their own recognizable visual style. Colors that match their voice. Graphics that catch your eye before you even read the first sentence.

And this is exactly where I’d like to help you.

If you feel like your newsletter could look better—more professional, more “you”—but you don’t have the time, the inclination, or simply don’t know where to start… I can do it for you. I create custom visuals that work in harmony with your content, not against it. Colors that draw you in. Styles that stick in your memory.

I don’t want to force anything on you here. I just know what it’s like to have great content but feel like no one is seeing it. And I know how to change that.

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And if you feel like this might be something for you… I’ve prepared something special. I’ll share the details with you after the weekend. (Phew, I can’t wait to tell you all about it!)

Until then—keep writing great stuff. And if you want to chat about what that might look like—you know where to find me.

These are my colors.
What are yours?

Warm regards,
Pawel

P.S. If you know someone who’s struggling with their newsletter and dreams of a better look—forward this email to them. It would be great to help more than one person :-)

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Your brain runs it through filters: childhood, insecurity, social class, and the persona you’re trying to be. That’s why one person gets chills and another is bored to death by the exact same piece.

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Studies suggest that with abstract art, like 75% of what you call taste is pure private wiring, not some universal beauty scale.

And that’s the whole point: art should hit you on your terms – if it moves you or pisses you off, both are valid as hell, because at least you’re being real with yourself.

I transferred it to Nano Banana Pro, added context and flavor.
Only then did I see what I had really created.

Thinking is planning.
Creating is discovering.
The difference is like looking at a map and entering the jungle.

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Midjourney style reference blend, if you want.
--sref 1115996303 223189329 2621262482 2929853842
Be careful, it's really interesting if you like this kind of aesthetic 🤘

Regards,
Pawel

Why?

Because it’s a reminder of the old days, a part of my childhood and adolescence, a piece of culture.

If you want detailed instructions on how to make such a video, comment “fun” and I’ll send them to you (after the weekend).

Have fun!

But most people look at this and think “nice picture” without asking why it works.

Three things:

Shallow depth of field
The kid and cookies are sharp. Everything behind? Soft blur. Your eye knows exactly where to look. In Midjourney, I get this by adding “soft natural light, shallow depth of field” to the prompt.

Natural light, warm colors
Window light from the side. No flash. Just that soft, film-like glow that feels real. The palette - whites, wood, copper - is Scandinavian minimalism done right. Warm without being tacky. Slightly modified by an additional reference style, but more on that in a moment.

This makes the storyboard
The messy hair bun. Flour everywhere. That gingerbread house. Nobody posed this. It’s a moment, not a photoshoot. That’s the difference between an image people scroll past and one they actually feel something about.

The prompt:

A toddler decorating gingerbread cookies at a rustic white table in a Scandinavian kitchen, soft window light, shallow depth of field, warm nostalgic tones --ar 3:4 --sref 8283979423 --style raw

Notice the --sref parameter? That’s your secret weapon for style consistency. It’s what turns random AI chaos into a signature look.

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Want to see this from 5 different angles?

I’ve recreated this scene with close-ups, overhead shots, and low-angle perspectives. All using smart prompting, zero Photoshop but with the new Nano Banana Pro model.

Overhead shot of a toddler girl decorating gingerbread cookies on a white wooden table, scattered flour, gingerbread house, Christmas cookies on plates, floral dress visible, soft natural light, cozy Scandinavian kitchen vibe

Extreme close-up of small child hands decorating a gingerbread cookie with white icing, soft natural light, shallow depth of field, rustic wooden table, warm nostalgic tones, Christmas baking scene

Side profile of a toddler girl with messy bun concentrating on decorating gingerbread cookies, soft window light illuminating her face, rustic Scandinavian kitchen blurred in background, warm nostalgic atmosphere

Low angle shot from table level, toddler girl decorating gingerbread cookies, gingerbread house in foreground, child’s face slightly blurred in background, warm cozy kitchen, nostalgic Christmas baking scene

Wide shot of a cozy Scandinavian kitchen with a toddler girl decorating gingerbread cookies at a rustic table, white shelves with copper pots in background, Christmas decorations, soft natural light from window, warm inviting atmosphere

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The magic isn’t in the AI only.
It’s in knowing what to ask for.

That’s what this newsletter is about.

More breakdowns coming.
Follow along.

—
Pawel

I did a session using an interesting style (SREF in Midjourney) that gives a natural image with the addition of drawings, or rather doodles. This is what happens when you enter the values below.

Here is the prompt:

full body shot female beauty [nationality] lady with gentle smile, deep black gradient background, studio lighting --ar 4:5 --raw --sref 3804342122 --sv 4 --sw 500 --stylize 350

In the prompt, I asked for the full body, but the style is so strong that it makes a portrait.

Have you tried adding your nationality when prompted?

[photography style] + [camera angle] + [subject + action + setting/environment] + [lighting type and direction] + [color treatment and dominant tones] + [emotional tone, atmosphere, and visual style]

I recommend creating in Midjourney.

I want to create black-and-white photograph depicting a dark, mysterious desert. Human remains can be seen with a terrifying raven perched on them, waiting for its next victims.

by describing things accurately, we usually get a more accurate picture,
so my prompt:

[black-and-white fine art photography] + [eye-level angle] + [a barren desert with scattered human remains and a raven perched atop them, standing menacingly] + [harsh directional lighting casting dramatic shadows] + [monochrome with deep blacks and silvery grays] + [ominous, stark, minimalist, haunting atmosphere]

By continuing to change the prompt only in these descriptive places, you can create a story.

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A little scary, but it’s just an example.

If you use this formula, I’d love to see your work.

See you next time!

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The Foreground Magic

Your tree anchors the entire composition and gives viewers something to emotionally connect with. It creates scale reference - suddenly your lake feels vast and your mountains feel distant. The foreground is your attention-grabber and the foundation that makes everything else work.

Pro tip: Make your tree detailed and sharp - this layer should have the most visual information and texture.

The Middle Ground Sweet Spot

That lake is doing heavy lifting as your storytelling space. It provides context, creates a natural transition between near and far, and gives your eye a comfortable resting place. Without this middle layer, your tree would feel awkwardly placed against distant mountains.

Key insight: This layer should have moderate detail - not as sharp as foreground, not as soft as background.

The Background Foundation

Your mountains create the sense of infinite depth and establish the mood of the entire scene. They’re not competing for attention - they’re providing atmospheric context that makes your foreground tree feel grounded in a real environment.

Critical element: Mountains should be softer, cooler in color temperature, and less detailed than your other layers.

Why This Formula Works

Tree-lake-mountains follows natural visual hierarchy: immediate detail (tree), contextual space (lake), atmospheric depth (mountains). Your brain reads this as a believable, navigable space rather than random elements fighting for attention.

The secret: Each layer has a specific job - attention, context, atmosphere. When each does its job properly, you get that satisfying sense of looking into a real world rather than at a flat image.

Try this formula with different subjects: “car, street, cityscape” or “person, garden, hills” - the three-layer principle works universally.

There comes a time when you have to choose your priorities. That’s why I decided to focus entirely on discovering how AI can inspire the creation of stunning visuals – without chaos, but with a specific dose of practical tips.

You will still find my thoughts and reflections in the newsletter, but they will guide you through the world of human-AI collaboration – because this combination opens up a whole new approach to creativity. AI is a tool, not a replacement – nothing can replace human vision, sensitivity, and sense of style.

I will not only share daily AI tips useful for you and your brand, but also guide you through different visual styles and workflows where you will find practical applications for your projects (and even life decisions). My original photography will also appear to vividly show the meeting of technology with the experience of a designer and photographer.

If you want to better understand AI visuals and use Midjourney and other tools without feeling overwhelmed, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll cover the practical aspects, style, and real-world effects that you can implement right away.

Peace and love,

Pawel