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Image to image AI, guided by your photo

One composition, a different medium

The source defines the scene; the prompt defines its treatment. Use this example to plan your own transformation.

Illustrative comparison of a seaside cottage photograph and a watercolor interpretation
Photo reference conceptWatercolor direction

A seaside cottage, reimagined in watercolor

Keep the recognizable roofline, coastal path and sea horizon while changing the rendering to translucent washes and textured paper. Upload your own reference before using the prompt.

  • Keep: architecture, viewpoint and coastline.
  • Change: medium, palette and edge softness.
  • Check: window placement and the path before saving.

Transformation prompt

Transform the uploaded seaside cottage photo into a watercolor illustration on textured paper. Keep the cottage position, roof shape, winding path and horizon. Use muted blue, sandy beige and sage green, with soft edges and transparent washes. Do not add buildings, people or lettering.

Illustrative example; actual results vary.

Transform a photo in three steps

A useful image-to-image request gives the model both a starting point and a clear editing brief.

01Add a clear reference

Sign in and upload your source photo. Start with one well-lit image so the subject, edges and layout are easy to identify.

02Separate changes from constraints

Name the new style or scene, then list the details to retain: roof shape, product color, pose or camera position. Avoid asking for conflicting changes.

03Continue and refine in chat

Submit your brief to open the conversation. Inspect the returned image, then request one focused adjustment. Each generation uses credits according to the model and settings.

Choose the kind of transformation you need

Image-to-image is useful when you already have a visual starting point and want to explore a controlled change.

Photo to illustration

Ask for watercolor, ink, gouache or a paper-cut treatment. Describe the texture and linework instead of relying only on a broad style label.

Product scene studies

Explore a stone plinth, kitchen shelf or linen setting around a product. Explicitly preserve its silhouette and color, then inspect the label and proportions.

Lighting and season changes

Try overcast daylight, a warm evening or a winter atmosphere. State whether shadows, foliage and sky may change along with the lighting.

Sketch to visual concept

Use a rough drawing to communicate layout, then request materials and depth. Treat the result as a design study and check the interpretation against your sketch.

Write a brief that protects the important details

References guide generation, but they do not lock every pixel. A short, specific brief makes the result easier to evaluate.

Name the parts that must stay

Replace “keep everything” with observable details: “keep the three windows, green door and left-facing perspective.” Prioritize the few features that define your subject.

Make one large change at a time

Establish the new art medium before changing the weather or background. Smaller follow-up requests make it easier to see which instruction caused an unwanted change.

Explain each reference

When attaching several images, identify the main subject and the style reference in your prompt. The number a model can use may be lower than the four-image limit here.

Review small details closely

Look at faces, fingers, labels and repeated patterns at full size. Generative edits may redraw details; a pleasing overall composition does not guarantee faithful fine structure.

Continue with a more specific tool

Choose a focused workflow when you know the next change you need.

AI image generator

Start with a text description when you do not have a source photo.

AI photo editor

Describe targeted changes to the photo you want to keep working on.

AI background remover

Isolate a subject when the surrounding scene is the only part you want to remove.

Image to image questions

What to expect when transforming a reference image.

Image-to-image starts with a reference and an instruction. Text-to-image builds the scene from your description. Use a reference to guide an existing composition, subject or design.

Give your reference a new direction

Start with a clear photo and one intentional change. Add the details that should survive the transformation.

Transform a referenceGenerate from text