iStock's AI Generator User Guide

Learn to master this powerful tool with guidance on building and refining prompts, how to get the most out of our latest features, and insightful tips to bring your creative vision to life.

Getting started

Looking to build better prompts?

Modify your AI‑generated images

Design & stylistic keywords

Getting started

Here's how to generate your AI images

1. Open the AI Generator from the main navigation. 
   Reminder: you need to be signed in and have an active Unlimited AI plan* (in case you are a 100‑generation legacy customer, you will need to have at least 1 generation available). 
2. Describe what you want to generate using the prompt box. 
   To get the best results, include a main subject, what's happening, and where the action is taking place. Example: doorway glowing in the desert. Note: the prompt fields have a limit of 250 words. 
3. When you're happy with your prompt, click "Generate." 
   You'll see four boxes with twinkling icons that indicate the AI Generator is working to create your images.

Now that you have your first generated images, you can download them as often as you need. Your generated images also come with legal indemnification of up to $10,000 USD per image.

Try different AI generation strategies

1. Create very different looks by switching between Photos and Illustrations to change your image style.
2. Choose different aspect ratios to alter the dimensions of your generated imagery and create additional options.
3. Use the Camera controls function to choose from different lens types or adjust the depth of field to generate images with unique perspectives and effects.
4. Use the Color & Mood filters to generate images with specific atmospheres or palettes.
5. Click "Add reference image" to add a photo that can be used to create generated images with similar properties.  
6. Once satisfied with a generation result, consider swapping out words to create new concepts. For example, instead of plants, the buildings could be made out of candy, or change street level to a drone shot
7. You can also use a generation to iterate on a prompt or specific image by clicking the "Regenerate" button or selecting "Generate more” in your generation history. 
8. Hovering over an image reveals icons to "Refine" or "Extend" the image, generate 4 new "Variations," or "Download" it.

Creating AI images using reference photos

Apply the color or composition of an existing image to influence the next AI image you create.

1. Upload your chosen reference photo and describe the image you would like to generate in the prompt box.
2. The "Color" button allows you to transfer the color palette and tone to a new set of generated images.
3. The "Composition" button allows you to produce AI images patterned after your reference image—letting you explore different elements while maintaining an image's essential structure.

Try out these new tips and start creating

Modify your AI‑generated images

Refining an AI image

This tool lets you add, replace, or remove elements from an image.

1. First, choose the action you wish to take 
   • "Replace" generates a new element to go into a specific space indicated
   • "Remove" automatically eliminates and fills in the indicated space using context cues from the background
2. Under Brush settings, you can adjust the size of the brush, "Hide selection" to see what you've painted over, "Undo" your last stroke, or "Clear" the entire painted area.
3. Use your cursor as a paintbrush to cover the area or object you want to make changes to. 
4. Type a description into the Prompt text box if you want a specific object generated when replacing an element or adding to an area, and click "Generate more" to bring it to life.
5. In the tray below the image, you can track your modification history, to see and interact with previous iterations.

Extending a generated image

1. You can create additional sizes of an image to make more room for copy, reposition your subject, or to expand the scene to fit your needs.
2. Use the "Freeform" tool to drag the image edges to a new size or simply choose a new aspect ratio from the options provided. 
3. The "Zoom out" slider allows you to manipulate the size of the original image within the frame. 
4. A prompt is optional, but you can add one if there is a specific element or look you want included. Then click "Generate more" and iStock’s AI image generator will automatically fill in new areas based on the original background.
5. Extend also includes a modification history tray that allows you to select previous iterations.

Image background removal

Select the photo that you would like to have the background removed from. This option is also available with images from our creative library*

1. Click the "Remove Background" button, represented by the pair of scissors.
2. After clicking, the background will be removed, leaving only your subject(s) in view. Review the image to ensure it meets your expectations.

Try out these new tips and start creating

Want to know more about downloading and licensing?

Downloading and licensing

1. Like what you see? 
   Download and license the generated image as often as you like—it's free, and you have unlimited downloads of any image you generate.
2. Need to license a larger image size? 
   You can upscale** a Medium image to a higher resolution Large version to then download and license.
3. Want to access previous generations? 
   If you have purchased the iStock Unlimited AI* subscription plan, your download history is retained for six months as long as you have an active subscription (if you decide not to renew your monthly plan, you will lose access to the console and your prompt history). If you're a 100‑generation legacy customer, you have six months to view your download history.

Try out these new tips and start creating

Looking to build better prompts?

Learn how to transform your ideas into powerful visuals with our 10‑step guide for writing the perfect AI prompt.
Check out the video below and learn how to craft clear, specific prompts to generate high‑quality AI images. 

Learn how to tailor your prompt to get images that match your vision 

Place the most important subjects of your desired output near the beginning of the prompt.

They will receive more importance and weight than the words at the end of the prompt.  

Build on the scene by including additional details and art direction.

Example: illuminated doorway in the desert, wide frame, natural light, dusk, cinematic, night, dunes in the background

For greater detail, add any of the following to your prompt:

high quality, high fidelity, detailed, intricate, sharp, proportional

The iStock AI Generator can also be used to: 

Upscale images

Upscale an image from Medium to Large

Get variations

Generate 4 variations based on a previously generated image

Generate new images

Regenerate a new set of images based on an unaltered prompt

Background removal

Remove an image background with a single click

Extend images

Make more space for copy and new elements with Extend

Refine elements

Add, replace, or remove individual elements with Refine

Design and stylistic keywordsTo create even more unique imagery, you can include additional artistic keywords at the end of your prompt, each separated by a comma. We've provided a few below for inspiration—don't be afraid to experiment! To get a more comprehensive list of keywords, check out our blog! 

Mood

Alluring
Brave
Caring
Confident
Empowered
Genuine
Mysterious
Serene
Smiling

Camera and lighting

Tilt‑shift
Soft focus
Sepia
Fish‑eye
Time‑lapse
Panorama
Zoom Blur
Distorted perspective
Mirror image
Butterfly lighting
Lens fog
Overexposure
Smoke painting
Bokeh
Film burn
Hard shadows
Candlelight

Style

Monochrome
Desaturated
Vintage
Pop art
Watercolor
Sketch
Sharpened
Vignette
Night vision
Color splash
1970s
Cinematic 
Minimal
Underwater
Noir
Renaissance
Fantasy

Portrait

Charcoal drawing style
Pointillism style
Doodle style
Baroque style
Steampunk style
Horror style
Film noir style
Double exposure style
Silhouette style
Editorial style
Candid style
Headshot

Looking for more specific information? Explore the AI Generator FAQ.

*Daily generation limits apply. The Modifications tool is available only for AI‑generated images and content from the iStock creative library; it does not include editorial content.  Licensing of source images required to download modified iStock creative imagery. 
**Customers that have an active legacy agreement (100 generations cap) are required to use 1 generation to upscale an image from Medium to Large.