How to Choose Reference Photos for AI

1. Start with the clearest original you have

Open the original photograph and inspect the main subject at full size. Check whether the eyes, fur, fabric or product edges are in focus. A small preview can hide blur and compression that becomes obvious when you enlarge it.

Prefer the original camera file over a screenshot of a screenshot. If several similar photos are available, choose the one that shows the details relevant to your edit. For a chair recolor, the upholstery and its boundaries matter more than an interesting view through the window.

• The main subject is large enough to inspect.
• Important edges are not hidden by motion blur.
• The file has no accidental interface overlays or stickers.
• You have retained an untouched copy of the original.

2. Check the light and background

Look for visible detail in both the light and dark parts of the subject. In a portrait, make sure the face is not mostly in deep shadow. For an object, check that reflections do not cover the surface you want to change.

A quiet background is a useful starting point when the subject is what matters. If the surroundings are part of the idea, keep them and name the elements you want preserved. The aim is not to remove every background detail, but to make the intended subject unambiguous.

3. Leave room for the final composition

Avoid cutting off a person’s head, a pet’s ears or an object’s corners if you expect them in the output. Leave some space around the subject, especially when the final image shape differs from the source photograph.

Keep source preparation and output framing separate. Cropping a wide photo into a square may remove context you wanted to retain. Compare the source and intended output shape before generating, and check the final crop instead of assuming every edge will be preserved.

4. Prepare the file for Picmira

Picmira’s reference upload accepts JPG, PNG and WebP files up to 20 MB. Use the upload button, drag a file into the upload area or paste a copied image with Command-V on Mac or Control-V on Windows. Upload availability is shown in the tool.

If your source is in another format, export a copy in a supported format; simply changing its filename extension does not convert the image. Keep the original file so you can return to it after comparing results.

5. Choose visibility before you generate

Use an image you own or have permission to edit. For personal photos, sign in and keep Private gallery enabled if you want a private result. Signed-in accounts default to private results; guest results are public. Uploaded reference images and written prompts remain private in either mode.

After generation, compare the result against your saved source. Check both the requested change and the details that should have stayed the same. A visually appealing edit can still alter a face, a product edge or an important background element. Download the result once it fits your intended use.

• Confirm the requested change.
• Check the subject’s identity, shape and proportions.
• Inspect edges and small details at full size.
• Confirm the result’s visibility before sharing it.