Make the edit

How to use reference images for AI edits in Photoshop

Use references to show the subject or style you want, then check what the model actually kept.

AI Studio·2 min read·Updated October 24, 2026

The quick answer

A reference image is a picture you give the AI as a guide. It can show an object, a room or a style. It does not freeze every detail.

Choose a clear picture. Say what it should show the AI. Then check the result against the original.

In this article

1. Give the guide picture one job
2. Add the reference picture
3. Ask for one clear change
4. Compare the details
5. Save the steps you used
Sources

Keep these in mind

Give each reference a clear job.
Check the reference options for the selected model.
Keep original pixels when an exact match matters.

1. Give the guide picture one job

Decide what the reference is for. Is it the product, the light or the background? Write its job in one short sentence.

Choose a picture that shows that thing clearly. Make sure you are allowed to use and upload it.

2. Add the reference picture

Some Generative Fill options let you add reference pictures. The options depend on the model you choose. A model is the AI system that makes the picture.

Use Adobe’s guide to find the right button. One model may accept a reference while another does not.

3. Ask for one clear change

A prompt is the instruction you type for the AI. Keep it clear. For example: “Use this picture for the room lighting. Add a plain wall behind the chair.”

This is a prompt to try, not a promise. If too much changes, ask for less. Changing the room, clothes, pose and face at once makes mistakes harder to trace.

4. Compare the details

Put the original and result side by side at the same size. Check shapes, edges, text and colors. For a face, check the eyes, nose and mouth.

Need the exact face or label? Keep that part from the original picture. Use a mask to hide the changed part. A similar new image is still a new image.

5. Save the steps you used

Save the reference, prompt and chosen picture together. Note which model you used. This helps when you need another change later.

If the results are wrong, use the reference as a guide and build the picture with Photoshop layers. The goal is a correct picture.

Sources & further reading

Product features can change. Check the linked documentation for the version and service you use.

Use reference images for consistent results