Make the still frame carry the story
Use image-to-video when the source visual matters. Upload a product photo, portrait, design frame, or reference image, then guide how the camera, subject, and scene should move around it.
Build a reference pack before generating
A useful image-to-video prompt tells the model what the reference is for, not just what the picture shows.
Pick the anchor image
Choose the clearest source frame: a clean product angle, recognizable face, key visual, or scene composition.
State what must remain
Call out identity, product shape, layout, background details, or visual style that should stay stable.
Direct the movement
Add a motion note such as slow push-in, reveal, turntable, handheld drift, or subject gesture.
Review preservation first
Before judging polish, check whether the important source details survived the animation.
What belongs in this page
Controlled motion from a source visual
Best for product videos, portraits, key art, thumbnails, fashion looks, and design frames that need movement.
Pure ideation with no visual source
If you only have a written idea, text-to-video gives you faster early exploration.
Preserve plus animate
A good prompt separates fixed details from movement instructions so review is easier.
Practical image-to-video jobs
Product reveal clips
Animate a product image into a short reveal, listing video, or launch teaser while preserving the item.
Portrait and character motion
Turn a source portrait into a controlled motion test where likeness and expression matter.
Creative A/B variants
Run the same image through different movement notes to compare pacing and camera language.
Image-to-video questions
What kind of image works best?
Use a sharp image with a clear subject and enough surrounding context for motion. Avoid crowded reference images when identity or product detail matters.
Do I still need a text prompt?
Yes, even a short prompt helps. Tell the generator what to preserve and how the scene should move.
Should I use the main AI video generator instead?
Use the main page if you are still deciding between text-first and reference-first workflows. Use this page when the reference image is already the anchor.
Upload the frame you want to protect
Use the reference as the anchor, then write a motion note that makes the still image behave like a planned shot.