How do I write a good prompt to generate or focus on creating an exact image/concept?
[Main Subject]
[Action]
[Surroundings]
[Visual Aesthetics]
The following are prompt suggestions to add to any query: high quality, high fidelity, detailed, intricate, sharp, proportional.
Turn on negative prompt to specify what you don’t want to see in an image. For example, “clouds”, or “muted colors”.
How do I provide clear context or details that are important?
Is there any overall guidance to prompt writing?
Here’s an example:
A white cat sleeps on a blue textured pillow, it is a wide angle shot and you can see the entire room. Cat, fluffy, pillow, texture, detail, interior, wide angle
For your negative prompt, natural language is not recommended. Instead, provide a comma separated list of keywords you don’t want to see in the text‑to‑image render. Using the example above, consider writing the following negative prompt: dog, outdoors.
Note that if you add “no” in front of a word in the negative prompt space, it will be read as a double negative and will instead include the phrase you meant to exclude.
Is there any limit to how long my prompt can be?
I lost my previous session. How can I recover the prompts I last used?
Can I save favorite prompts or frequently used prompts?
Do you support text prompts in languages other than English?
How are these AI‑generated images made?
What is AI image generation?
What is text prompt‑to‑image generation?
How do I use the AI Generator alongside the iStock creative pre‑shot library?
How do I create an AI image prompt?
Can I generate AI images for free?
Are AI art generators illegal?
That's why we are vigilant in ensuring our AI model is only trained on iStock's creative library and proprietary data and have safeguards in place to significantly decrease the risk of generating problematic visuals, so the images you generate are immediately safe and cleared for commercial use.
Can I sell AI‑generated art?
How do I report unsafe, inappropriate, or harmful images?
If you feel the AI Generator produced unsafe, inappropriate, or harmful images, please use the Flag icon to report results that need our attention such as: trademark or copyright violation, authorship concerns, stereotypical/biased results, promotes violence or hatred, sexually explicit content, or other.
What is iStock’s approach to commercially safe, generative AI?
Whether you are looking for AI‑generated content for creative inspiration, or imagery to use commercially, our Generative AI services provide protection and indemnification to use in a rapidly changing legal and regulatory environment.
To learn more about our views on Generative AI, please check out our About Us page.
Will copies of my content ever become a part of the iStock Generative AI model?
What are iStock AI generations?
Can I use AI generations to license a pre‑shot stock image from iStock’s image library?
What counts towards my generation cap?
The current count and total number you have available can be found next to the "Generate" button.
I previously had free access to the Background Removal tool. Why is it now no longer available for free?
Do my number of generations rollover?
What is the difference between AI image generations and AI image modifications?
Do I need to provide an attribution line for the content I generate or modify with Generative AI by iStock?
Please refer to the iStock Content License Agreement for the attribution requirements that apply to our stock content, whether modified or not.
How do I cancel my Generative AI by iStock subscription?
To determine if local law requires you to be entitled to such early cancellation, please make a request for cancellation in writing through our contact us email form.
The visuals generated don’t meet my expectations. How can I get a refund?
Generative AI technology is rapidly evolving, and results can sometimes be unexpected or imperfect. At times, it can take multiple prompts or image refinement to get to the precise image you need. We are improving the AI model and adding features on a regular basis, but some subjects can be tricky. Please see our User Guide for prompting tips and ways to improve results.
You may also find that images from the iStock library better meet your needs. We have recently launched a new AI‑powered search that allows you to be more expressive in your search queries, to help you find the right visual more efficiently. You can also leverage the AI Advanced Control features to further refine the visual to create the specific image you need.
What resolution and file format are supported?
Can I preview or download an unwatermarked file for composite purposes only?
Note: Upscaling an image to Large (4096x4096) for download requires 1 generation and will count towards your overall generation cap.
I ran into an error downloading my generated image. Will I be charged again if I download the image a second time?
I hit “Generate” image by mistake. Can I get a refund on the generation?
I hit “Remove Background” by mistake. Can I get a refund on the generation credit?
I downloaded a generated image by mistake. Can I return the file?
I downloaded a generated or modified image, but our client went in a different creative direction. Can I return the file?
I reached my cap of generation prompts. How do I get more?
You can turn off auto‑refill anytime from your Account Overview. Renewal Refill rates are subject to change, but we will always notify you of any rate change beforehand.
If auto‑refill is off and your generations reach 0, you will need to purchase more generations from the Generative AI by iStock page.
Where can I see how many generations I have left?
How can I provide feedback on my generated images?
If you’d like to leave feedback about the AI Generator beyond individual images, click the “Give Feedback” tab in the bottom right corner of the page. You’ll be prompted to rate the product and provide additional information.
How will my feedback be used?
Will visuals I have generated be offered as part of iStock's creative library?
Are my prompts and generated visuals tracked or recorded by iStock?
Will copies of my content ever become a part of the iStock Generative AI model?
It looks like one of the generated images contains recognizable trademarks, logos, landmarks, or a public personality. Can I still use the image?
If you have concerns about whether the generated image might contain recognizable subjects, please use the Flag icon to report results that need our attention. While we are confident that Generative AI by iStock is commercially safe, if you are unsure if you can safely use a specific visual generated, please reach out to our Customer Service team in addition to selecting the Flag icon.
Can I use the images I generate for my personal, commercial, or promotional project?
Are there model releases for the people generated in the images?
What is AI stock image modification?
Can I modify anything other than photos (i.e., videos, illustrations)?
Which images can I modify with Generative AI by iStock?
Can I upload my own images to modify with Generative AI by iStock?
Can I modify an image before licensing it?
Will images that I modified with AI be offered as part of iStock's creative library?
How are these AI images Refine and Extend modifications made?
How is the AI image Background Removal made?
Do I have to select Remove Background after Refine and Extend?
Why do I need to restore the background to use other AI modification features?
Does restoring the background count as one generation?
Can I use the AI image Background Removal on vector illustrations?
Can I modify images that I’ve already licensed in the past and are available in my account to download?
Do I need to pay to modify and to download the image?
How do I purchase AI modifications and stock images?
What is the legal protection for my modified image?
When licensing, can I download the original and the modified versions of the image?
Can I return an image that I modified?
Where can I find my download history for an image I previously modified?
How can I tell which images in the iStock library are available to modify?
Why are some images in the iStock library available to modify and others not?
As Generative AI technology evolves, we will continue to expand the type of content available for modification within our image library. However, iStock editorial imagery will never be made available for AI modification.
I previously had free access to the Background Removal tool. Why is it now no longer available for free?
Do I own the copyright to the images I modified?