4 tips for using Nano Banana to create amazing images

From editing better headshots for professional profiles to creating out-of-this-world sci-fi photos, people across the globe are finding a bunch of inventive ways to use Nano Banana. Since it was unpeeled in late August, our new image model in the Gemini app has powered over 5 billion creations.

"It's a giant quality leap, especially for image editing," says Nicole Brichtova, the model's product lead. "We're putting capabilities that used to require specialized tools into the hands of everyday creators, and it's been inspiring to see the explosion of creativity this has sparked."

With Nano Banana, Nicole can see herself in different outfits or professions - all while still looking like herself.

Nano Banana was built from the ground up to process both text and images at the same time. This native multimodal capability allows for a whole new range of applications and creative possibilities. Instead of only generating images based on a text prompt, the model can understand and incorporate an existing image into its creative process.

It also doesn't treat each new request as a blank slate. By processing images in an ongoing, contextual way, it understands what it just created, allowing for more precise and consistent edits. And with advanced reasoning and Gemini's vast knowledge about the world, Nano Banana can interpret vague instructions and apply logic to fill in the blanks creatively and contextually.

Here are a few ways you can put these new capabilities to work for you.

1. Experiment with consistency

One of Nano Banana's key strengths is its ability to maintain scene and character consistency across multiple edits and generations. The model can reuse the same characters while altering their outfits, poses, lighting or the entire scene, or even render them from different angles, all while preserving their likeness.

"Subtle flaws make a difference when editing pictures of yourself or people you know well. A depiction that's 'close but not quite the same' can feel off," Gemini App Product Manager David Sharon says. "That's why Gemini 2.5 Flash Image makes photos of people and even animals look consistently like themselves. We've progressed from something that looks like your AI distant cousin to images that look like you."

One prompt that's become especially popular? Turning photos into figurines.

David went from photo (left) to figurine (right) in just one prompt. Want to try it on a photo of your own? Use this prompt.

2. Control the details with pixel-perfect editing

Nano Banana can alter specific elements within an image without affecting the rest of the scene. "We call this pixel-perfect editing," Nicole says. "It's about giving you control to change a single detail - for example, the color of a sofa to brainstorm new home decor ideas - without disturbing the rest of the scene."

Use natural language to replace an object, adjust placements or fix a sign to say something different. You can even upload a mockup of a UI and change the color of a button or adjust a logo's size without distorting the surrounding layout.

The prompt for this edit was "the dog's mouth is closed."

The model can also generate images one after another, while "remembering" the previous images it created in a single conversation and the context. This allows for an iterative process where you can break down a complex task into smaller steps, like decorating an empty room one piece of furniture at a time.

3. Explore new creative directions

Instead of needing specific, lengthy prompts, you can give Nano Banana simple, conversational instructions. It understands the content and can apply its knowledge of the real world to perform complex tasks, like turning a simple sketch into a realistic scene, annotating real-world objects or restoring and colorizing old photos with an understanding of historical context.

Plus, you can combine up to three images to create something new. Experiment with merging disparate photo elements, or blend objects, colors and textures.

Restore pictures from the past or remix new ideas.

4. Build an app in Canvas or AI Studio

With Nano Banana integrated into both Canvas in the Gemini app and Google AI Studio, you can easily bring your image-based app ideas to life. In fact, one of the first Nano Banana apps was an internal passion project, created by the team after they were inspired during a pre-launch demo review.

"Some ideas are way more magical when you see a set of images together, like picturing yourself in different styles over the decades," Marketing Lead Dennis Hsu says. "Inspired by an AI Studio app from Googler Ammaar Reshi, we realized that it'd be a great opportunity to create a few multi-photo templates to make it easy for people to generate and share in the Gemini app. Building in Canvas made it super easy to bring this idea to life!"

The result? PictureMe: a fast, fun and totally new way to see yourself. Just upload a photo, choose from one of the themes - like '80s Mall Shoot or Pro Headshots - and see the transformation across six different images in that style.

With just one photo, Dennis used PictureMe to see himself through the decades.

Even with all the excitement, the team isn't slowing down. They're already working on new improvements and capabilities. And the overwhelmingly positive reaction is giving the team even more momentum. "It's been amazing to see the breadth of use cases and overall global adoption," David says. "We helped to unleash human creativity at scale."

• Gemini
• AI