Reference images

A reference is an image hint you give the model along with text. The model picks up a character, product, style or composition from it.

Try it on: Nano Banana 2 · Nano Banana 2 Lite · Nano Banana Edit

1. The "References" field: upload a file with "Choose file".
2. "From gallery" — reuse one of your earlier results without downloading it.

When to use

• Photo animation — the photo becomes the first frame of the video.
• Character/product — to keep the same person or item across generations.
• Style — "paint it in the same style as this".

What makes a good reference

1. Sharp image without heavy noise or blur.
2. One main subject — the model shouldn't guess what you meant.
3. Good lighting: dark photos give unpredictable results.
4. For portrait animation the face must be fully visible.