Turn a Still Image into a Video, Step by Step
A walkthrough of animating a single image: choosing the right source picture, describing the motion, and refining the result.
Starting from an image gives you control over exactly how the first frame looks. The model's job is then only to add motion. Here is the workflow from start to finish.
Step 1: Pick a strong source image
Choose an image with a clear subject and some space around it. Busy backgrounds and subjects cut off at the edge of the frame give the model less to work with once things start moving.
Step 2: Upload it in the studio
Open the image-to-video tool in the studio and upload your picture as the starting frame.
Step 3: Describe only the motion
The image already defines what the scene looks like, so the prompt should focus on what changes:
The woman turns her head toward the camera and smiles, hair moving gently in the wind.
Repeating the image's contents in the prompt adds little; describing movement adds a lot.
Step 4: Generate and review
Watch the clip for drift: faces changing, objects appearing, or the background warping. Small amounts are normal in longer clips.
Step 5: Refine
If the motion is too strong, soften the verbs ("slowly", "slightly"). If the subject drifts, simplify the action. Regenerate and compare with the previous result.