Advanced AI Photo Techniques: Generative Fill and Composition

Use AI generative fill to enhance photos, expand compositions, and perfect product photography. Elevate image quality beyond traditional editing.

10 min read27 February 2026

generative

fill

photography

Generative fill works best with clear context; the AI draws from surrounding pixels to generate expansions, so ensure sufficient clear areas exist

Be specific with prompts: rather than 'expand the photo,' say 'expand vertically by 20% with clear sky background and soft clouds'

Experiment with multiple generations; often the first result isn't optimal, and regenerating yields better options

Use generative fill subtly; obviously generated areas create uncanny valleys; keep generations aligned with original image reality

Combine with traditional editing: use generative fill for expansion or element removal, then match colours and lighting with adjustment layers

Why This Matters

Generative fill represents a leap forward in photo editing, enabling creators to expand compositions, remove distracting elements, and perfect shots. This guide covers advanced applications: expanding product photos for different formats, fixing composition issues, and creating perfect images from good-but-not-perfect originals.

How to Do It

Understanding Generative Fill Capabilities

Generative fill uses AI to intelligently complete images based on surrounding context. Expand narrow product photos horizontally, add missing background elements, or repair problematic areas by describing your intent. The AI learns from millions of images to generate realistic continuations.

Expanding Photos for Different Platforms

Create a single shot, then expand it for different platform requirements: vertical for TikTok, square for Instagram, or widescreen for LinkedIn. Generative fill creates appropriate composition for each format without cropping out important elements.

Perfecting Product Photography

Professional product photography often requires controlled lighting and backgrounds. Use generative fill to improve imperfect shots: clean cluttered backgrounds, adjust lighting appearance, or add elements suggesting lifestyle use. This enables smaller creators to achieve professional-looking product photography without studio investment.

Fixing Composition and Framing Issues

Sometimes you capture a perfect moment but the framing's slightly off. Rather than cropping away important elements, use generative fill to expand the frame, rebalancing composition. This technique recovers shots that would otherwise be discarded.

Common Mistakes

Not following best practices

{'tip': 'Generative fill works best with clear context; the AI draws from surrounding pixels to generate expansions, so ensure sufficient clear areas exist'}

Frequently Asked Questions

When used skillfully, no. Poorly done generative fill looks artificial. Study successful examples and refine technique.

Check your software's licensing. Most modern tools allow commercial use of generatively-enhanced images.

Most tools suggest expanding up to 25-30% of the original composition. Larger expansions require more sophisticated prompting and often look less realistic.

Next Steps

["Generative fill transforms adequate photos into perfect assets, enabling creators to prioritise authentic moments over technical perfection. By mastering this technology, you'll reduce shooting requirements whilst maintaining professional image quality, ultimately creating more content faster."]

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