How to Edit Photos in ChatGPT (with Trending Prompts)

With the integration of image generation and editing features, ChatGPT has evolved from a text-only assistant to a creative visual tool. Whether you want to touch up a portrait, change a background, or reimagine a photo entirely, ChatGPT’s photo editing capabilities make it surprisingly easy — even if you don’t have Photoshop skills.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to edit photos in ChatGPT, from generating new images to modifying existing ones, along with some of the best prompt examples to inspire your creativity.

How to Edit Photos in ChatGPT

ChatGPT can now handle more than text. It can generate and edit images directly in the chat window. You can either work on pictures you create inside ChatGPT or upload your own photos for quick edits. Both ways are easy once you get the idea.

ChatGPT allows you to create an image with a text prompt an

Editing Images Made in ChatGPT

d edit it right away. It’s built into the same chat, so you don’t need to switch tools.

Start by opening a new chat and entering a short description of what you want. For example, type something like “create a photorealistic image of a Shiba Inu”.

When the image appears, click on it to open the editor.

Inside the editor, you’ll see two ways to work.

You can use the selection tool to mark a part of the image you want to change.

Then, type what you’d like to adjust. Maybe you highlight the dog’s eyes and write “wearing round, black-rimmed glasses”.

ChatGPT will edit only that area and keep the rest untouched. Edits usually take a few seconds to appear, depending on how complex the request is.

Or you can use prompt editing. Just type your change in the chat, such as “make the lighting softer” or “add a blue background”. ChatGPT updates the image based on your description.

This feature is useful for anyone creating concept art, social media images, or visual drafts.

Editing Your Existing Photos in ChatGPT

You’re not limited to AI-made images. You can also upload a photo you already have. It could be a selfie, a product shot, or something you downloaded online.

Open a new chat and upload the image. Then describe what you want to change. You might write “change the clothes to white” or “remove the background and add a plain blue wall.” ChatGPT reads the image, applies the edit, and shows the new version.

This works well for simple touch-ups, quick color changes, or testing creative ideas. The better the image quality, the better the result. Large, clear photos tend to produce more accurate edits.

If your original picture looks grainy or low-res, you can upscale and enhance it first with a tool like Aiarty Image Enhancer or any similar software you prefer.

Trending ChatGPT Photo Editing Prompt Examples

Getting good results from ChatGPT often depends on how you write your prompt. A few extra words can completely change the tone, lighting, or mood of an image. Below are some examples you can try or tweak for your own work. Each one shows the kind of detail ChatGPT understands best.

ChatGPT Photo Editing Prompts for Men/Boys

The following prompts for men’s portraits are taken from Zenzdesign’s YouTube channel. You can use them as-is or tweak them to fit your own images.

► Prompt #1: Cyberpunk Night City Portrait

Cinematic cyberpunk portrait of a man walking through a neon-lit futuristic city, nighttime scene, heavy rain, soaked trench coat, neon reflections on wet street, dramatic side profile, serious expression, vibrant pink and blue ambient lighting from neon signs, busy urban street with motion blur of rushing crowd, shallow depth of field, shot on 35mm film, detailed textures, moody atmosphere, Blade Runner aesthetic."
Optional additions for refinement:
Camera settings: 35mm lens, aperture f/1.4 for shallow depth of field
Lighting: ambient neon, rim lighting on edges Colors: neon cyan, magenta, purple, electric blue, hints of deep red
Mood: introspective, tense, noir detective vibes Post-processing: analog film grain, slight chromatic aberration for realism

► Prompt #2: Double Exposure Apocalypse Portrait

A cinematic double exposure of a man in profile, with a post-apocalyptic cityscape inside his silhouette. The inner scene shows the man walking through a destroyed, burning urban street, buildings in ruins, glowing embers and fire, with a dramatic sunset in the background.
Moody lighting, warm tones, emotional and introspective mood, high detail, 8K resolution

► Prompt #3: Overhead Moody Interior Portrait

A dramatic overhead cinematic shot of a stylish individual seated alone on a vintage armchair in the center of a large, moody room with wooden flooring and warm ambient lighting. The subject is wearing a dark, textured outfit — a charcoal knit sweater, black tailored pants, and minimalist boots. The lighting creates soft shadows around the chair, drawing full attention to the subject from above. Scattered around are subtle elements: a closed book, a warm floor lamp casting a golden glow, and soft window light from the corner. The background is slightly desaturated with a shallow depth-of-field to enhance the focus on the person, creating a movie scene aesthetic. The tone is cinematic, quiet, and powerful

► Prompt #4: Football Victory Portrait

Please ensure that every detail of my facial features is preserved exactly as they are — no alterations whatsoever. Create a hyper-realistic, high-resolution portrait of me as a professional football player, captured in a powerful, emotional moment immediately after scoring a goal in the rain. I’m wearing an Ipswich town football shirt, drenched from the downpour and slightly muddied from the intense match. My facial expression is raw and intense, conveying a mix of triumph, adrenaline, and emotional release. The scene is set at night in a floodlit stadium, with dramatic beams of stadium light cutting through the heavy rain. Behind me, a sea of cheering fans is visible in the background, rendered in an atmospheric blur to emphasize depth and energy.

► Prompt #5: Luxury Jet Lifestyle Portrait

A hyper realistic 4k photo of a man in uploaded photo,wearing a new era mighty ducks cap,gucci sunglasses ,black nirvana smells like teen spirit shirt, Carhartt brown jacket,richard mille watch,gold big chain necklace.in a cozy business class private jet watching in the window, holding a bottle of luxury beer. Shot on Canon EOS R5, 85mm lens, f/1.4, ISO 400, natural window light, shallow depth of field, subtle skin texture, natural imperfections, 4K resolution.”

►Prompt #6: Legendary Superstar Portrait

A hyper-realistic, ultra-cinematic 256K digital art masterpiece, capturing the supreme embodiment of fame, power, and untouchable elegance – a legendary global superstar standing full body, center frame, like a living deity of modern royalty, his presence commanding absolute silence amidst chaos. He wears a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted royal black tuxedo, woven from luxury silk infused with a subtle diamond shimmer, tailored to perfection, with a white silk shirt glowing under ethereal golden light, a platinum bow tie, and a rare limited-edition luxury watch encrusted with fine details. His designer sunglasses are not just glasses but mirrors of the universe, reflecting an endless cascade of paparazzi flashes like exploding stars in the night sky. The scene is colossal, awe-inspiring, and otherworldly: A red carpet of infinite length, glowing as if made of molten gold, stretches endlessly beneath his feet, reflecting every flash of light in divine brilliance. Hundreds of elite photographers, positioned in multi-level platforms, unleash a storm of blinding camera flashes, turning the atmosphere into a celestial light show of pure white and gold brilliance. Golden cinematic smoke and atmospheric haze swirl around his figure, god rays descending from above, as if the heavens themselves spotlight his presence. Helicopters, luxury drones, and giant holographic billboards project his silhouette into the sky, cementing his immortal status in the annals of legend. In the distant background, the city skyline glows like a galaxy, with dazzling lights, flares, and bokeh effects framing him as the ultimate epicenter of the universe’s attention. His stance is supreme and untouchable, both hands relaxed yet powerful, chin slightly raised, posture unyielding, a man whose aura feels larger than life, timeless, beyond mortal comprehension. Lighting is divine and monumental, an HDR god-tier cinematic spectacle, with exploding flares, golden beams piercing the night, hyper-detailed reflections on every fabric thread, shoes glimmering like obsidian jewels, making the entire image look like a legendary movie poster of a living god of fame and style. This is not just a photograph—it is an eternal icon immortalized, a once-in-history moment captured in infinite realism and heavenly grandeur, a scene destined to inspire awe for generations.

►Prompt #7: Futuristic Desert Warrior Portrait

A highly detailed, hyper-realistic 16K digital artwork of a tall (185 cm) futuristic warrior student standing confidently in a vast, sunlit desert wasteland. The character wears a long, reinforced tactical coat made of dark, weathered leather with metallic trims, layered over a fitted armored combat suit that exudes power and dominance. The suit features intricate engravings and glowing energy lines running across the chest and arms, giving a high-tech, next-gen warrior aesthetic. Massive, heavily engineered exo-mechanical boots anchor the figure, with visible gears, hydraulic pistons, and glowing energy cores radiating faint blue light. A powerful sci-fi rifle is resting naturally on their shoulder, gripped with one hand, adding a commanding, cinematic presence. The person’s real facial features are fully preserved, with intense, determined eyes reflecting the blazing sun. Their hairstyle (short, long, or tied back) flows subtly in the desert breeze. The background features a huge, gradient-colored sun dominating the horizon, casting warm golden-orange light with hints of magenta and purple flares, creating a stunning, cinematic atmosphere. Dust swirls around their boots, long shadows stretch dramatically on the cracked ground, and faint desert winds enhance the realism of the scene. Lighting is ultra-cinematic with high contrast and realistic reflections on the armor, delivering a bold, awe-inspiring, and heroic warrior concept art, adaptable to any individual, male or female.

►Prompt #8: Post-Apocalyptic Survivor Chase

(Post-apocalyptic cinematic movie poster, hyper-realistic, 8K, Unreal Engine 5 style) Scene: A desperate survivor sprints at full speed down a ruined city street at twilight, rain pounding the cracked asphalt. The ground is littered with shattered debris, overturned vehicles, and discarded fabrics. Behind him, a relentless horde of figures—distorted limbs, unnaturally wide eyes, and tattered clothing—chase in a frenzied swarm, some scrambling over wreckage, others moving with animalistic intensity. Character: The survivor’s face is a portrait of raw fear, streaked with grime and moisture. His torn clothing clings to him, damp from the storm, with visible signs of struggle. In one hand, he grips a worn tool (resembling a hatchet), while the other clutches a flickering light source, its beam cutting through the haze. His boots kick up water as he flees, every muscle straining. Atmosphere: The sky is a churning mass of storm clouds, intermittently lit by flashes of electricity. The skeletal remains of skyscrapers loom in the distance, some engulfed in faint orange embers. The air is thick with mist and particulate, and the glow of broken signage casts eerie reflections on wet surfaces. Distant, indistinct sounds hint at unseen danger. Lighting & Style: High-contrast cinematic lighting, with deep shadows and stark highlights. Moody color palette: steel grays, ashy blues, and faint amber from distant fires. Ultra-detailed textures: rain on pavement, frayed fabric, distorted reflections in water. Dynamic “over-the-shoulder” perspective, immersing the viewer in the chase.

►Prompt #9: Cyberpunk Mercenary Portrait

Ultra-cinematic cyberpunk concept art of a futuristic mercenary standing in a neon-drenched dystopian city, captured from a dramatic low-angle perspective to emphasize dominance and power. The character is centered in the frame, wearing a rugged yet sleek leather jacket with metallic detailing, tactical belt loaded with futuristic gear, and a large high-tech handgun holstered on the thigh. He has short cropped hair, a trimmed beard, and reflective cyberpunk sunglasses glowing faintly with neon reflections — no tattoos, no cigar, maintaining a clean yet fierce aesthetic. Lighting: Masterfully balanced contrast between the warm golden rays of a setting sun streaming from behind and vibrant neon signs glowing in crimson and cyan, casting colorful highlights on the leather jacket and metallic gear. Subtle volumetric light and atmospheric haze in the background create cinematic depth. Neon reflections shimmer on the wet pavement, adding realism. Background: Towering skyscrapers with massive glowing billboards featuring Japanese glyphs and holographic ads. Hovering drones and blurred flying cars streak across the skyline. The ground is filled with diffused light and cyberpunk textures, adding a gritty yet futuristic vibe. Color Palette: Golden oranges for sunlight, blended with intense blues and reds from neon for high visual drama. Crisp HDR details with a sharp focus on the character while maintaining soft depth-of-field for background elements. Style: Ultra-realistic cyberpunk poster art, blending fine-art composition with AAA video game cinematic rendering. 8K resolution, perfect for a wall mural or film cover.

ChatGPT Photo Editing Prompts for Women/Girls

►Prompt #1. Golden-hour outdoor portrait

A young woman standing in a field during golden hour, wearing a flowing pastel dress. Soft warm sunlight illuminates her face, slight breeze moves her hair. Shallow depth of field, 85mm lens, aperture f/1.8, natural and dreamy mood.

►Prompt #2. Cozy indoor reading scene

A woman sitting by a window with a cup of coffee, reading a book. Soft daylight filters through sheer curtains, warm tones, gentle shadows on the face, 50mm lens, aperture f/2, relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.

►Prompt #3. Urban fashion editorial

Woman walking on a city street wearing a stylish outfit, motion blur on passing cars and people. Street lights casting reflections on wet asphalt, moody urban vibe, 35mm lens, low shutter speed, vibrant yet cinematic lighting.

►Prompt #4. Soft pastel studio portrait

A girl posed against a pale pink background, wearing light pastel clothes. Softbox lighting from the front, subtle rim light, shallow depth of field, aperture f/2.2, soft and cheerful mood.

►Prompt #5. Dreamy forest scene

Woman in a long flowing dress standing among tall trees with mist around her feet. Light beams breaking through the canopy, natural green tones, wide-angle lens, soft focus, ethereal and mystical mood.

►Prompt #6. Minimalist fashion flat lay

Overhead shot of a woman’s outfit and accessories arranged on a wooden floor. Soft natural light from the side, subtle shadows, neutral colors, high detail, clean and organized aesthetic.

►Prompt #7. Evening city rooftop

Woman sitting on a rooftop at dusk, city skyline behind her, neon signs starting to glow. Long exposure capturing slight light trails, aperture f/4, ISO 400, cinematic and reflective mood.

►Prompt #8. Vibrant summer beach portrait

Woman on the beach wearing a colorful sundress, ocean waves in the background. Golden sunlight highlights her hair, shallow depth of field, 70-200mm lens, f/2.8, bright, happy, and carefree feeling.

►Prompt #9. Creative high-fashion editorial

Woman in avant-garde outfit posed dramatically against a dark textured wall. Spot lighting from above, strong contrast, deep shadows, 50mm lens, f/1.4, dramatic and artistic mood.

►Prompt #10. Fantasy portrait with glowing elements

Woman in a flowing gown standing in a misty garden with floating lanterns around her. Soft warm glow from lanterns, backlighting on hair, shallow depth of field, dreamy and magical atmosphere, 85mm lens, f/1.8.

ChatGPT Photo Editing Prompts for Couples

►Prompt #1. Sunset Beach Couple Portrait

A couple holding hands and walking along the shoreline at sunset. Warm golden light reflects on the water, gentle waves lapping at their feet. Soft breeze moves hair and clothes, shallow depth of field, 85mm lens, f/1.8, romantic and serene mood.

►Prompt #2. Cozy Winter Café Moment

A couple sitting by a window in a small café, sharing a cup of hot chocolate. Soft indoor lighting, warm tones, slight window reflections, 50mm lens, f/2, intimate and relaxed atmosphere.

►Prompt #3. Rainy City Street Embrace

Couple embracing under a shared umbrella on a bustling city street in light rain. Neon signs reflecting on wet pavement, shallow depth of field, 35mm lens, low shutter speed for motion blur, cinematic and romantic mood.

►Prompt #4. Forest Stroll at Golden Hour

A couple walking hand-in-hand through a forest with sunlight filtering through the trees. Light mist in the air, soft warm glow, wide-angle lens, shallow focus, dreamy and peaceful atmosphere.

►Prompt #5. Nighttime Rooftop Silhouette

Couple standing on a rooftop at night, city lights in the background, silhouetted against neon and street lights. Slight breeze, subtle reflections on glass, 50mm lens, f/1.4, moody and intimate mood.

A Few Tips When Writing Prompts

Small wording changes can make a big difference. Keep these in mind when crafting your own:

1. Mention lighting and setting if you want a certain mood.
2. Describe the style clearly, such as cinematic, vintage, or minimalist.
3. Include details that matter most — clothing, background, or color tone.
4. Short, direct prompts usually work better than long, vague ones.

If you often edit or generate photos for creative projects, it helps to keep a list of prompts that match your favorite styles. You can reuse and adjust them over time to build a consistent look.

FAQs about Photo Editing in ChatGPT

1. Can I use ChatGPT to upscale and enhance my existing photos?

Yes, you absolutely can, and this is one of its best uses.

ChatGPT (leveraging models like GPT-4o and DALL·E 3) can receive your uploaded, low-resolution images. While AI doesn't simply "stretch" the image, it will intelligently re-render and enhance it, effectively simulating an upscale by creating new, realistic details.

For general quality enhancement, you can use prompts like:
"Enhance the clarity and sharpness of the image, boosting the overall contrast and refining the colors for a professional look."

2. Can ChatGPT retouch photos?

Yes, AI-powered retouching is highly effective. ChatGPT excels at complex, targeted retouching, which often requires many steps in traditional software. However, the key to success is using precise, restrictive language in your prompts.

Goal – Recommended Prompt

Skin/Face Retouching:
"Subtly smooth the skin texture and remove minor blemishes, without changing the subject's face structure or identity."

Hair/Clothing Change:
"Change the clothes to a dark maroon velvet texture. Apply soft highlights to the hair to simulate a rich chestnut brown color."

Object Removal:
"Using the Selection Tool, I’ve highlighted the object. Please remove it completely and intelligently fill the background."

Why “Restrictive” Prompts are Essential?
To ensure your face or main subject stays consistent during editing, always anchor your subject with clear restrictions. Using phrases like “Do not modify the facial features,” “Preserve the original person,” or “Only change the background” is crucial to prevent the AI from fully redrawing and changing the person’s identity.

3. Can ChatGPT make photos less blurry?

Yes, AI can “deblur” and restore photos with impressive results. While AI cannot magically restore information that wasn’t originally captured (especially in severely blurred images), it uses its sophisticated models to hallucinate or simulate the missing detail. This process is called inpainting and upscaling.

For blurred or damaged photos, try a prompt like this:
"Sharpen the details and attempt to reduce the motion blur. Focus on enhancing the clarity of the main subject’s face. For this old photograph, remove scratches and colorize it with realistic, natural tones while preserving the vintage mood."