thumbish
Give every reference image a specific job: identity, object accuracy, composition or visual style. Explain which details must remain and which can change. A reference provides guidance; it does not guarantee an exact face, product or layout in a generated thumbnail.
| Reference role | Useful instruction | Review separately |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Use this as my face reference | Likeness, expression and visible features |
| Product | Keep this exact model recognizable | Shape, controls, branding and proportions |
| Composition | Use the large-subject/small-background relationship | Whether the new scene still fits your video |
| Style | Use the restrained palette and soft lighting | Unwanted copied objects or text |
Label the purpose of each reference
A face photograph and a thumbnail you admire communicate different things. If you attach both without explanation, the creative direction can become ambiguous. State that one supplies identity while the other illustrates lighting or a composition principle.
For example: “Image one is my microphone; preserve its visible controls. Image two shows the quiet background and side lighting I like. Do not copy its person, text or room.” This instruction is more useful than asking the system to combine everything.
Choose assets that reveal the important detail
Use a clear source view of the object you want recognized. If a microphone’s front controls distinguish the model, an image of its rear gives little help. A heavily filtered selfie may also be a poor source for checking likeness.
Avoid relying on a tiny crop when the final image needs a larger view. You can ask for a changed setting or lighting, but review whether those changes distort the feature you needed to preserve. Keep the original file available beside the generated version.
Separate fixed requirements from creative freedom
Write two short lists. The fixed list contains the actual product, correct text, permitted person and truthful setting. The flexible list contains background treatment, color balance, subject scale and optional decoration.
For a camera review, the exact camera body may be fixed while the backdrop can be simplified. For a travel story, the location may be essential. If a generated scene changes a recognizable place or invents an event, a more attractive composition does not resolve the factual mismatch.
Use inspiration without cloning the story
Study a reference for its visual principle rather than taking its entire claim. A large object against an uncluttered background is a reusable design idea. A recognizable person, exact scene and distinctive headline together may imply a different creator’s work or story.
Use your own permitted assets and create a direction around your video. If the draft remains too close to an inspiration image, change the concept rather than only recoloring it. The goal is to communicate your contribution clearly.
Apply the references in Thumbish
Attach image references to the creative conversation and describe their roles. Channel persona and reference settings help keep context available. Confirm the applicable limits on the pricing and documentation pages before planning a batch.
After generation, inspect identity, geometry, text and composition independently. A likeness error needs a different correction from a subject that is too small. Give feedback that identifies the problem and says which parts of the image should remain.
- Assign one purpose to each reference.
- State exact details that must survive.
- Keep source files for side-by-side review.
- Approve accuracy before accepting visual polish.
Frequently asked questions
Will a reference guarantee an exact face?
No. Inspect the generated likeness, expression and details before publishing. A reference guides the output rather than certifying it.
Should I upload many similar references?
Use enough clear references to explain the job, within the tool’s limits. More images are not automatically more useful if their roles conflict.