Keep up‑to‑date on iStock's latest AI features
November 2024
Showcasing products in studio‑quality photos using AI
Background removal, API, Generate
Users can now upload and integrate their own product shots* into any scene they can imagine, from modern studio backdrops to realistic landscapes. Clicking "Add image" in the prompt bar allows customers to upload an image of their product. Our service automatically removes the background around their product and provides controls to change the size and position of the object. The customer then provides a text prompt to generate a new background the product will be blended into to create a stunning, commercially safe product photo.
Also available this month: Customers can now upload their own photo or illustration as a reference image to apply its color palette or composition to their next generation.
*To qualify for iStock's legal indemnification, users must own or have licensed the rights to the product image they upload. Terms of use apply.
Also available this month: Customers can now upload their own photo or illustration as a reference image to apply its color palette or composition to their next generation.
*To qualify for iStock's legal indemnification, users must own or have licensed the rights to the product image they upload. Terms of use apply.
October 2024
A new subscription for endless creativity: Unlimited AI
Generate, Modify
To help customers create without limits, we're introducing Unlimited AI, a new subscription service that offers unlimited access* to iStock's AI‑powered tools for one low monthly fee. Users will be able to generate and iterate new imagery until it matches their vision, and modify licensed iStock creative and AI‑generated images to fit any need. The new plan will replace our current 100 AI generations bundle which we will be discontinuing.
*Daily generation limits apply. Does not include editorial images. Licensing of source image required to download modified imagery.
*Daily generation limits apply. Does not include editorial images. Licensing of source image required to download modified imagery.
August 2024
Prompting with a reference image
On‑site, Generate
Using image‑to‑image generation, the Reference image feature helps customers achieve their vision in fewer prompts by allowing them to apply the color scheme or composition of a previously licensed iStock creative or AI‑generated image to their next generation.
June 2024
One‑click background removal
On‑site, API, Modify, Creative Library
The Remove background feature allows customers to easily remove the background* of any image they've created using the AI Generator. Once edits are complete, a user simply clicks Remove background and a version of the image is created as a final transparent PNG they can then download immediately. This addition to our suite of AI tools helps reduce the time, cost, and effort that can go into a potentially complicated editing process.
Update: Feature now available for modifying images in the iStock creative library.
*Requires the use of one AI generation.
Update: Feature now available for modifying images in the iStock creative library.
*Requires the use of one AI generation.
June 2024
Updated AI model (V2 to V3)
On‑site , API, Generate , Modify, Creative Library
The third version of our AI model has been once again trained exclusively on clean iStock creative content and proprietary data. This upgraded version provides improvements to generation speed (2x faster), 4K upscaling detail, prompt adherence/relevancy, and image quality such as skin texture. The update also increases the prompt length to 512 tokens* (approximately 300 words) and provides a new set of camera controls like pitch, depth of field, and shot type.
*Note that longer prompt length will only be available for initial prompt and not Refine/Extend prompt
*Note that longer prompt length will only be available for initial prompt and not Refine/Extend prompt
March 2024
Refine AI editing tool
On‑site, API, Generate, Modify, Creative Library
With the new Refine feature, customers can Replace or Remove individual elements of an AI‑generated image. This is also known as “inpainting.” Users highlight an area they wish to modify using a brush tool, then provide a text prompt to guide the AI model in what to generate and place there. When downloaded, these new, commercially safe variations include the same robust legal protections and indemnification as the original.
Update: Feature now available for modifying images in the iStock creative library.
*Requires the use of one AI generation. Licensing of source image required to download modified imagery.
Update: Feature now available for modifying images in the iStock creative library.
*Requires the use of one AI generation. Licensing of source image required to download modified imagery.
March 2024
Extend AI editing tool
On‑site, API, Generate, Modify, Creative Library
Also known as “outpainting,” the Extend feature allows customers to easily expand content beyond the edges of a previously generated image, automatically filling in new areas in context of the original image or based on a prompt from the user. The Freeform aspect ratio option allows users to select and generate additional custom image sizes. When downloaded, these new, commercially safe variations include the same robust legal protections and indemnification as the original.
Update: Feature now available for modifying images in the iStock creative library.
*Requires the use of one AI generation. Licensing of source image required to download modified imagery.
Update: Feature now available for modifying images in the iStock creative library.
*Requires the use of one AI generation. Licensing of source image required to download modified imagery.
March 2024
Modify images from the creative library
On‑site , API, Modify, Creative Library
Refine, Extend, and Remove background are now available for use* on images from the iStock creative library. Customers can instantly add elements, remove backgrounds, create additional sizes, and more—no 3rd‑party photo editor required. Once edits are complete and the background removed, a user can download and license the modified image*. Also, any new AI version they create includes robust legal protections and is safe for commercial use.
*Each modification requires the use of one AI generation. Licensing of source image required to download modified imagery.
*Each modification requires the use of one AI generation. Licensing of source image required to download modified imagery.
February 2024
Generation history
On‑site, API
Access previous generations from the past 6 months, preview thumbnails, sort by date range, and view prompt information all in one place.
January 2024
Added language Support
On‑site , API, Prompts
Upgraded text prompts to support 75 languages.
January 2024
Prompt Builder
On‑site, Prompts
Added an easy‑to‑use tool that guides users in crafting better prompts for the images they want to generate. The user is asked to provide Main Subject, Action, Surroundings, Visual aesthetics, and an optional Negative prompt, then the tool converts those entries into a single prompt that can be used as input for the AI image generator. Only available via our on‑site AI Generator.