Sora 2 Image Input Guide: Using Reference Images for Perfect Results

One of Sora 2's most powerful features is image input - the ability to provide reference images that guide video generation for unprecedented visual consistency and control.

What is Image Input?

Image input allows you to upload a reference image alongside your text prompt. Sora 2 uses this image to understand:

• Visual style and aesthetic
• Subject appearance and details
• Color palette and mood
• Composition and framing
• Lighting characteristics

Think of it as showing a cinematographer a reference photo before shooting - they understand your vision visually, not just through words.

Why Use Image Input?

Without Image Input (Text Only):

"A red sports car on a coastal highway"

→ Sora interprets "red sports car" generically → Varies between generations → May not match your brand/vision

With Image Input:

Text: "Red sports car driving on coastal highway"
Image: [Your specific Ferrari model photo]

→ Sora matches your exact car design → Consistent across generations → Perfect for brand content

Primary Use Cases

1. Character Consistency

Challenge: Generating multiple videos with the same character

Solution: Provide character reference image

Example:

• Image: Professional headshot of your spokesperson
• Prompt: "Woman presenting product benefits, professional corporate setting"
• Result: Generated videos maintain her appearance across all clips

Best For:

• Brand spokesperson videos
• Animated character series
• Tutorial series with same host
• Story-driven content with recurring characters

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2. Product Accuracy

Challenge: AI interpretation of product details may vary

Solution: Upload actual product photography

Example:

• Image: High-quality product photo (smartphone)
• Prompt: "Smartphone rotating 360 degrees, clean white background, studio lighting"
• Result: Accurate product representation in generated video

Best For:

• E-commerce product videos
• Product demonstrations
• Unboxing content
• Feature showcases

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3. Art Direction & Mood

Challenge: Describing visual style precisely with text is difficult

Solution: Provide mood board or style reference image

Example:

• Image: Wes Anderson film still (pastel colors, symmetrical composition)
• Prompt: "Person walking through hotel lobby"
• Result: Video with Wes Anderson's distinctive aesthetic

Best For:

• Matching brand guidelines
• Cinematic style requirements
• Specific color palette needs
• Artistic projects

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4. Location Specificity

Challenge: Generic location descriptions lack detail

Solution: Upload photo of actual location

Example:

• Image: Photo of your cafe interior
• Prompt: "Barista making coffee, busy cafe atmosphere"
• Result: Video set in YOUR specific cafe

Best For:

• Location-specific marketing
• Real estate videos
• Business showcases
• Event promotion

Image Input Best Practices

1. Image Quality Matters

Minimum Requirements:

• Resolution: 1080p or higher
• Format: JPG or PNG
• File size: Under 10MB
• Lighting: Well-lit, clear visibility

Optimal Images: ✅ High resolution (1080p+) ✅ Good lighting ✅ Clear subject focus ✅ Minimal motion blur ✅ Professional photography

❌ Avoid:

• Low resolution/pixelated
• Poor lighting/underexposed
• Blurry or out of focus
• Heavily filtered/edited
• Complex/cluttered compositions

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2. Single Subject Focus

Good Reference Images:

• One clear main subject
• Minimal background distractions
• Subject well-framed and centered
• Clear details visible

Example - Product Photo: ✅ Clean product shot, white background, clear details ❌ Product in cluttered scene with multiple objects

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3. Match Image to Intent

Your reference image should align with your video goal.

For Character Consistency:

• Use front-facing portrait
• Neutral expression
• Good lighting on face
• Clear facial features

For Product Videos:

• Professional product photography
• Multiple angles if possible
• Clean background
• Clear branding visible

For Style Reference:

• Image that embodies desired aesthetic
• Strong visual style
• Clear mood/atmosphere
• Representative of target look

Advanced Techniques

Technique 1: Multiple Image Inputs

Some workflows benefit from providing multiple reference images:

Approach:

1. Main subject image (character/product)
2. Style reference (mood/aesthetic)
3. Location reference (environment)

Use Case: Brand video featuring specific spokesperson in specific location with specific visual style

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Technique 2: Image + Detailed Prompt

Combine image input with highly detailed text prompt for maximum control.

Template:

Image: [Reference photo]

Prompt: [Character from image] [performing specific action]
in [environment details], [camera work], [lighting],
[style and mood]

Example:

• Image: Product photo of blue sneaker
• Prompt: "The blue sneaker rotating slowly on black pedestal, close-up shot, dramatic side lighting creating shadow contrast, luxury commercial aesthetic, shot on RED camera"

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Technique 3: Consistent Multi-Video Series

Create video series with perfect consistency:

Process:

1. Generate Video 1 with image input
2. Use same image for Video 2
3. Use same image for Video 3
4. Maintain character/product consistency across series

Perfect For:

• Tutorial series
• Product feature breakdown (multiple videos)
• Story episodes
• Brand campaign (multiple clips)

Image Input + Remix Combination

Powerful Workflow:

1. Generate initial video with image input
2. Review result - maintains visual consistency?
3. Remix with same image + refinement prompt
4. Iterate until perfect

Example:

• Initial: Image of CEO + "CEO discussing company vision"
• Remix 1: Same image + "Adjust camera to low angle, add more confident gestures"
• Remix 2: Same image + "Brighten lighting, warmer tone"
• Result: Perfect CEO video with consistent appearance

Common Image Input Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using Low-Quality Images

❌ Blurry phone screenshot ✅ High-resolution professional photo

Mistake 2: Conflicting Prompt and Image

❌ Image: Daytime outdoor scene → Prompt: "at night indoors" ✅ Image: Daytime outdoor scene → Prompt: "during sunny afternoon outdoors"

Mistake 3: Too Complex Reference Image

❌ Busy scene with 10 people and multiple focal points ✅ Clear shot of single subject against simple background

Mistake 4: Not Describing the Image in Prompt

❌ Prompt ignores elements in reference image ✅ Prompt references specific elements: "The man shown in the image..."

Practical Workflow Example

Goal: Create product demo video for new wireless earbuds

Step 1: Prepare reference image

• Take high-quality photo of earbuds
• Clean white background
• Good lighting showing details
• Multiple angles captured

Step 2: Create initial prompt with image

Image: earbuds_reference.jpg
Prompt: "The wireless earbuds rotating slowly on white surface,
close-up shot showing design details, soft studio lighting,
premium product commercial style"

Step 3: Review and remix if needed

• Generated video matches product perfectly
• Remix to adjust rotation speed or lighting
• All iterations maintain earbud appearance

Step 4: Create variations for different uses

• Same image + different scenarios
• "earbuds being placed in charging case"
• "earbuds worn by person, showing fit"
• Perfect consistency across all videos

Using PromptVid with Image Input

1. Analyze TikTok reference with PromptVid
2. Identify key visual elements to preserve
3. Capture reference images of those elements
4. Generate with image input + PromptVid's prompt
5. Compare results - adjust as needed

Conclusion

Image input transforms Sora 2 from purely AI interpretation to precise visual control:

Key Benefits:

• Consistency: Same subject across multiple videos
• Accuracy: Exact product/character representation
• Control: Visual style and aesthetic matching
• Efficiency: Less trial-and-error generation

Remember:

• Use high-quality reference images
• Match image to your specific use case
• Combine with detailed prompts for best results
• Leverage for series/campaign consistency

Start with PromptVid to analyze what visuals work, capture your reference images, then use Sora 2's image input for perfect, consistent video generation!