Portrait lighting
Relight a photoFor a warmer portrait, try Top Right with the Sunrise light template. Compare the face, skin texture, and eye highlights with the source, and check whether the nose shadow follows the new direction.
How to Relight a Photo with AI
To relight a photo with AI, upload your image, choose a light direction and lighting template, then generate and compare the result. This guide helps you make those choices for portraits, products, and interiors. Relighting aims to change where light falls and the mood of a scene; increasing brightness alone does not move the light source.
How to Relight a Photo with AI
Start with one photo and one lighting goal. Follow these four steps, then use the selection tables below if you are unsure what to choose.
Step 1. Upload a clear source photo
Use a JPEG, PNG, or WebP up to 30 MB. Choose a photo with readable faces, edges, and surface details. A heavily clipped or very dark source gives you less detail to compare after the edit.
Step 2. Choose the light direction
Drag the direction sphere or use a direction button. Start with Front for a straightforward comparison, or Top Left or Top Right for angled light. Keep the original windows and shadows in mind when choosing a new direction.
Step 3. Choose a lighting template
Start with Natural light to assess the direction. Try Sunrise light for a warmer mood, or Blue hour for a cooler one. Keep the direction fixed while comparing templates so you can tell which change you prefer.
Step 4. Generate and compare
Review the displayed credits and generate one image. Output dimensions are chosen automatically. Compare the result with the source before downloading. If something looks wrong, change the light direction or template, or replace the source and try again.
Choosing Light Direction and Lighting Templates
Direction controls where the light comes from. A lighting template sets its color and atmosphere. Choose the direction for the subject's shape, then the template for the mood.
Choose a direction for your goal
Your goalStarting directionWhat to check
A clear, evenly readable subject
Front
Check that the face or product has not become flat or overly bright.
An angled portrait or more visible product shape
Top Left or Top Right
Compare the shadow side and check eye, nose, and surface highlights.
Stronger side lighting
Left or Right
Make sure the darker side still has usable detail.
A dramatic overhead, low, or rear-lit look
Top, Bottom, or Rear
Inspect the face and outline carefully; these directions can be harder to match to the original scene.
Choose a template for the mood
Your goalLighting templateWhat to check
A neutral baseline
Natural light
Check skin tones and white surfaces before trying a stronger treatment.
A warmer or vintage mood
Sunrise light or HK vintage
Check that warm color does not distort skin or the product's original color.
A cooler evening or night mood
Blue hour or Moonlight
Check dark areas and whether the background still fits the new mood.
A colored, stylized scene
Spectral cyan, Cyberpunk neon, Cinematic red, or Neon haze
Check skin, labels, and reflective surfaces for unwanted color changes.
Portrait, Product and Interior Relighting Examples
These AI-created illustrations show possible lighting changes, not verified outputs from the tool. The suggestions below are starting points to try with each source photo; your result may differ.
Product lighting
Relight a photoFor more definition on a product, try Left with Natural light. Check the bottle shape, original color, and label, then look for reflections and a contact shadow that agree with the lighting.
Interior lighting
Relight a photoFor a warmer interior, try light from the same side as the visible window with Sunrise light. Check furniture edges, floor shadows, and reflections; a new bright area should fit the room's layout.
Check Your Result and Fix Common Problems
Compare the source and result at full size. Keep an edit only when both the lighting and the subject details work. Use this checklist before downloading or publishing.
ProblemWhat to inspectWhat to try next
Two shadows or conflicting light
Shadow direction under the nose, product, or furniture
Choose a direction closer to the original light, or use a more evenly lit source.
Overly bright highlights
Forehead, glass, metal, and white surfaces
Try Natural light or a different direction. Lost detail in the source may not be recoverable.
Reflections do not match
Eyes, glossy packaging, mirrors, and windows
Reduce the change in direction or replace the source. Do not use a result with visibly conflicting reflections.
Face or object changed
Facial features, pose, geometry, color, and crop
Try a clearer source and a less pronounced lighting change; reject results that alter important details.
Text or logo changed
Every letter and small mark against the original
Try a sharper source and compare again. Do not publish an altered label or logo.
FAQ
How to add lighting to a picture?
Choose a direction that fits the scene, then a lighting template. Generate and check how the shadows and highlights changed. For a first attempt, use Natural light and change the direction before comparing other templates.
How to edit lighting in a photo?
Decide whether you want a brighter image or a different light source. For relighting, adjust direction and template separately. For a small brightness correction, a regular photo editor may be enough.
Is relighting the same as changing brightness?
No. Brightness adjustments change how light or dark the image appears. Relighting aims to change the apparent source direction, shadows, highlights, and lighting atmosphere.
Which lighting template should I start with?
Start with Natural light for a neutral comparison. Once the direction works, try a warmer, cooler, or colored template. Keep the source and direction unchanged while comparing.
Can relighting change a face or product?
Yes, generated edits can alter details. Compare identity, shape, material, color, and composition with the source. Keep only results that meet your needs.
Can AI relighting preserve text and logos?
It can attempt to preserve them, but small lettering may change. Check every label and logo at full size; reject any result that changes important text.
Relight Your Photo with a Clear Goal
Upload one photo, choose a direction and lighting template, then compare the result with the source.