AI video & content

Image-to-video and aspect ratios

Learn how to use reference images for AI video, choose the right aspect ratio, and prepare content for social platforms.

6 min readLast updated: May 2026

Reference image

Product or scene still

Motion & settings

Slow camera push-in, subtle motion, warm cinematic style

9:161:116:94:5

ReelsTikTokShortsLinkedInYouTube

Video preview

Generated clip

Image-to-video starts from a still you provide, then adds motion based on your prompt and settings. Choosing the right reference image and aspect ratio early helps you avoid unnecessary cropping and rework later.

What image-to-video is best for

Image-to-video is useful when you want to animate a specific visual, keep a product, character, or scene more consistent, create movement from a still design, or turn brand assets into short-form video.

It is often a better fit than text-to-video alone when the look of a photo, mockup, or product shot should carry through to the clip.

Availability can depend on your plan, selected model, and workflow.

Prepare a strong reference image

Use a clear subject.

Avoid cluttered backgrounds unless they are intentional.

Use high-quality images where possible.

Make sure text and logos are readable before generation.

Leave space for captions if the video will be used on social.

Avoid uploading visuals you do not have rights to use.

Add motion instructions

The prompt should tell Flikly what kind of movement you want on top of the reference image. Examples include:

“slow camera push-in”
“subtle product rotation”
“gentle background motion”
“person walking toward camera”
“cinematic handheld movement”
“no major subject changes”

Keep motion instructions simple when preserving the original image matters. Too much movement can push the model away from the still you uploaded.

Choose the right aspect ratio

Pick the ratio that matches where the video will live. Platform requirements can change, so treat these as common starting points—not strict rules for every account.

Ratio	Common uses
9:16 vertical	TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and other mobile-first short video.
1:1 square	Feed posts, previews, and general social placements that use a square frame.
4:5 portrait	Instagram- and Facebook-style feed posts that use a taller portrait frame.
16:9 landscape	YouTube, website embeds, presentations, and wide video layouts.

Aspect ratio tips by goal

Short-form social

Choose vertical when mobile viewing matters, such as Reels, TikTok, or Shorts.

Product demos

Use vertical for short-form social demos or landscape for website and YouTube-style placements.

Brand visuals

Keep important elements away from edges so cropping is less likely to cut them off.

Captions

Leave safe space near the lower third for captions or on-screen text added later.

Repurposing

Choose the ratio that matches the final platform before generating when you can, instead of cropping heavily afterward.

Common image-to-video mistakes

Starting with a blurry or low-resolution image.
Asking for too much motion when you want the scene to stay close to the still.
Cropping important elements before upload.
Using an image with very small text.
Mixing conflicting style instructions in the motion prompt.
Choosing an aspect ratio that does not fit the target platform.

Review and refine the result

Is the subject still recognizable?
Did the motion match the prompt?
Is the crop safe for the platform?
Are captions or overlays readable?
Does the first second create interest?
Should you regenerate, trim, caption, or split?

Credits, speed, and plan availability

Image-to-video may use credits depending on workflow, selected model, duration, resolution, and your plan. Credits are usage units, not minutes of video.

Some models, quality settings, or image-to-video workflows may not be available on every plan. Generation time can vary by model, provider availability, duration, and resolution—not every clip finishes in the same amount of time.

For credit details, see Understanding credits and plan limits. For model and workflow guidance, see Choosing a model: Runway, Luma, Pika, and more.

Common issues

Why did my image change too much?

Use simpler motion instructions and a cleaner reference image. Ask for subtle movement when preserving the original look matters.

Why was part of my image cropped?

Match the aspect ratio to your final platform and keep important elements away from edges before you generate.

Which aspect ratio should I choose?

Use 9:16 for most short-form mobile video, 16:9 for wide video, and 1:1 or 4:5 for feed-style content. Platform requirements can change over time.

Why is image-to-video unavailable?

Availability can depend on your plan, selected model, workflow, or provider availability at the time you generate.

Why is text in my image distorted?

AI video models may not preserve small text perfectly. Keep critical wording in captions or overlays added after generation when accuracy matters.

Should I use image-to-video or text-to-video?

Use image-to-video when preserving a specific visual matters. Use text-to-video when you are starting from an open-ended idea without a reference image.

Next steps

Continue with these AI video & content guides.

Still need help?

Visit the Help Center or contact support if you need help with image-to-video or aspect ratios.