Imagen 3: Google's Photorealistic AI Image Generator
When you need images that look like actual photographs - product shots, lifestyle scenes, and realistic visuals.
Some AI images look obviously AI-generated. Imagen 3 is Google's answer to that problem. It's specifically optimised for photorealism - images that could pass as real photographs.
What is Imagen 3?
Imagen 3 is Google's dedicated photorealistic image model. While Gemini models are versatile across styles, Imagen 3 focuses on one thing: making images that look genuinely photographed.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Max Resolution | 2048x2048 |
| Speed | Quality-focused |
| Reference Images | Supported |
| Inpainting | Yes |
| Token Cost | 3,500 |
| Best For | Photorealistic images, product shots, lifestyle photography |
When to Use Imagen 3
Product photography
E-commerce shots, product mockups, packaging visualisation. Imagen 3 handles materials, reflections, and lighting like a real camera would.
Lifestyle and editorial
Images that look like they came from a photoshoot. People in environments, action shots, candid moments.
Real-world scenes
Architecture, interiors, landscapes, food photography - anything that needs to look genuinely captured.
Inpainting tasks
Imagen 3's inpainting support means you can modify specific areas of an image while keeping the rest intact. Useful for:
- Removing unwanted objects
- Changing specific elements
- Extending image boundaries
When NOT to Use It
- Illustrations or stylised graphics → Use DALL-E 3 or Gemini
- Text-heavy images → Use Gemini 3 Pro Image (Nano Banana Pro)
- Quick iteration → Use Gemini 2.5 Flash
- Abstract or artistic work → Use DALL-E 3
Prompt Examples
// Product shot
Professional product photography of a ceramic coffee mug on a marble countertop. Morning light from a window on the left. Steam rising from the coffee. Shallow depth of field, shot on a 50mm lens. Clean, minimal, premium feel.
// Lifestyle scene
Candid photo of a young professional working on a laptop in a bright cafe. Natural window light, bokeh background. Authentic, not posed. Shot on 35mm, warm colour grading.
// Food photography
Overhead shot of a rustic wooden table with Italian antipasti spread. Prosciutto, olives, fresh bread, cheese. Natural daylight, slight shadows. Food magazine editorial style.
// Interior photography
Wide-angle interior photo of a modern Scandinavian living room. White walls, light wood floors, minimal furniture. Large windows with natural light. Architectural photography style.
// Architecture
Exterior photograph of a contemporary glass office building at golden hour. Reflections of clouds in the windows. Shot from street level, slight upward angle. Urban architectural photography.
Photography Terminology That Works
Imagen 3 responds well to actual photography terms:
Camera settings
- "Shot on 35mm / 50mm / 85mm lens"
- "Shallow depth of field"
- "Wide aperture, f/1.8"
- "Long exposure"
Lighting
- "Golden hour lighting"
- "Soft diffused light"
- "Hard shadows"
- "Rim lighting"
- "Natural window light"
Composition
- "Rule of thirds"
- "Leading lines"
- "Negative space"
- "Overhead / bird's eye view"
- "Eye level"
Style references
- "Editorial style"
- "Commercial photography"
- "Documentary style"
- "Fine art photography"
Inpainting: Edit Specific Areas
Imagen 3's inpainting feature lets you modify parts of an image:
How it works
- Upload your image
- Describe what you want to change and where
- The model edits only that area, keeping the rest intact
Example prompts:
- "Remove the person in the background on the right side"
- "Replace the sky with a dramatic sunset"
- "Change the wall colour to sage green"
- "Add a plant in the empty corner"
This is powerful for:
- Cleaning up generated images
- Customising stock-style photos
- Creating variations without regenerating entirely
Imagen 3 vs Gemini for Photos
| Need | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Maximum photorealism | Imagen 3 |
| Speed + good enough quality | Gemini 2.5 Flash |
| Photorealism + text in image | Gemini 3 Pro Image |
| Editing existing images | Imagen 3 (inpainting) or Gemini 2.5 Pro |
| 4K resolution | Gemini 3 Pro Image |
Imagen 3 wins on pure photorealism. Gemini wins on versatility and text.
Imagen 3 in ChilledSites
Select Imagen 3 from the model dropdown.
Token cost: 3,500 tokens per image.
Best for: Product photography, lifestyle shots, any image that needs to look like a real photograph rather than AI-generated.
Summary
Use Imagen 3 when you need:
- Photorealistic quality that passes as real
- Product and lifestyle photography
- Inpainting and selective editing
- Professional-grade visual content
It's the specialist - not as versatile as Gemini, but unmatched for photorealism.