Instagram is full of AI-generated images these days, but not all stunning edits are created by artificial intelligence. In fact, I edited my own real photo to look like the trendy “ChatGPT Edit” — without using any AI image generator.
In this article, I’ll share how I transformed my original image using manual editing tools to achieve a dramatic and eye-catching look that people often mistake for AI. From lighting adjustments to color grading and realistic background enhancements, this process gives your photo a unique cinematic feel — all while keeping your real identity intact.
Forget avatars or fake faces — this is your own photo, elevated with creativity. Scroll down to see the final result and learn how you too can edit your photo like a pro using simple mobile apps or desktop software.
“Step-by-Step Guide to Edit Your Real Photo in ChatGPT Style”
1. Download the App:
Go to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and search for apps like “AI Avatar Generator,” “Remini,” or “Face AI.” If you’re using ChatGPT Pro (with image features), visit chat.openai.com and log in.
2. Upload Your Photo:
Once inside the app or tool, you’ll be asked to upload a clear photo of yourself. Choose a high-quality image with good lighting for best results.
3. Select a Style or Prompt:
Pick a theme like “Royal,” “Cyberpunk,” “Vintage,” or even type a custom prompt such as:
“A cinematic portrait of me in royal dress with a moody background.”
4. Generate & Download:
Click generate, wait for the AI to process your request, and download your image once it’s ready. Share it on Instagram with the tag #ChatGPTedit for trend visibility.
✅ “ChatGPT Styled Photo Edits with Prompts”
Prompt 1 :
A dramatic black and white portrait of a confident looking man (uploaded image for reference) sitting on a wooden stool against a dark studio background. He is wearing a well-fitted, all-black suit with a black shirt, and black pan golden chain at naki and small silver watch slightly unbuttoned at the top, exuding a moody and powerful aura. His posture is relaxed yet dominant, with one arm resting on his leg and the other one in his pant pocket The lighting is soft but directional.
2. Prompt:-
sitting on a wooden chair in a dimly lit vintage room. He has wears a skin colour oversized jacket. The sunlight filters through window blinds, casting dramatic striped shadows across his face and the wall. The atmosphere feels nostalgic and contemplative, with a soft golden hue and warm tones.PIs Face should remain same. 9:16 ratio.
Prompt 3 :
Visualise me as A young man wearing drop shoulder t-shirt and baggy jeans confidently leaning against my customised BMW E46 M3. The car is modified and blue and silver paintijob is done modernly street racing aesthetic.I am in a middle of a busy Phaka city road where people are rushing in motion. The style is inspired by a street racing game Need for speed.
Prompt 4 :
A highly stylized portrait of me with sharp features, flawless fair skin, and sleek black hair, wearing a black turtleneck sweater. natic, I’m standing against a bold navy gradient background, cofidenly crossing his arm and re showing a stylish wristwatch with blue dial and brown strap. The lighting is dramatic and cinematic, emphasizing his facial structure and giving luxury fashion magazine vibe.
Prompt 5 :
A highly stylized portrait of me with sharp features, flawless fair skin, and sleek black hair, wearing a black turtleneck sweater. natic, I’m standing against a bold navy gradient background, cofidenly crossing his arm and re showing a stylish wristwatch with blue dial and brown strap. The lighting is dramatic and cinematic, emphasizing his facial structure and giving luxury fashion magazine vibe.
Prompt 6 :
silver Trishul symbol at the center, black cargo pants, black sunglasses, and a silver chain. He stands casually with hands in his pockets against a clean gradient background (deep navy to sky blue), looking straight at the camera. No text or logos in the background. Use shallow depth of field. Shot on a Canon EOS R5 + RF 85mm f/1.2L lens, studio lighting 12K resolution, cinematic editorial fashion shoot style.
Prompt 7 :
A dramatic black and white portrait of a confident looking man (uploaded image for reference) sitting on a wooden stool against a dark studio background. He is wearing a well-fitted, all-black suit with a black shirt, and black pan golden chain at naki and small silver watch slightly unbuttoned at the top, exuding a moody and powerful aura. His posture is relaxed yet dominant, with one armresting on his leg and the other one in his pant pocket The lighting is soft but directional.
Prompt 8 :
Convert this image into a aesthetic 0.6 lens portrait of a boy standing leaning against a wall under a dramatic spotlight in a construction building. with the same face as uploaded image. The boy wears a blue danim jaket with black jeans and wears a classy sunglasses. His hands are in his jeans pockets, and the light is nightmare. The final output must look hyper realistic with sharp details.
Prompt 9 :-
Cinematic shot of me walking against a rushing cyber city crowd, all others are blurred with motion trails, slow-shutter, im in focus, (age21) side profile- serious looking at a. far distance, it’s raininv and I am soaked. Wearing a long trench coat. Neon cyberpunk tones, 35mm film look, cmbient lighting from neon signs ratio:9:16
Prompt 10 :-
Make the reference photo with styled hair, wearing sunglasses and a brown bomber jacket over a beige t-shirt, sitting on a black Royal Enfield motorcycle. The background is dark and moody with dramatic lighting and smoke, giving a cinematic and intense atmosphere. The man looks directly at the camera with a serious expression. The lighting highlights the textures of the jacket and motorcycle. Shot with a shallow depth of field, Giving 4k pic
Prompt 11 :
Lighting should be soft and studio-style: a warm front light casting smooth shadows on my face, and a teal rim light from the left (my right side) for dramatic color contrast. Make the skin look realistic with a smooth, slightly matte texture. Style it like a fashion magazine editorial shot, sharp focus, shallow depth of field, with ultra- clean professional look”
Prompt 12 :-
Create a high-contrast close-up portrait of the referenced man. The image should depict only the left half of his face, partially submerged in water, with water droplets and bubbles visible on his skin and hair. llluminate the left side of the face dramatically, casting the rest into deep shadow. dark background. detail in skin texture, beard stubble, and eye focus to evoke a moody cinematic atmosphere. 3:4 orientation. Make.
Prompt 13 :-
Transform this selfie into a cinematic Stranger Things-style poster with 99% accuracy. Place the person (from the selfie) at the top center, looking slightly upwards with dramatic red and orange glowing light reflecting on their face. Below them, create a fiery Upside Down scene:dark city ruins, black tendrils spreading, and a tall demonic creature with outstretched limbs surrounded by flying demobats. Use glowing lava cracks on the ground, floating debris, and an apocalyptic red sky with lightning. Don’t change my face keep it samw. Add the text “HAWKINS WILL FALL’ in a clean serif font at the center, and the ‘Stranger Things’ logo at the bottom, with the number 5 underneath. Stylized like a high-resolution Netflix poster. Cinematic, dark fantasy, apocalyptic tone poster style, ultra-detailed
Prompt 14:-
hyper-realistic 4K image of a young man leaping dramatically off the front of a sleek, futuristic spaceship that’s being pulled into a massive swirling black hole. The man is wearing a stylish off white long blazer, black pants and formal shoes He has expressive eyes behind modern glasses, well-defined realistic facial features, and perfectly styled hair. His pose is dynamic and action-packed as he escapes the gravitational pull. The spaceship is angular, glowing with energy, and emitting bright blue thrusters. In the background, a vivid cosmic scene shows countless stars, distant planets, and a huge black hole with swirling orange and yellow light. Cinematic, high-contrast lighting and photorealistic details throughout.
Prompt 15 :
A cinematic double exposure of a man in profile, with a post-apocalyptic cityscape inside his silhouette. The inner scene shows the man walking through a destroyed, burning urban street, buildings in ruins, glowing embers and fire, with a dramatic sunset in the background. Moody lighting, warm tones, emotional and introspective mood, high detail, 8K resolution