Lesson Content

What style reference images do in Firefly.

Firefly's style reference feature (verify current availability at firefly.adobe.com) allows uploading an existing image that guides the aesthetic character of new generations – color palette, lighting quality, tonal treatment, and overall visual feel. Rather than relying entirely on text description to establish aesthetic direction, a style reference image provides a concrete visual target that supplements text prompt direction.

Selecting effective style reference images.

Effective style reference images have clear, consistent aesthetic character: strong color identity (distinctive palette that's easy to read); consistent lighting and tonal character (not mixed lighting types or multiple conflicting light sources); and a clear visual style (obviously photography vs. illustration vs. fine art). Avoid reference images with complex competing aesthetics or unclear visual character – images where the dominant visual quality is hard to identify produce inconsistent style transfer.

Combining style reference with text prompts.

Style reference works alongside text prompts – not instead of them. The text prompt directs subject, environment, and content; the style reference guides the aesthetic treatment of that content. A text prompt describing a subject in an environment combined with a style reference establishing the color and lighting character produces more consistent results than either alone. The style reference's aesthetic should complement the text prompt's subject – a dramatic high-contrast photographic reference doesn't pair naturally with a "soft, delicate floral arrangement" subject.

Evaluating style reference influence on output.

Style reference influence varies by reference image quality and prompt alignment: strong, clear references with complementary prompt subjects produce visible and consistent style influence; weak or mismatched combinations produce partial or inconsistent influence. Evaluate output against the reference image: Does the color palette reflect the reference? Does the lighting character match? Is the tonal treatment consistent with the reference? If influence is weaker than intended, adjust the text prompt to reduce conflicting aesthetic direction.