Have you ever framed a shot, only to realize later that you needed a wider composition? Or maybe you just want to add some extra breathing room to your scene? Good news—Photoshop’s AI generative fill can help! In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to extend your backgrounds seamlessly, then bring the results into Premiere Pro for a smooth, professional-looking final shot.
Why Extend Your Backgrounds?
Sometimes, in post-production, we find ourselves limited by the framing we originally shot. Maybe a boom mic sneaks into the edge of the frame, or the scene feels too tight. Instead of going for a costly reshoot, Photoshop’s AI tools allow us to extend the background beyond what was originally captured. This can help:
- Fix framing issues
- Add space for text or visual effects
- Enhance the overall composition
- Save time (and budget!) on reshoots
Step 1: Preparing Your Image in Photoshop
First, open your shot in Photoshop. Make sure you have enough resolution to work with—higher quality footage will always yield better results.
- Extend the Canvas: Use the Crop Tool (C) to extend the boundaries of your image.
- Select the Empty Area: Use the Marquee Tool (M) to select the newly added blank space.
- Use Generative Fill: Hit Shift + Backspace (or go to Edit > Fill) and select Generative Fill in the dialog box. Photoshop will analyze the surrounding pixels and generate a realistic extension of your scene.
Step 2: Refining the AI Fill
AI isn’t perfect, so you might need to refine the results:
- Use the Clone Stamp Tool (S) to clean up any weird artifacts.
- Try running the Generative Fill multiple times for different variations.
- Adjust color and exposure with Curves or Levels to blend the extension naturally.
Step 3: Bringing It into Premiere Pro
Once you’re happy with your extended background, it’s time to integrate it into your edit.
- Export your image from Photoshop as a PNG or TIFF.
- Import it into Premiere Pro and place it on a layer above your original footage.
- Use masks and feathering to blend the new background seamlessly with your shot.
- Add some subtle camera movement with keyframes to make it feel more natural.
Real-World Example: Infernalis
In this tutorial, I used footage from “Infernalis,” a short film currently making its rounds in film festivals. The AI background extension helped create a more immersive scene without needing to reshoot. If you want to see this technique in action, check out the full tutorial on my YouTube channel: @1MorePush
Final Thoughts
Using Photoshop’s AI generative fill is a game-changer for filmmakers and editors who want more flexibility in post-production. Whether you’re fixing an issue or just getting creative, this tool can save you time while enhancing your visuals.
If you found this helpful, be sure to check out more editing tips at NicWhiteVideo.com/blog and subscribe to my channel for more tutorials! 🚀
