Nano Banana Tutorial: How to Create Retro Images with Google’s AI Editing Model in 2025

Retro aesthetics are making a strong comeback. From TikTok edits styled like VHS tapes to fashion lookbooks inspired by Polaroid snapshots, the past has become a fresh creative frontier. But until recently, recreating authentic retro looks meant hours in Photoshop or investing in expensive filters.

That’s where Google’s Nano Banana steps in. This AI image editing model is built for fast, context-aware transformations. While most people use it for straightforward edits like removing objects or cleaning up backgrounds, Nano Banana hides a creative superpower: the ability to transform modern photos into retro-style visuals with the right prompts.

In this guide, I’ll explain how Nano Banana works, why it’s perfect for retro editing, and share six retro prompt styles you can start using right away. Along the way, I’ll also point to other resources on AI content creation - from headshot generators to AI video tools - for those who want to go beyond retro visuals.

What is Nano Banana?

Nano Banana is Google’s 2025 AI image editing model. Unlike diffusion models that generate entirely new images, Nano Banana edits existing photos with precision. You upload a photo, describe the change you want, and the model redraws the relevant parts while keeping the rest intact.

This makes it especially powerful for retro workflows. Instead of reshooting with vintage gear or buying preset packs, Nano Banana lets you:

• Apply analog textures like film grain and color fade
  
• Swap outfits into vintage silhouettes
  
• Replace modern objects with retro equivalents
  
• Recreate the look of 70s posters, 80s VHS frames, or 90s glossy ads
  

Another strength of Nano Banana lies in its non-destructive editing. Because it intelligently isolates what needs to change, it avoids over-editing faces or poses. For creators who want to keep personality intact while shifting the visual mood, this is a massive advantage over traditional filters.

For creators thinking about the bigger picture - like how AI fits into the future of the creative economy - Nano Banana represents a shift from tools that only generate to ones that edit and remix with precision.

Why Use Nano Banana for Retro Edits?

• Fast experimentation
  Generate multiple retro looks in seconds, no manual editing required.
  
• Contextual understanding
  A prompt like “turn this into a 1980s VHS still” won’t just add grain - it will also adjust colors, outfits, and lighting.
  
• Consistent transformation
  Perfect for creators working in batches - campaigns, lookbooks, or content series can all look like they came from the same era.
  
• Creative flexibility
  Retro is not one style. From disco glamour to neon-lit arcades, Nano Banana lets you pick your exact aesthetic.
  

On top of this, Nano Banana makes retro scalable. Imagine a fashion brand wanting to launch a campaign where every lookbook feels like it was pulled from a different decade. Instead of hiring stylists and renting sets, a creative team can experiment digitally first, then lock in the strongest direction. That lowers production risks while opening up more creative options.

If you’re a content creator building a full pipeline, this flexibility also pairs well with AI-powered product video generators or even lip-sync tools for creators, helping you move from still retro imagery to motion content seamlessly.

How to Use Nano Banana for Retro Images

1. Upload your source image
   Start with a clear, well-lit photo. Retro edits work best when the subject is easy to see.
   
2. Write a retro-focused prompt
   Mention the decade, the medium (film, VHS, magazine), and details like textures, color palette, or typography.
   
3. Generate multiple variations
   Try small prompt changes to explore different retro moods.
   
   
4. Refine with inpainting
   If one element looks too modern, mask that part and re-edit for accuracy.
   

On top of this, Nano Banana makes retro scalable. Imagine a fashion brand wanting to launch a campaign where every lookbook feels like it was pulled from a different decade. Instead of hiring stylists and renting sets, a creative team can experiment digitally first, then lock in the strongest direction. That lowers production risks while opening up more creative options.

Creators who specialize in influencer content might also find Nano Banana useful for thematic campaigns. Combined with insights on top AI influencers on Instagram, you can design visuals that match current trends while adding a nostalgic twist.

Prompts for Women

1. Bollywood Retro Diva

Prompt:

Generate a photorealistic full-body image of the uploaded person styled as a 1970s Bollywood icon. Place the scene outside a bustling Mumbai cinema premiere, with neon-lit marquee signage and hand-painted movie posters covering the walls. Dress her in dazzling vintage attire - either a sequined gown or a satin jumpsuit with dramatic flared legs, finished with a feather boa or a faux fur stole. Accessorize with tinted oversized shades, chunky golden jewellery, and a glittering clutch. Hair should flow in voluminous curls, paired with bold eyeliner and glossy lips. Populate the background with flashing film cameras, reporters, and fans. Apply warm cinematic tones, authentic film grain, and vintage contrast.

Output:

2. Moody Studio Glow

Prompt:

Design a moody retro portrait of the uploaded person standing under a warm golden-orange spotlight. Behind her, project a soft circular glow on the wall to mimic a stage halo. Let the lighting sculpt her features with dramatic sunset hues while casting a bold profile shadow. Outfit should reflect 70s evening glamour with shimmering fabrics and elegant tailoring. Keep the set minimal - smoky atmosphere, empty studio, strong light falloff. Capture a portrait that feels dramatic, nostalgic, and cinematic in its intimacy.

Output:

3. Black Saree Elegance

Prompt:

Produce a cinematic, high-resolution portrait of the uploaded person wearing a sheer black saree draped across one shoulder over a fitted blouse. Hair flows in long waves with fresh white flowers tucked at the side. Place a warm sidelight on the right, casting a soft shadow of her profile across a plain backdrop. Her gaze should tilt slightly to the right, calm and thoughtful. The final image should feel timeless - an artistic retro frame with gentle film softness.

Output:

Prompts for Men

1. Retro Bollywood Hero

Prompt:

Render a lifelike, full-body portrait of the uploaded person reimagined as a Bollywood superstar of the 1970s. Set the scene at a red-carpet cinema premiere in Mumbai with glowing neon signs and vintage posters as backdrop. Dress him in a sharply tailored wide-collar suit with flared trousers, layered over a patterned silk shirt left slightly unbuttoned. Accessorize with aviators, a silk scarf, or a thick gold chain. Hair should be voluminous with a retro side part, moustache optional. Surround him with paparazzi, vintage flashbulbs, and crowds of excited fans. Grade the image with warm Eastmancolor hues, subtle grain, and cinematic glow.

Output:

2. Smoke and Spotlight

Prompt:

Create a striking studio portrait of the uploaded person posed confidently in a smoky retro setup. Outfit: a bold, slate-blue luxury 70s suit with oversized proportions and wide-leg trousers, styled with a slightly unbuttoned silk shirt. Keep both hands in his pockets, shoulders relaxed, expression self-assured. Illuminate with a strong spotlight cutting through drifting haze, producing sculpted shadows. Keep the studio bare and minimal, with a hazy ambience. The shot should evoke the drama of a vintage magazine spread.

Output:

3. Retro Vinyl Lounge

Prompt:

Visualize the uploaded person as a suave 1970s lounge star. Place him in a dim vinyl lounge with stacks of records behind and a jukebox casting a soft amber glow. Dress him in an open-collar patterned silk shirt, flared trousers, gold chain, and tinted aviators. Pose him reclined on a velvet sofa, one arm resting casually, giving a confident half-smile. Lighting should feel warm and intimate, with faint film grain for authenticity. Capture the mood of a retro jazz club portrait, smooth and charismatic.

Output:

Tips for Better Retro Prompts

• Always anchor the decade - retro is too broad without specifying an era.
  
• Use medium cues (Polaroid, VHS, magazine, film reel) for authenticity.
  
• Mention outfits and fabrics - retro fashion is as important as lighting.
  
• Add texture details like scratches, grain, or glossy finish to sell the effect.
  
• Test multiple lighting moods (sun-washed, neon, flash-heavy) to find the best fit.
  

One underrated trick is to borrow real design language from the past. For example, referencing “Kodachrome tones” or “Eastmancolor cinema palette” often yields more accurate results than vague terms like “warm vintage look.” This is where research pays off: the more specific your retro vocabulary, the better Nano Banana performs.

Tool Evaluation: Nano Banana in Context

Compared to other AI image editors, Nano Banana feels less like a filter engine and more like a precision remixer.

• Adobe Firefly → Strong at generative design, but lacks the cultural depth of retro contextual cues.
• Runway Gen-3 → Excellent for AI video, but less suited to still retro imagery.
• Canva AI Editor → Accessible and fast, though better for simple social content.
• Nano Banana → Best for nuanced, pose-locked transformations where era-specific detail matters.

In practice, many professionals use Nano Banana alongside other AI tools. A photoshoot concept might begin in Nano Banana, then expand into full video production using Runway, or be repurposed into headshots for campaign rollouts using a headshot generator. This cross-tool workflow is where AI editing shines in 2025.

Conclusion

Nano Banana is more than just a smart editing tool - it’s a retro time machine. With the six prompt styles above, you can turn modern images into convincing artifacts of past decades. Whether you want the casual intimacy of a Polaroid, the cinematic drama of black-and-white film, or the neon glow of an arcade, Nano Banana makes the process instant and repeatable.

In 2025, retro isn’t just about nostalgia - it’s a creative strategy. And with Nano Banana, you don’t have to fake it. You can generate the past, frame by frame.