Nano Banana

September 2025: 

Google’s Gemini AI App Has Gone Bananas!

A couple of weeks ago, Google released an update to its popular AI app Gemini. Called Nano Banana, it allows users to easily transform, blend, and edit images while keeping people and pets looking consistent from one edit to the next. You can change backgrounds, outfits, or styles using simple instructions, blend different photos together, and even apply the style of one image to objects in another - all with natural, conversational commands. This update makes advanced and realistic image editing accessible to everyone, and all AI-edited images are clearly watermarked for transparency (i.e., so others will know the image was AI generated).

To use the new tool, enter the following address in your web browser and press Enter:

https://gemini.google.com/app

In the “Ask Gemini” window:

1. Click on Tools, and then

2. Click on Create images

You’ll be prompted to “Describe your image” but that’s not the real fun! Have a look at this article I found online where the author tried using Nano Banana to make edits to an existing digital photo she uploaded to the tool. To upload one of your own photos (it takes a copy, while leaving your original intact), click on the “+” sign beside Tools.

All of a sudden, you’re able to make amazing changes to your picture. I had to try it out. 

I uploaded the below photo of myself that I took on January 2, 2009. Yes, it’s grainy; I think I used an early model Blackberry (Research in Motion) smartphone.

Then I typed the following into the “Describe your image” field:

“Edit the uploaded image to make it appear that the person in the photo is sitting outside. There's a slightly cloudy sky with green grass and hills in the background. A mature oak tree can be seen toward the right edge of the picture. The person in the photo is holding a glass of wine in his right hand.”

After about 10-15 seconds of thinking, Nano Banana displayed this image:

Wow! Stunning realism and image clarity, though the wine is in my left hand! You’ll notice the little diamond in the lower right corner of the picture; that’s a permanent watermark on the image that declares the picture was created by Gemini.

Not impressed yet? Next I entered a new set of commands:

“Change the person's appearance so he's wearing a tuxedo.”

Another 10-15 seconds later, I was dressed for a formal event.

Okay, I want some company:

“Add an anthropomorphic beluga whale and an anthropomorphic lioness in the background. ”

Here’s what I got back:

How about that - they even came dressed appropriately! Let's change the location now:

“Replace the background with a tropical beach with azure, blue waves lapping along the shoreline.”

My friends look a bit lonely back behind me:

"Move the person in the foreground to be closer to the objects in the background."

Okay, the hors d'oeuvres are about to be served. Cheers!

I encourage you to try playing around with Nano Banana and see what you can do with photos of you, loved ones, family, pets, or other people in your life.