Extend a Photo’s Background with Generative Expand in Photoshop
Need more room around your subject? Photoshop’s Generative Expand can extend your canvas and intelligently fill the newly added areas to match the scene. You’ll set a crop ratio, expand the canvas, and generate matching background with or without a text prompt.
Step-by-step instructions
Open your image
Open Photoshop, then File → Open and select your image (or drag and drop it into Photoshop).
Ensure the image layer is selected in the Layers panel.
Set up the Crop tool and expand the canvas
Select the Crop Tool (C).
In the Options bar, set Ratio to 16:9 (or your preferred ratio).
Drag the crop handles outward to add empty space where you want the background extended.
Choose Fill: Generative Expand
In the Options bar, set Fill → Generative Expand.
Click the checkmark (Commit) in the Options bar to apply the crop.
Generate the extended background
When prompted, type a description or leave the prompt blank for an automatic match.
Click Generate and wait for results.
In the Properties panel, review the 3 variations and select your favorite.
Click Generate again for more variations if needed.
Optional: Use the Contextual Task Bar
Go to Window → Contextual Task Bar if it’s hidden.
Click Generative Expand from the bar to repeat or refine the extension.
