Retro-style images never go out of fashion. From Instagram reels to creative photo albums, people love the nostalgic vibe of vintage photo edits. With the rise of AI-powered tools like Nano Banana, transforming your ordinary pictures into stunning retro visuals has become easier than ever.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through 12 Nano Banana prompts that will instantly convert your modern photos into retro masterpieces. Whether you’re a beginner experimenting with AI prompts or a professional editor looking to save time, these examples will help you create authentic 70s, 80s, and 90s-inspired looks.
What is Nano Banana?
Nano Banana is an AI photo-editing model designed to generate creative filters and effects using prompt-based inputs. Instead of spending hours on Photoshop, you can simply type a few words, and Nano Banana will convert your photo into the exact retro style you want.
Think of it like having a smart assistant that understands design aesthetics and instantly applies them to your pictures.
Why Use Retro Prompts in Nano Banana?
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Nostalgia factor: Retro designs trigger emotions and memories.
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Social media engagement: Vintage filters often perform better on platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok.
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Creative versatility: Perfect for posters, album covers, and digital art.
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Time-saving: No manual editing needed – just prompts.
12 Nano Banana Prompts for Retro Photo Editing
Here are 12 tested and refined prompts you can use directly in Nano Banana. Each comes with a short description of how it transforms your photo.
1. Bollywood-retro Look
Prompt:
Create a full-length photorealistic image of the uploaded person as a 1970s Bollywood superstar. Scene: outside a Mumbai cinema hall during a film premiere, marquee glowing in neon, vintage Bollywood posters on the walls. The subject is styled in Western-inspired Bollywood glamour of the 1970s, a shimmering sequined evening gown or satin jumpsuit with flared bottoms, a feather boa or faux fur stole draped over the shoulders, and platform heels. Accessories include oversized tinted sunglasses, chunky jewellery, and a clutch bag. Hair styled in voluminous waves or a glamorous blow-dry, with bold eyeliner and glossy lipstick completing the look. Surround them with flashing cameras, paparazzi holding vintage film cameras, and a crowd of fans reaching out for autographs. Add authentic 1970s colour grading (warm tones, film grain, cinematic contrast). Capture the aura of a confident, glamorous star making a grand entrance – charismatic, stylish, and larger-than-life.
Output:
2. Moody Studio Portrait
Prompt:
This is a photo of me. Craft a moody studio portrait of the uploaded person bathed in a golden-orange spotlight that creates a glowing circular halo behind them on the wall. The warm light should sculpt the face and upper body with soft, sunset-like tones while casting a strong head shadow to the right. Style the person.
Output:
3. Paris Night-Time Portrait
Prompt:
Create an ultra-realistic night-time portrait from this photo, standing near the Arc de Triomphe at Place Charles de Gaulle in Paris.
Background: The Arc de Triomphe is fully visible and brightly illuminated in the center of the frame, with deep shadows and warm street lights glowing softly in the background. The classic ‘Place Charles de Gaulle’ street sign is clearly visible on the ornate lamppost to the right side of the subject.
Lighting & Color: Maintain the warm, ambient nighttime lighting with subtle yellow-orange glows from the streetlights. Capture the same soft shadows and realistic noise/grain present in the original image. Apply similar color grading – warm highlights, deep shadows, and slightly muted tones to evoke a cinematic, moody feel.Pose & Angle: The subject is facing left, head tilted upward at a ~45-degree angle, with eyes closed and a serene, introspective expression. The camera angle is slightly low and tilted upward, capturing the chest-up view in a three-quarter profile from the left side. The pose must be relaxed, with hands in jacket pockets, shoulders naturally slouched, conveying a quiet, reflective mood.
Outfit: Dress the subject in a black leather jacket layered over a red textured sweater, with the lower portion of blue jeans slightly visible. Keep the outfit textures and folds consistent with real fabric physics under the lighting conditions.
Output:
4. Black Saree Dapper
Prompt:
Make a 4K HD, realistic, and stunning portrait using this image. Show long, dark, wavy hair cascading over shoulders. Attire – a translucent, elegant black saree draped over one shoulder, revealing a fitted blouse underneath. White flowers are tucked behind her right ear. She is looking slightly to her right, with a soft, serene expression.
The background is a plain, warm-toned wall, illuminated by a warm light source from the right, creating a distinct, soft-edged shadow of her profile and hair on the wall behind her. The overall mood is retro and artistic.
Output:
5. The Golden Glow Portrait
Prompt:
Create a retro, vintage, grainy but bright image of the reference picture, but draped in a perfect beige-colour, Pinterest-y aesthetic retro saree. It must feel like a 90s movie, brown hair, baddie with a small flower tucked visibly into her wavy hair, and a romantic, windy environment. The girl is standing against a solid wall, deep shadows and contrast drama, creating a mysterious and artistic atmosphere where the lighting is warm with the golden tones of evoking a sunset or golden hour glow. The background is minimalist and slightly textured; the expression on her face is moody, calm, yet happy and introspective.
Output:
6. Black and White Portrait
Prompt:
Make an epic black and white close-up portrait of the uploaded pic with wet hair and water droplets on my face and shoulders. Strong dramatic lighting, sharp facial features, glossy lips, piercing eyes, and realistic skin texture. High contrast, studio shot, hyper-realistic, cinematic look, 4K detail using this picture.
Output:
Prompts for Men
1. The Retro-Bollywood Look
Prompt:
Create a full-length photorealistic image of the uploaded person as a 1970s Bollywood superstar. Scene: outside a Mumbai cinema hall during a film premiere, with neon lights marquee, and vintage Bollywood posters on the walls. Style the subject in classic 70s hero fashion — a sharply tailored wide-collared suit with flared trousers, or a silk shirt left slightly unbuttoned paired with a patterned blazer, leather belt, and polished shoes. Accessories include aviator sunglasses, a silk scarf draped casually, or a gold chain for added flair. Hair styled in the signature retro look — side-parted, voluminous, or wavy — with a confident, expressive moustache if desired. Surround the subject with paparazzi holding vintage film cameras, bright flashbulbs, and enthusiastic fans reaching for autographs. Apply warm Eastmancolor tones, soft contrast, visible grain, and dramatic star lighting. Pose the subject mid-stride on the red carpet, waving with effortless charm, radiating the aura of a Bollywood superstar.
Output:
2. The Smoke Show
Prompt:
Hands in Pockets – Relaxed Authority
A hyper-realistic cinematic editorial portrait of the uploaded person (preserve face 100%). He stands tall in a dark, moody studio, surrounded by soft, drifting smoke under a dramatic spotlight.
Outfit: Oversized slate-blue luxury suit with wide-leg trousers, paired with a slightly unbuttoned white silk shirt. Both hands tucked casually in pockets, shoulders relaxed, confident expression, head tilted slightly upward.
Output:
3. The Red-Rose Killer
Prompt:
Create a hyper-realistic, editorial-style portrait of the man in the image with a dark, alluring aesthetic. He has tousled, slightly wavy black hair that falls over his forehead, framing his face. His expression is serious and intense, with dark, soulful eyes. He wears a sleek black suit over a deep red, partially unbuttoned dress shirt that reveals an intricate, full chest and neck tattoo featuring symmetrical, detailed designs and a web motif at the center of his throat. A single long, gold earring dangles from one ear. A vivid red rose is pinned to the lapel of his suit jacket, enhancing the romantic and dramatic tone of the portrait. The background is split with one side a muted beige and the other a bold, deep red, complemented by the soft silhouette of a green plant leaf. The overall lighting is warm and moody, contrasting between elegance and rebellion.
Output:
4. The Dark Side
Prompt:
Make a hyper-realistic portrait of the uploaded person (preserve face 100%) wearing a high-end fashion LV outfit. The background is orange, the clothing is minimal, as a hyper-realistic scene, the guy is just slightly visible due to dark shadows, and he is wearing modern fashion frames.
Output:
5. The Serene Sunset Look
Prompt:
Create a softly lit portrait of the uploaded person standing indoors near a window with warm sunlight streaming through. Use a cinematic, golden-hour lighting style that highlights the face and hair with natural glow and soft shadows. The person should be wearing a loose, casual white shirt with slightly rolled-up sleeves. The mood should feel calm, dreamy, and natural, with soft depth of field and a warm, intimate atmosphere.
Output:
6. Retro Vinyl Lounge Vibe
Prompt:
Create a hyper-realistic portrait of the uploaded person (preserve face 100%) styled as a 1970s retro icon. He is seated casually in a dimly lit lounge with vintage vinyl records stacked behind him, a glowing jukebox casting warm neon light across the scene. Outfit: open-collared patterned silk shirt, flared trousers, gold chain, and tinted aviator sunglasses. The lighting is warm amber with subtle film grain, evoking the ambience of old Bollywood jazz clubs. Pose is relaxed, with one arm resting on a velvet sofa and a confident half-smile.
Output:
Tips to Get the Best Results
Here’s how to make sure your Nano Banana Retro Image truly captures the Bollywood magic:
- Choose strong lighting: Well-lit photos work best. Natural daylight or warm indoor lighting helps the AI pick up clear details for retro styling.
- Face the camera: A front-facing photo with visible facial features makes for the most authentic Bollywood-style render.
- Dress the part: Outfits that already hint at vintage fashion, collared shirts, sarees, or jackets, enhance the retro effect.
- Keep distractions out: A clean background ensures the AI focuses on you, not unnecessary elements.
- Avoid group shots: Stick to a single subject for maximum detail and accuracy.
- A good photo = a great poster: The sharper the original, the more cinematic the final result.
Pro Tip: If you want extra Bollywood flair, like a vintage car, cinema hall, or neon signboards in the background, mention these explicitly in your prompt for the AI to add them seamlessly.