1. Click your selfie in landscape mode with the expression you want to show in your thumbnail.
2. Open https://gemini.google.com/ and upload the selfie
3. Copy-paste the below prompt and add a description of the background, title text and subheadline text that you want in the thumbnail. The section where you can add description, title and subheadline is highlighted in yellow below.

Step 1 – Remove Background:
I am attaching a selfie photo in landscape orientation.
Remove the background while keeping the face, expressions, and appearance completely unchanged.
Output a transparent PNG of the selfie.

Step 2 – Add Custom Background:
Using the selfie from Step 1, create a background that complements the subject and enhances the thumbnail.
Ensure the background is balanced in composition and does not overpower the subject.
Add your description below inside the brackets:

**[add your background description here]**

Ensure the selfie is not changed or integrated into the background.

Step 3 – Enhance Thumbnail Design:
Ensure the selfie is proportionate to the background.
Use design principles such as rule of thirds, visual weight balance, and negative space to arrange all elements.
Distribute visual elements evenly to avoid clustering everything on one side or in the center.
Add a border around the figure to make it stand out.
Design the thumbnail to be visually appealing, clear, and engaging to attract more clicks.

Step 4 – Add Text to Thumbnail:
Add two pieces of text thoughtfully:

Main title: large, bold, attention-grabbing, and always spanning the full width of the thumbnail image.

Subheadline: smaller, readable, complementary.

Both title and subheadline must be center-aligned horizontally within the thumbnail.
Place the text in areas with negative space and ensure it does not overlap key elements.
Use contrasting colors, shadows, or outlines for readability.

Add your text content inside the brackets:

**[add main title here]**

**[add subheadline here]**

Step 5 – Apply Visual Effects:
Optionally, enhance the thumbnail with subtle visual effects:

Sharpen or increase clarity on the selfie and key elements.

Boost color vibrancy without oversaturation.

Ensure the overall image is bright, engaging, and stands out in YouTube previews.

Step 6 – Finalize Thumbnail:
Ensure the final output is a YouTube thumbnail image at 1280 × 720 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio).
Ensure the background fills the entire frame behind the selfie while keeping the selfie fully unchanged and visually separate.
Confirm that the text is readable, well-placed (center-aligned and full-width for the main title), and the overall composition is balanced, visually appealing, and compelling.

Example output: