# Convert Vertical Footage to Widescreen Video with Generative Expand

> Turn 9:16 vertical clips into 16:9 widescreen videos using Photoshop Generative Expand.

This technique lets video editors adapt vertical phone recordings into 16:9 widescreen frames without black bars or blurred duplicate backgrounds. By exporting a still frame into Adobe Photoshop and using Generative Expand, you create an extended matching background plate to place behind your original clip.

## How it works

1. Export a still frame from your vertical video footage.
2. Open the image in Adobe Photoshop.
3. Expand the crop box horizontally to 16:9 aspect ratio.
4. Click 'Generative Expand' (or Generative Fill) with no prompt to fill in the left and right background sides.
5. Export the generated horizontal background image and import it into your timeline behind your vertical video clip.

## What it is for

- Repurpose vertical Shorts, Reels, or TikToks into widescreen YouTube videos
- Replace black bars or blurred backgrounds with an AI-generated scene extension
- Adapt talking-head smartphone videos for widescreen monitors and presentations

## Key points

- Export a still frame from your vertical 9:16 footage
- Open the still frame in Adobe Photoshop
- Use the Crop tool to expand canvas width to 16:9 aspect ratio
- Run Generative Expand without a prompt to auto-fill side extensions
- Export the wider background image and layer it beneath the vertical video clip

## Pricing

Paid. Requires Adobe Photoshop subscription (included in Photography plan from $9.99/month)

## Details

- Type: Tip
- Category: [Design](https://xiry.app/topics/design.md)
- Open source: no
- Platforms: macOS, Windows
- For: Video editors and content creators repurposing vertical content for widescreen formats
- Alternative to: Blurred video background letterboxing, Pillarboxing
- Tags: photoshop, generative fill, video editing, workflow, generative ai

## Why it was saved

- [@nomadatoast, 30 July 2024](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-C74W8Ailk/): Allows creators to turn vertical 9:16 talking-head clips into horizontal YouTube videos without black bars or blurry letterboxing.

## Related

- [Hera](https://xiry.app/resources/hera): AI-powered web editor for generating editable motion graphics from text prompts. (Web app, Freemium)
- [Adobe Firefly](https://xiry.app/resources/adobe-firefly): Adobe's creative generative AI suite for image, video, and audio creation (Web app, Freemium)
- [4 Ways to Use AI in Reels and Video Editing](https://xiry.app/resources/4-ways-to-use-ai-in-reels-and-video-editing): Practical generative AI techniques for framing, decor, removal, and element replacement. (Tip, Free)
- [AI Set Dressing for Static Video](https://xiry.app/resources/ai-set-dressing-for-static-video): Workflow for adding virtual props and decor to locked-off footage (Tip, Free)
- [Horizontal to Vertical Video Outpainting Technique](https://xiry.app/resources/horizontal-to-vertical-video-outpainting-technique): Convert landscape video to 9:16 using AI outpainting and overlay masks (Tip, Free)
- [Mixed Media Flash Cut Workflow](https://xiry.app/resources/mixed-media-flash-cut-workflow): Step-by-step workflow for creating mixed-media match cut animations in Photoshop (Tip, Free)

Updated 3 October 2026. Page: https://xiry.app/resources/convert-vertical-footage-to-widescreen-video-with-generative

Make your own library: Xiry takes your saved reels, tweets, Reddit bookmarks and Watch Later videos, makes them searchable and pulls the useful stuff out, like this library. It's invite-only for now; join the waitlist at https://xiry.app/#waitlist.