PCWorld
Photos are taken in a matter of seconds, but they often need some post-processing before they truly look good. Traditional image editing using apps or tools such as Photoshop and Lightroom is not only time-consuming, but also requires a lot of training. You have to draw masks, adjust color channels individually, and laboriously remove distracting objects with the stamp tool. Artificial intelligence (AI) can now help with these routine tasks. It can be found not only in professional tools such as Adobe Photoshop, but also in beginner-friendly software such as Luminar Neo . To simplify post-processing, the software can automatically recognize the sky in landscape shots, people in portraits, and even the lighting conditions under which the photo was taken. In this guide, we introduce five useful AI features of Luminar Neo that can help you optimize your images and avoid many tedious post-processing steps. At the end of the article, we also examine what artificial intelligence can already achieve in image editing and where its current limitations still lie. Optimize contrast, colors, details, and exposure Landscape photos taken using the default settings on a smartphone or camera can sometimes look a little dull. This is where the “Enhance” feature in Luminar Neo comes in handy. You can find the AI option in the “Edit” tab on the right-hand side. Two sliders allow you to control how strongly the software adjusts contrast, colors, details, and exposure at the same time. In addition, you can adjust the sky individually and apply the changes to specific areas of the image using a mask. Thanks to AI, you no longer have to optimize contrast, colors, and details individually. Although this means you lose some control, you get a higher-contrast and more vibrant photo in just a few seconds. If you don’t like the overly edited look, setting the slider to around 20 to 30 percent is often enough to give your landscape shots more depth. Extend image edges If you accidentally took a photo in portrait format instead of landscape, Luminar Neo’s “Generated Extension” can help. You can find this feature in the “Catalogue” tab in the right-hand bar under “Generation Tools.” Here you can select the image edge and drag it outwards to create more image space. The software will then automatically fill the additional area with matching image content based on the existing scene. Thanks to this AI feature, you no longer have to crop your photo if the format doesn’t fit. The software expands the image in a matter of seconds. This feature is particularly suitable for landscape shots or subjects with a lot of background. Remove distracting objects If people or other distracting elements are visible in a landscape photo, the “Generative Deletion” function can help. You can find it in the “Catalogue” tab on the right-hand side. Simply select the area you want to remove. The software will then automatically replace the selected area with suitable image content based on the surroundings and lighting conditions. With this AI feature, you don’t have to retouch distracting elements with the stamp tool. Check the result afterwards, as the automatic fill may produce slight variations depending on the scene. Replace the sky A white, cloudy sky can sometimes make landscape photos look a bit boring. The sky replacement feature, which you can find in the “Edit” tab, can help here. The software will automatically recognize the sky in the photo and replace it with another sky of your choice. The new sky is then fitted into the photo in such a way that the lighting and colors appear as natural as possible. You can fine-tune the inserted sky using three sliders. If you want to achieve a realistic impression, choose a sky that matches the original time of day and lighting conditions. Skin retouching for portraits Portraits often benefit from slight skin retouching, which makes the face look more natural without losing detail. Luminar Neo offers various portrait AI tools that can be used to smooth skin and remove small imperfections. The feature automatically analyzes the face and adjusts the retouching so that the eyes, lips, and other facial features are preserved. Editing is done using simple sliders that allow you to adjust the strength of the skin smoothing. This allows you to decide whether the portrait should be only slightly optimized or more heavily retouched. It’s important not to set the strength too high so that the face remains natural and does not appear too blurred. Additional image optimization features In addition to the features presented, Luminar Neo offers other tools for image editing. These include, for example, the automatic removal of image noise in shots with high ISO settings. Even slightly blurred photos can be sharpened retrospectively using AI. Classic tools for color correction, exposure, cropping, and masks are also available. This means you don’t have to rely on AI. You can intervene manually if necessary. Conclusion Artificial intelligence now handles many routine tasks in image editing. Programs such as Luminar Neo automatically recognize central image areas such as the sky, people, or backgrounds and optimize colors, contrast, and exposure independently. In many cases, removing distracting elements or extending image edges also works reliably. Nevertheless, the automatic function has its limits. With complex motifs, fine structures, or unusual lighting conditions, the results can appear unnatural or details can be lost. If you are looking for a precise or artistically sophisticated result, manual adjustments are unavoidable. Luminar Neo is primarily aimed at beginners who want to achieve convincing results quickly without a long learning curve. The focus is more on intelligent, automated optimizations rather than comprehensive detail control. Professional programs such as Adobe Photoshop offer significantly more manual intervention options and are aimed at users with high demands for fine control and creative flexibility. For many amateur photographers, Luminar Neo is therefore the less complicated alternative. Prices and license models A single license for Luminar Neo for desktop currently costs $119, while a license for multiple devices costs $159. The Max license with access to the Creative Library costs $179. All versions are offered as a one-time purchase, with one year of software updates included. The software is available for multiple platforms and runs on Windows and macOS. There’s also an app for iOS and Android, as well as support for ChromeOS.
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