How to Edit MOODY Street Photography with the INCREDIBLE Luminar Neo

Mark McGee Photos
11 Oct 202313:47

TLDRIn this video, the presenter shares a detailed tutorial on how to edit moody street photography using Luminar Neo, a powerful photo editing software. They begin by addressing a motion blur issue with the SuperSharp feature, which employs AI to enhance image sharpness. The creative process continues with the use of the 'Relight' tool to adjust the brightness of the foreground and background, followed by a series of adjustments to exposure, contrast, and color saturation. The 'Magic Light' tool is highlighted for its ability to add dramatic light effects, and the presenter also demonstrates how to refine the subject using AI-powered masking. Color adjustments are made with the HSL tool, a vignette is added for focus, and detail enhancements are applied. The video also covers advanced features like sky replacement, selective dramatic effects, and the application of cinematic LUTs for a professional finish. The presenter concludes by praising Luminar Neo's versatility and the extensive resources available in Skylum's marketplace, making it an indispensable tool for photographers across various genres.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 **Luminar Neo's Unique Features**: Luminar Neo offers features not found in other editing suites, such as SuperSharp for AI-powered sharpening and Relight for adjusting the brightness of the foreground and background.
  • 🔍 **AI-Powered Subject Selection**: The Mask AI tool can automatically select the subject in an image, making it easier to apply specific adjustments to that area.
  • 🌟 **Magic Light Tool**: This tool can add starburst effects to light sources and allows for customization of intensity, beam width, and glow size for a dramatic effect.
  • 🖼️ **Layered Adjustments**: Luminar Neo allows for multiple layers of the same adjustment, similar to Photoshop layers, which can be individually hidden or deleted for a clean workflow.
  • 📈 **Curve and Color Adjustments**: The Develop module provides tools for adjusting overall exposure and using the HSL sliders for color fine-tuning.
  • 👤 **Focus on the Subject**: By using AI to select and mask the main subject, you can apply adjustments to make them stand out more against the background.
  • 🌈 **Color Harmony**: The ability to adjust specific colors like blues, cyans, and greens helps in creating a harmonious color palette that complements the warm tones in a scene.
  • 🌇 **Sky Replacement**: Luminar Neo excels at sky replacement with the option to relight the scene to match the new sky, and a marketplace for additional sky options.
  • 📷 **Professional Contrast and Mood**: Features like Super Contrast and Mood allow for professional-level adjustments to contrast and the application of cinematic LUTs for a specific look.
  • 💡 **Neon Glow Effect**: A new feature for creating artistic neon effects with customizable glow size, intensity, and color.
  • ✨ **Advanced Tools for Photographers**: Luminar Neo includes advanced tools like HDR Merge, Focus Stacking, and Studio Lighting, catering to various photography styles and needs.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The video is about how to edit moody street photography scenes using Luminar Neo, a photo editing software with new features.

  • What is the first issue the presenter identifies with the image they are editing?

    -The presenter identifies that the image is slightly suffering from motion blur and is not tack sharp.

  • How does Luminar Neo address the motion blur issue in the image?

    -Luminar Neo has a feature called SuperSharp which uses AI to analyze the scene and fix the motion blur issue.

  • What is the 'Relight' feature in Luminar Neo used for?

    -The 'Relight' feature is used to brighten or darken the foreground and background of an image based on AI suggestions.

  • How does the presenter adjust the overall exposure of the image?

    -The presenter uses a develop adjustment to bend the curve downwards, reducing the overall exposure.

  • What tool does the presenter use to add drama to the image?

    -The presenter uses the Dramatic tool to enhance the contrast without over saturating or crushing the colors.

  • How does the Magic Light tool in Luminar Neo affect the image?

    -The Magic Light tool changes the game for editing by allowing users to manipulate light sources in the image, including adding starburst effects and adjusting the glow.

  • What does the presenter do to make the main subject of the image stand out more?

    -The presenter uses the AI to select the subject and adds black to make the smoking man stand out more against the background.

  • How does the HSL slider section help in color adjustments?

    -The HSL slider section allows for adjustments to specific colors like reducing reds in skin tones and increasing saturation in light sources and foliage.

  • What is the purpose of adding a vignette to the image?

    -Adding a vignette helps to pull focus into the middle of the image and away from the edges.

  • How does the presenter refine the details in the gentleman's face?

    -The presenter uses the details tool with a mask to select the area and enhance the skin texture, focusing on the laughter lines.

  • What additional feature does Luminar Neo offer for enhancing images?

    -Luminar Neo offers features like HDR Merge, focus stacking, and a variety of presets for different types of photography.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to Luminar Neo's Photo Editing Features

The video begins with an introduction to the photo editing software Luminar Neo, emphasizing its unique features and constant updates that distinguish it from other editing platforms. The host shares their experience of editing a moody street photography scene from a trip to Paris. They showcase the SuperSharp feature, which uses AI to fix motion blur, and the Relight tool to adjust the brightness of the foreground and background. The edits tab is compared to Photoshop's layer system, and the video demonstrates how to make multiple adjustments and build up the composition.

05:02

🖼️ Enhancing Mood and Depth in Street Photography

The host continues by discussing the process of reducing overall exposure and adding drama to the image with the Dramatic tool. They introduce the Magic Light tool, which allows for creative manipulation of light sources in the image. The video then covers the use of AI to select and adjust the main subject, with a focus on the smoking man in the scene. Color adjustments are made to complement warm tones, and a vignette is added to draw focus to the center. The host also revisits the Magic Light tool to refine the light effects and introduces additional creative adjustments such as glow and soft focus for different visual effects.

10:04

🌟 Advanced Techniques and Final Touches in Luminar Neo

The video concludes with advanced editing techniques in Luminar Neo. The host demonstrates how to replace the sky in an image and relight the scene to match the new sky. They use the masking feature to protect certain areas from adjustments. The dramatic feature is applied selectively to parts of the image, and a linear gradient mask is used for additional effects. The host discusses the Super Contrast feature and the Mood tool, which applies cinematic looks to the image. They also address color adjustments to achieve a harmonious warm tone and use the Neon Glow feature for artistic flair. The video wraps up with a summary of Luminar Neo's capabilities, including the Neon Glow effect, studio lighting, HDR Merge, focus stacking, and the extensive resources available in Skylum's marketplace. The host expresses their satisfaction with Luminar Neo as a versatile tool for various photography styles and encourages viewers to explore its features.

Mindmap

AI-powered editing tools
Continuous feature updates
Creative results compared to other editing suites
Unique Features
Ease of use
Discovery of new features
A departure from traditional platforms like Lightroom and Photoshop
User Experience
Introduction to Luminar Neo
Example image from a trip to Paris
Image Selection
SuperSharp for motion blur correction
Relight for foreground and background adjustments
Correction Tools
Exposure reduction
Dramatic tool for contrast enhancement
Magic Light for light source manipulation
Creative Adjustments
AI subject selection and masking
Color adjustments for emphasis
Vignetting for focus control
Subject Focus
Details tool for texture and feature emphasis
Masking for selective adjustments
Detail Enhancement
Editing Process
Sky AI for quick sky selection and orientation
Relight feature to match the new sky
Sky Replacement
Masking for localized adjustments
Dramatic feature for specific areas
Mystical effects for background enhancement
Selective Effects
Super Contrast for enhancing highlights and shadows
Mood tool for cinematic looks
Color adjustments for harmony and warmth
Contrast and Color
New feature for artistic neon effects
Brush mask for precise placement
Neon Glow
Advanced Features
Erase feature for clutter removal
Final adjustments for contrast, highlights, and vibrance
Cleanup and Final Touches
Studio Lighting for portrait enhancement
HDR Merge for high dynamic range images
Focus Stacking for depth of field control
Additional Capabilities
Built-in presets for quick edits
Skylum's marketplace for additional assets
Tutorial courses for learning and inspiration
Presets and Resources
Luminar Neo as a versatile and powerful editing tool
Satisfaction with the software's adaptability and feature set
Recommendation for photographers of various genres
Conclusion
Photo Editing with Luminar Neo
Alert

Keywords

💡Luminar Neo

Luminar Neo is a photo editing software that offers advanced features for enhancing and transforming photographs. It is distinguished by its use of AI to assist with tasks such as sharpening images, selecting subjects, and creating various effects. In the video, Luminar Neo is used to edit a moody street photography scene, demonstrating its capabilities in sharpening details, adjusting exposure, and adding dramatic effects to create a compelling final image.

💡Moody Street Photography

Moody street photography refers to a style of photography that captures the atmosphere and emotion of a city street, often with a focus on the interplay of light and shadow to convey a certain mood. The video demonstrates how to use Luminar Neo to enhance this mood by adjusting the brightness and contrast, adding effects like starbursts, and manipulating the overall color balance to emphasize the dramatic and atmospheric qualities of the scene.

💡SuperSharp

SuperSharp is a feature within Luminar Neo that uses AI to analyze and improve the sharpness of an image. It is particularly useful for correcting minor motion blur or enhancing details in a photograph. In the video, the presenter uses SuperSharp to sharpen up the raindrops on a subject's hood, illustrating how it can be used to fix minor issues and enhance the overall clarity of an image.

💡Relight

The 'Relight' feature in Luminar Neo allows users to adjust the brightness of the foreground and background independently, based on AI analysis. This tool is used in the video to darken the background and make the main subject stand out more. It is a creative way to draw attention to the subject matter and create a more balanced exposure across the image.

💡Dramatic Tool

The 'Dramatic' tool in Luminar Neo is used to enhance the contrast of an image without oversaturating or crushing the colors. It helps to bring out the vibrance and depth in a scene. In the video, the presenter uses this tool to add more drama to the street scene, making it more visually striking and engaging.

💡Magic Light

Magic Light is a powerful tool within Luminar Neo that allows users to manipulate the light sources in an image, creating effects like starbursts or glows. The presenter in the video uses Magic Light to add a glow effect to the light sources, enhancing the overall mood and visual interest of the street photography scene.

💡Masking

Masking is a technique used in photo editing to selectively apply adjustments to certain parts of an image. In Luminar Neo, the presenter uses masking to refine the selection of the main subject and to apply adjustments only to specific areas, such as the face or the light sources. This precise control allows for more nuanced and professional-looking edits.

💡Sky Replacement

Sky replacement is a process where the original sky in an image is replaced with a different one, often to improve the overall composition or mood of the photograph. Luminar Neo has a feature called Sky AI that simplifies this process, allowing users to choose from various sky options and adjust the lighting to match the new sky. In the video, the presenter uses this feature to add a dramatic sky to the street scene, enhancing the overall impact of the image.

💡HDR Merge

HDR Merge is a feature that allows users to combine multiple exposures of the same scene into a single image with a greater dynamic range. This can result in an image that captures more detail in both the highlights and shadows. In the video, the presenter mentions this feature as part of Luminar Neo's advanced capabilities for creating high-quality, dramatic images.

💡Focus Stacking

Focus stacking is a technique used to increase the depth of field in a photograph by combining multiple images with different focus points. Luminar Neo's AI engine can perform focus stacking on up to 100 images, ensuring that every part of the scene is in focus. This feature is particularly useful for macro photography or any situation where a large depth of field is desired.

💡Neon Glow

Neon Glow is a new feature in Luminar Neo that allows users to create glowing effects in their images, adding an artistic flair to the final result. In the video, the presenter uses Neon Glow to add a glowing effect to the headlamp in the street scene, demonstrating how it can be used to draw attention to specific elements within the photograph.

Highlights

Luminar Neo's SuperSharp feature uses AI to analyze and fix motion blur in images.

The Relight tool in Luminar Neo allows for selective brightening or darkening of the foreground and background.

Multiple adjustments can be added and managed separately in Luminar Neo, similar to layers in Photoshop.

Develop adjustments enable users to modify overall exposure and contrast for added drama.

Magic Light is a powerful tool that can add starburst effects and manipulate light sources in an image.

AI-powered subject selection allows for precise masking and adjustment of specific objects within a scene.

HSL sliders provide standard color adjustments, allowing for fine-tuning of hues.

Adding a vignette can help draw focus into the center of the image.

Details tool can enhance specific areas, such as skin texture or facial features.

Sky AI tool in Luminar Neo makes sky replacement straightforward with a variety of inbuilt and marketplace options.

Relighting features can adjust the scene's lighting to match the newly chosen sky.

Mood tool applies cinematic LUTs to enhance the overall look of the image.

Neon Glow effect allows for creative artistic flair, especially when enhancing specific light sources.

Erase feature simplifies the process of cleaning up unwanted elements in an image.

Studio lighting feature enables users to overlay and manipulate light to match a scene.

HDR Merge tool combines multiple exposures into a single image for high dynamic range effects.

Focus stacking feature can combine up to 100 images with varying focus points for a fully in-focus scene.

Luminar Neo offers a wide range of presets, overlays, textures, LUTs, and more in Skylum's marketplace.

Luminar Neo is a versatile tool suitable for various photography styles, from product to street photography.