RAW development and tonal range adjustment in Luminar Neo

Luminar Neo Try it →Watch full video →Anthony Turnham · Oct 2025

Demo summary

The creator demonstrates how to use the Develop RAW tool and Curves in Luminar Neo to establish a proper black and white point while monitoring clipping warnings.

Step-by-step

Open the Develop RAW tool
Press the J key to enable clipping warnings
Open the Curves section
Drag the far-right point of the curve to the left until red pixels appear to set the white point
Drag the far-left point of the curve to the right until blue pixels appear to set the black point
Increase the Color Saturation slider slightly
Press the backslash key to compare the edit with the original photo

Options

Click the Auto Adjust feature for a shortcut
Adjust exposure using the Highlights, Shadows, Whites, and Blacks sliders instead of Curves

Watch out for

Clipping warnings must be active to see where detail is being lost (red for highlights, blue for shadows)

Tips

Ensure you have a complete dynamic range with both a black and white point before further editing
Only aim for a few pixels of clipping to ensure you have a true white and black point without losing significant detail
Give the software a 'helping hand' by popping the saturation if the original photo is color-deficient

Highlights

“that is a great shortcut if you want to take advantage of that”

All demos from “My Secret Layer Workflow for NATURAL, Powerful Landscape Edits in Luminar Neo”

0:492:54RAW development and tonal range adjustment in Luminar NeoCurrentThe creator demonstrates how to use the Develop RAW tool and Curves in Luminar Neo to establish a proper black and white point while monitoring clipping warnings.Luminar Neo· AI Image/Photo Enhancer
4:102:36Blending exposures with layers and linear gradientsThe video shows how to duplicate layers in Luminar Neo to process the sky and foreground separately, using a linear gradient mask for a smooth transition.Luminar Neo· AI Photo Editor
7:050:43Targeted noise reduction with AI maskingThe creator applies the Denoise tool to a specific area of the image using Luminar Neo's AI masking to clean up digital noise in the sky.Luminar Neo· AI Image/Photo Enhancer
9:203:21Sculpting light and contrast using Curves and Brush masksA demonstration of using the Curves tool to create an S-curve for contrast and then painting the effect into specific areas like mountains and water using a soft brush.Luminar Neo· AI Photo Editor
13:193:49Adding Layered Fog and Sun RaysThe creator demonstrates the Layered Fog and Sun Rays tools in Luminar Neo, showing how to position the sun center and mask the effects for a natural look.Luminar Neo· AI Relighting
21:133:14Applying Glow, Mystical, and Blur effectsThe video walks through using the Dramatic, Glow, and Mystical tools, followed by a creative use of the Blur tool with low opacity to create a dreamy landscape look.Luminar Neo· AI Photo Filter
25:443:15Enhancing details with Accent AI and Foliage EnhancerThe creator uses Accent AI, Structure AI, and the Foliage Enhancer tool to pop details in the grass and mountains, including adjusting the hue of the greens.Luminar Neo· AI Image/Photo Enhancer
29:343:50Color grading with LUTs and Blue Channel CurvesA demonstration of color grading using the Mood tool (LUTs) and the Blue channel in Curves to inject yellow highlights into the image.Luminar Neo· AI Photo Editor
Watch “My Secret Layer Workflow for NATURAL, Powerful Landscape Edits in Luminar Neo” →

AI Image/Photo Enhancer

3:121:47Portrait retouching with Skin AIThe video shows using Skin AI in Luminar Neo to automatically remove blemishes and even out skin tones using a single slider, followed by shine removal for a matte finish.Mark McGee Photos
4:590:37Enhance facial features with Face AIThe creator demonstrates Face AI to add iris flare to eyes, enlarge eyes, and adjust lip color and contrast on a portrait.Mark McGee Photos
16:180:34Dodge and Burn retouchingThe creator shows how to use the Dodge and Burn tool in Luminar Neo to enhance a subject's cheekbones with subtle lighting adjustments.Mark McGee Photos
2:401:41Basic photo enhancements in Luminar NeoThe user demonstrates the 'Essentials' panel in Luminar Neo, showing how to use Enhance AI, Structure AI, Super Contrast, and the Dodge and Burn brush tool on a photo.Kieran Hayes Photography
8:460:37Portrait retouching with Skin and Face AIThe creator uses Skin AI for shine removal and smoothing, and Face AI for eye enhancement and lip saturation in Luminar Neo.Kieran Hayes Photography
7:270:23Portrait enhancement and eye editingThe presenter shows the portrait-specific tools in Luminar Neo, demonstrating eye color changes, eye whitening, and skin smoothing.Kai W
0:492:54RAW development and tonal range adjustment in Luminar NeoCurrentThe creator demonstrates how to use the Develop RAW tool and Curves in Luminar Neo to establish a proper black and white point while monitoring clipping warnings.Anthony Turnham
7:050:43Targeted noise reduction with AI maskingThe creator applies the Denoise tool to a specific area of the image using Luminar Neo's AI masking to clean up digital noise in the sky.Anthony Turnham
25:443:15Enhancing details with Accent AI and Foliage EnhancerThe creator uses Accent AI, Structure AI, and the Foliage Enhancer tool to pop details in the grass and mountains, including adjusting the hue of the greens.Anthony Turnham
2:521:51Recovering highlights and shadows with Develop RAWThe creator demonstrates how to use the Develop RAW tool in Luminar Neo to recover sky detail and brighten dark shadows without washing out the image.Anthony Turnham
4:531:36Sharpening and noise reduction in Luminar NeoA demonstration of zooming into a photo to apply sharpening and luminosity-based noise reduction to clean up grain in flat areas like the sky.Anthony Turnham
6:491:00Enhancing photos with Accent AI and Sky EnhancerThe video shows the application of Enhance AI's 'Accent AI' and 'Sky Enhancer' sliders to automatically balance tones and boost blue sky saturation.Anthony Turnham