demobook

Luminar Neo: Color grading with LUTs and Blue Channel Curves

Demo summary

A demonstration of color grading using the Mood tool (LUTs) and the Blue channel in Curves to inject yellow highlights into the image.

Step-by-step

  1. Open the Mood tool in the Creative section.
  2. Select a LUT from the dropdown menu, such as 'Los Angeles' or 'Sepia'.
  3. Adjust the Amount, Contrast, and Saturation sliders to refine the LUT's impact.
  4. Navigate to the Curves tool and select the Blue channel.
  5. Drag the top-right point of the curve downward to inject yellow into the highlights.
  6. Adjust the middle of the curve upward to add blue to the shadows for color harmony.
  7. Use the Layer Opacity slider to blend the overall color grade with the original image.

Options

  • Apply the Mood tool multiple times over for layered effects
  • Use Cinematic Toning LUTs
  • Use Color Balance highlights as an alternative (though less effective for pure whites)

Watch out for

  • The Color Balance tool cannot introduce hue into pure white highlights; it only affects the areas surrounding the white.

Tips

  • To inject yellow into a photo using Curves, you must use the Blue channel because yellow is the digital opposite of blue.
  • Balance the introduction of yellow in highlights by adding blue to the shadows to create color harmony.
  • Deliberately over-edit the color grade on a separate layer so you can use the opacity slider to find the perfect 'ease' for the look.

Highlights

the mood tool so much fun to use because we can apply it several times over

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

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  4. 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 NeoAI Photo Editor
  5. 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 NeoAI Relighting
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  8. 29:343:50Color grading with LUTs and Blue Channel CurvesCurrentA demonstration of color grading using the Mood tool (LUTs) and the Blue channel in Curves to inject yellow highlights into the image.Luminar NeoAI Photo Editor
  9. Watch “My Secret Layer Workflow for NATURAL, Powerful Landscape Edits in Luminar Neo” →

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  8. 15:110:15Focus stacking in Luminar NeoThe user demonstrates the Focus Stacking extension in Luminar Neo, merging multiple images with different focus points into one sharp photo.Kieran Hayes Photography
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