Luminar Neo: Tutorials, Prompts, Use cases
AI-powered photo editor for creative desktop, tablet, and mobile editing.
Luminar Neo is an intuitive photo editing suite that leverages advanced artificial intelligence to automate complex tasks like sky replacement and portrait retouching. It offers a non-destructive workflow with professional tools for RAW processing, layers, and generative AI object removal.
by Skylum Software
Features
- Generative AI object removal and expansion
- One-click AI sky replacement
- Portrait enhancement with Face and Skin AI
- Atmospheric effects like fog and sunrays
- Professional RAW file support for 1000+ cameras
- Non-destructive editing with layers and masking
- AI-driven sharpening and noise reduction
- Batch processing for high-volume workflows
- Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom plugin integration
Luminar Neo Tutorials
Chiara Talia - Wildlife Photography
Mark McGee Photos
Anthony Turnham
Anthony Turnham
Luminar Neo
Miklós Mayer - I will be your photo guide
Kieran Hayes Photography
Joseph Martin
Kai WLuminar Neo Courses
Luminar Neo Alternatives
A node-based visual workflow engine for professional AI image and video generation.
An independent research lab exploring new mediums of thought through AI imagery.
The most controllable AI image generation and design tool for creators.
Generative AI platform for high-quality creative asset production and image generation.
Professional AI design platform for photorealistic images and editable vector graphics.
All-in-one AI-powered photo and video creation and editing platform.
An all-in-one AI photo editing workflow for professional photographers.
All-in-one AI creative suite for images, videos, and audio generation.
AI-powered concepting board to explore, expand, and refine creative ideas.
The world’s most advanced image editing and graphic design software.
Agent-native image generation and editing using code-based intermediate representations.
An AI-first design platform for professional branding and creative assets.
AI-powered node-based platform for professional design and creative workflows.
A powerful creative AI suite for real-time image, video, and 3D generation.
Free, unlimited AI image generation for creators and world-builders.
Create stunning AI-generated art using multiple state-of-the-art algorithms and models.
AI-powered culling, editing, and retouching for professional photographers.
AI-powered face swapping for photos, videos, and GIFs without watermarks.
AI-powered photo enhancer to upscale, unblur, and restore images to 8K.
The ultimate AI creative studio for high-definition image and video generation.
Next-generation face manipulation and high-fidelity face swapping platform.
One-click AI enhancer for professional-grade photo, video, and document upscaling.
Advanced AI conversational assistant for text generation and problem solving.
AI-powered product photography studio for high-converting e-commerce and fashion imagery.
Browser-based AI suite for instant image and video editing and transformation.
AI-powered storytelling and anime art generation for creative writers and artists.
Advanced AI image generation and editing with streamlined SDXL model support.
An experimental AI tool for image-to-image prompting and visual storytelling.
Convert text to unique, licensed images with AI-powered generation.
AI-powered background removal for transparent PNGs and professional product photos.
All-in-one AI studio for professional photo and video creation and editing.
All-in-one AI image and video generation platform for e-commerce and marketing.
A professional online photo editor that runs directly in your browser.
Create consistent AI-generated photos and videos featuring your own digital identity.
Transform ideas into stunning AI-generated images and photorealistic art in seconds.
Free, unlimited AI image and video generator with state-of-the-art models.
AI fashion model generator transforming flat lays into high-end on-model photos.
All-in-one AI platform for high-resolution image and video enhancement.
Unified multimodel API for high-performance AI at a fraction of the cost.
A fair-code workflow automation platform combining visual building with custom code.
AI-powered photo editor and listing studio for professional e-commerce visuals.
Convert raster images to clean, scalable vector graphics using AI.
All-in-one AI studio for professional video and image creation.
A comprehensive online design platform for creating professional visual content easily.
Transform AI-generated skin textures into photorealistic, high-fidelity human skin.
A comprehensive platform for high-quality photos, vectors, and design templates.
AI-powered image enhancement and upscaling for professional quality results.
Generate professional AI images from text prompts using advanced neural architecture.
Access over 100 frontier AI models through a single unified subscription.
The largest library of 3D packaging mockups, dielines, and design templates.
Run and deploy open-source machine learning models with a cloud API.
Generative AI for creative expression and professional content creation.
Professional AI-powered photo and video editing for instant, high-quality enhancements.
The world's first AI design agent for end-to-end brand campaigns.
Instant AI-powered background replacement for professional product photography.
An AI-powered storytelling platform for professional video and image generation.
A creative production studio specializing in culture-defining commercial content.
All-in-one AI platform for high-quality image and video creation and editing.
An all-in-one online creative platform for photo editing and graphic design.
Fast, private, and offline AI image generation for Apple devices.
The central collaboration platform for the global machine learning community.
Real-time image and video optimization with AI-powered digital asset management.
AI-powered visual production agent for eCommerce and catalog scaling at speed.
An all-in-one AI creativity platform for art, video, and character chat.
Create AI images, cinematic videos, and face swaps in seconds.
A unified generative AI canvas for scaling professional creative workflows.
Agent-native image generation and editing with code-based precision and 4K rendering.
AI-powered tool to remove watermarks from images, videos, and PDFs instantly.
AI-powered photo editor and beauty camera for professional-grade selfies.
An all-in-one AI platform for text, image, audio, and video creation.
The all-in-one AI platform and super assistant for enterprise automation.
Cloud-based photo editing and organization for photographers of all skill levels.
Transform low-resolution images into stunning 4K photos with advanced AI restoration.
Turn selfies into 4K professional AI headshots in under an hour.
Create and edit stunning visuals in seconds with AI-powered imaging tools.
An all-in-one creative AI platform for images, video, and music.
Google's advanced text-to-image model for high-fidelity photorealistic creative assets.
Professional AI business headshots without a physical photo shoot.
Advanced AI image upscaler and enhancer for high-resolution creative workflows.
AI-powered graphic design tool for creating professional visuals instantly.
Create studio-quality product visuals and marketing content using advanced AI tools.
Agent-native image generation and editing using code-based intermediate representations.
Cloud-based ComfyUI with zero setup, high-speed GPUs, and scalable APIs.
AI-powered online photo editor for effortless object removal and image enhancement.
A latent text-to-image diffusion model for high-quality, photo-realistic image generation.
AI-powered removal of watermarks, logos, and objects from photos and videos.
AI-powered object and watermark removal for photos and videos across all platforms.
All-in-one AI platform for content, images, video, and audio generation.
AI-powered photorealistic hair transplant previews for clinics and patients.
Advanced AI image generator specializing in accurate typography and graphic design.
Free AI-powered image upscaler providing high-resolution enhancements up to 16K.
Transform AI-generated skin textures into photorealistic, indistinguishable human results.
Studio-quality AI headshots and professional profile pictures in 30 minutes.
AI-powered image and video generation, editing, and restoration studio.
AI-powered image and video upscaling for high-resolution visual enhancement.
All-in-one AI video and image creation platform for professional content.
The AI content engine for startups to rank on Google and LLMs.
Tailor-made generative AI API for fine-tuning and personalized image creation.
Privacy-focused AI background removal and replacement without image uploads.
An intuitive online design tool with AI-powered features and professional templates.
A large-scale unsupervised language model for high-quality text generation.
Custom metal retail fixtures and stock display components for top retailers.
Free online AI face swapping for photos, videos, and GIFs.
AI-powered photo and video editor for portraits and creative visual art.
AI-driven real-time path tracing and production-level visualization ecosystem.
Unified generative AI platform for professional image and video creation.
Transform low-resolution images into stunning 4K quality with AI-powered enhancement.
AI-powered studio for professional avatars, character design, and video generation.
AI-powered toolkit for professional portraits, face swaps, and image enhancement.
Free AI-powered image upscaling up to 16K resolution without sign-up.
AI-powered tool to colorize, restore, and enhance old black and white photos.
AI-powered image upscaling, enhancement, and creative editing tools for high-quality visuals.
Free AI image and video prompt gallery for instant content generation.
AI-powered academic writing assistant for high-scoring, plagiarism-free essays.
AI-powered photo editor for studio-quality portraits and e-commerce product images.
Transform low-quality photos and videos into high-definition masterpieces with AI.
Remove image backgrounds automatically in five seconds with one click.
Advanced AI face swapping for images, videos, and live webcam streams.
A unified enterprise platform for professional AI image and video generation.
AI agent-powered content creation platform with ComfyUI and infinite canvas.
AI-powered fashion models and product image generation for e-commerce growth.
Sharpen, denoise, and upscale images with intelligent AI-powered enhancement tools.
Professional AI headshot generator that turns a single selfie into studio-quality portraits.
Convert raster images into scalable vector graphics online
The industry-standard vector graphics software for creating logos, icons, and illustrations.
The central platform for creative file management, review, and collaboration.
A comprehensive hub for generative AI tools, resources, and educational insights.
All-in-one AI photo editing platform and high-performance API service.
All-in-one AI workspace for content creation, study, and multimodal chat.
Free online AI tool for realistic face swaps in photos and videos.
AI fashion model generator transforming flat lays into professional on-model photos.
A single AI assistant providing access to all top-tier LLMs and agents.
The world's largest community for sharing and discovering generative AI models.
All-in-one AI creative platform for video, image, and music generation.
All-in-one AI platform for creating images, videos, copy, and slides.
A versatile communication platform for gaming, hanging out, and building communities.
The most realistic professional AI headshot generator for corporate branding.
AI-powered face swapping for high-quality photos, videos, and GIFs.
All-in-one AI fashion design, virtual try-on, and photoshoot platform.
The collaborative interface design tool for teams to build products together.
An experimental AI-powered research and productivity tool from Google
Build and share machine learning web interfaces using only Python.
A comprehensive web-based suite for fast, free, and bulk image editing.
Master AI image prompt creation with powerful optimization and generation tools.
Professional open-source vector graphics editor for designers and illustrators.
AI agents and workflows purpose-built for enterprise marketing teams.
AI-powered all-in-one PDF editor for seamless document management and conversion.
Remove unwanted objects, people, and watermarks from photos with AI precision.
A faithful web-based remake of classic MS Paint with modern enhancements.
Discover your family history through DNA testing and genealogical research.
The full-stack React framework for high-performance web applications.
Software-connected automated test and measurement systems for engineering and manufacturing.
All-in-one AI-powered RAW photo editor and organizer without subscription requirements.
Create professional AI-generated product photography in seconds without Photoshop skills.
All-in-one AI photo editor for background removal and image enhancement.
A lightning-fast online graphic design suite and photo editor for marketers.
All-in-one marketing platform for AI-powered design, social media, and email.
Create professional AI headshots and creative profile pictures in seconds.
AI-powered professional headshots for corporate profiles and social media.
Reimagine everyday life through AI-native mobile apps and creative face-swapping.
AI agent-powered content creation platform featuring ComfyUI workflows and infinite canvas.
Create professional high-resolution product mockups directly in your browser.
Enterprise-grade generative AI platform for professional content production at scale.
Free browser-based AI image generation powered by Stable Diffusion models.
The leading open-source headless CMS for JavaScript and TypeScript developers.
Professional AI headshot generator for LinkedIn and corporate teams.
AI-powered image enhancement and upscaling for high-resolution professional visuals.
Professional photo and video editing suite with creative community and business tools.
Luminar Neo Use cases
What is Luminar Neo?
Luminar Neo is a non-destructive photo editing software developed by Skylum for Mac and Windows. It is specifically designed for photographers who want to bypass the steep learning curve of traditional editors. Unlike standard pixel-based tools, Neo leverages artificial intelligence to handle complex masking and layering automatically. It is widely used for RAW processing, creative sky replacement, and advanced portrait retouching.
Real-World Use Cases
Based on our catalog of 78 real-world demonstrations, users primarily leverage Luminar Neo for these specific tasks:
- AI Photo Editing & Enhancing: With 44 combined clips, this is the most common use. Creators use it to auto-improve sharpness, lighting, and color in a single pass.
- AI Relighting: 14 demos show how to adjust light sources and shadows in a 3D space, allowing you to brighten subjects while keeping backgrounds moody.
- AI Inpainting & Object Removal: Used in 8 clips to erase unwanted elements or replace specific parts of an image seamlessly.
- Sky Replacement & Landscape Tools: A core feature for landscape photographers to fix blown-out skies or enhance foliage.
- Portrait Retouching: Specialized tools for skin smoothing, eye enhancement, and bokeh effects.
How to Get Started: Typical Workflow
- Import to Catalog: Start by adding your RAW files or folders to the Catalog tab for organization.
- Develop RAW: Use the 'Develop' tool first. This is crucial as it's the only stage that works directly on the raw sensor data for maximum dynamic range.
- Apply AI Enhancements: Use 'Accent AI' or 'Sky Enhancer' to let the software analyze and balance the image.
- Targeted Edits: Use Mask AI to automatically select subjects, skies, or flora. If the AI mask has 'nasty haloing' along edges, use a manual brush with 100% strength to clean up the borders.
- Final Polish: Add creative touches like Sun Rays or Vignettes, then export to your desired format (JPEG, PNG, or TIFF).
Expert Tips and Common Mistakes
- Avoid the 100% Trap: Setting sliders like 'Sun Rays Amount' or 'Accent AI' to 100 can cause solarization or aggressive fringing. Aim for a subtle effect to maintain realism.
- Manual Overrides: For a more artistic feel, paint effects in manually with a low-opacity brush (around 20%) rather than applying them globally.
- Check for Clipping: Always keep your clipping warnings active. Red indicates lost highlight detail, while blue shows lost shadow detail.
- Layer Opacity: A common pro trick is to move the layer opacity slider back and forth while staring at the screen to visually find the 'sweet spot' where the edit looks most natural.
Alternatives to Luminar Neo
If you are looking for different features or pricing models, consider these alternatives found in our database:
- Adobe Photoshop: The industry standard for complex layer work (36 demos).
- ON1 Photo RAW: A popular 'no-subscription' alternative that offers similar AI sky and portrait tools.
- DxO PhotoLab: Preferred by users who prioritize high-end noise reduction and lens corrections.
- Darktable: A free, open-source alternative for those on a budget, though it lacks Neo's automated AI features.
Frequently asked questions
Is Luminar Neo really free?
No, Luminar Neo is a paid professional software. While you can download a free trial to test the features, continued use requires either a subscription or a perpetual license purchase.
How easy is Luminar Neo to use for beginners?
It is designed specifically for ease of use. The interface is divided into Catalog, Presets, and Edit tabs, allowing beginners to achieve professional results using AI sliders rather than manual complex masking.
What is the difference between Luminar AI and Luminar Neo?
Luminar Neo is the more advanced successor to Luminar AI. It features a new engine that supports layers, better performance, and more advanced generative AI tools like GenErase and GenSwap.
Can I use Luminar Neo on a Mac?
Yes, Luminar Neo is fully compatible with macOS and is also available for Windows. There is also a Luminar Mobile version for iPad and iPhone users.
Is Luminar Neo better than Lightroom?
It depends on your needs. Lightroom is superior for managing massive photo libraries and metadata, while Luminar Neo is often preferred for its creative AI tools and one-click enhancements that would take much longer in Lightroom.
Does Luminar Neo offer a perpetual license?
Yes, unlike Adobe's subscription-only model, Skylum offers a perpetual (lifetime) license for Luminar Neo, though some generative AI features may require an active Pro subscription.
What are some free alternatives to Luminar Neo?
The best free, open-source alternatives are Darktable for RAW processing and GIMP for layer-based editing, though they do not include the automated AI tools found in Neo.