Skylum Luminar Neo Photo Editing Software Review

A comprehensive review of Skylum’s Luminar Neo Photo Editing Software with the latest and advanced features to get more appealing and lively photos:

We are living in the age of AI. Artificial Intelligence is gradually seeping into every aspect of our lives. As a photographer myself, the aspect of AI that I am most interested in is its integration with photo editing software.

There are a ton of tools out there that already use AI to automate various complex photo editing tasks. One of those myriad solutions that caught my attention was Skylum’s Luminar Neo. By putting AI at the heart of its software, Skylum promises to revolutionize the sheer concept of photo editing forever.

Naturally, I was intrigued and had to give the software a try myself. Is Luminar Neo a revolutionary photo editing software that Skylum Developers promised? Did it live up to my expectations? I’ll be sharing my thoughts on these and a lot more with my in-depth review of the tool right here.

Skylum’s Luminar Neo – A Complete Overview

So without much further ado, let’s start by understanding what Skylum’s Luminar Neo is.

Luminar Neo is the latest photo editing software launched by the widely recognized developer Skylum. The tool has generated quite a buzz recently, thanks to its AI-powered functionality. The tool automates several benign and complex photo editing tasks that were otherwise performed tediously by traditional photo editing solutions.

For instance, Luminar Neo’s AI can help you replace the sky in a photo, remove and replace the background, and enhance facial features with just a click. The tool comes loaded with a ton of AI-based features that together streamline the photo editing process.

During my time with the tool, I quickly found out that there was nothing it could not do. From enhancing the quality of a photo to implementing presets and performing basic edits, Skylum’s Luminar Neo could do it all.

I did face a few performance issues, however; the tool is going through constant updates as we speak.

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How I Tested Luminar Neo

For this review, I used the latest version of Luminar Neo and tested it on my Windows system with 16GB of RAM. Mine was a gaming laptop with specs designed to run resource-intensive software. So Luminar Neo had a perfect home to run at its fullest potential.

Although I had a fair share of images on my system, I chose to use the images provided by Luminar Neo to perform my edits. I spent numerous hours experimenting with every single feature and AI tool the software had to offer.

I did a bit of manual editing on the tool as well to assess how user-friendly the tool is. In the end, I based my review on Luminar Neo’s usability, functionality, and overall performance.

How to Install Skylum Luminar Neo

To download the software, you can either opt to first select a subscription plan or download the free trial version instead. Whatever option you choose, you’ll be sent a download link to your registered email ID.

From there, follow the below steps:

• Click on the download link sent to you on your email ID.
• Once downloaded, go to the path on your system where the software was downloaded and double-click on it to start the installation.
• During the installation, you’ll be asked to choose Luminar Neo as a plugin for Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Lightroom Classic.

• Make your decision, and hit the install button.
• The software will launch automatically on your system once the installation process is complete.

Before you install the software, I would suggest looking at the following specifications to ensure your system is compatible.

Technical Specifications

So now that you have a gist of what Luminar Neo is, allow me to take you on a deep dive into the tool by sharing my honest-to-god thoughts on its functionality, usability, and price.

The User Interface

When it comes to photo editing tools, you want an interface that’s clear and uncluttered. That is exactly what I got with Luminar Neo. Besides possessing a sleek look, I found the interface easy to use and smooth to navigate. All of its many features are visible to the naked eye and easily accessible.

At no point was I lost or in need of tech support. At the very center of the interface is where the core photo editing tasks take place. You are presented with a wide enough screen to comfortably edit your photos with the utmost precision.

At the top of the interface, you’ll find three options. The first is the Catalog. Here, you’ll be managing all of your photos. In the catalog section, you will be given the option to add photos to edit and get an automatically curated selection of all your recently edited and added photos.

Then there is the Presets section right beside it (we will discuss this in-depth later), followed by the edit option. Clicking on the edit button will present you with all the tools you have at your disposal to perform photo editing tasks.

From cropping an image to erase objects and using the tool’s AI, you’ll be presented with many features to start editing your photos as per your wishes.

Overall, I have absolutely no complaints about Luminar Neo’s UI. It is sleek, clean, and makes core photo editing tasks all the more simple.

Useful Features

While its UI is great, Luminar Neo stands out because of its features. Some of which are powered by an advanced AI. Let me give you a rundown of all the features you can expect to find in Luminar Neo.

#1) Presets

Luminar Neo features a massive preset library. These presets, more or less, serve the same function as a filter and do a good enough job of breathing life into a picture. The preset options are available at the very top of the interface.

When you upload a photo to edit, Lumnar Neo’s AI will assess the image and apply a preset that it deems suitable.

You, of course, have the option to manually apply and configure a preset as well. These presets can be applied with a single click. You also get the option to adjust the intensity of any filter you apply by simply moving the below-depicted cursor back and forth.

As you can see, I’ve applied the ‘Pleasing Touch’ preset and kept the intensity at 100. You can preview the preset you’ve chosen without actually applying it.

#2) Layers

Layers are a great tool if you wish to turn your photos into something more dynamic. When you hit the ‘Edit’ button, the option to add layers to your image will be available to you on the left-hand side of your interface.

Once applied, you can adjust the applied layers’ opacity by simply moving the cursor up and down, just as depicted below.

I’ve applied the ‘Stardust’ layer on this image. You have the option to choose from a variety of layers from Luminar Neo’s library. With the help of Image Mapping, you’ll be able to resize the layer so it can fill up your image as per your requirements.

Overall, Layers is a fascinating feature that’s perfect for embellishing your images with a few extra elements.

3) Portrait Enhancing AI

What truly sets Luminar Neo apart from its contemporaries is its reliance on an advanced AI. One thing this AI can do is completely beautify and enhance a portrait image.

With Face AI, for instance, you can considerably enhance the facial features present in a photo. You’ll be able to lighten up a face or slim the cheeks by simply moving the cursor as depicted below.

You’ll also be able to enlarge the eyes, whiten teeth, darken lips, remove dark circles, or change the eye color altogether by adhering to the same technique.

With the Skin AI, you have the tools you need to beautify a face completely. By making a few simple adjustments, you can remove any defects visible on the skin, balance a few facial highlights, and make the skin glow.

Not just your face, but you can also make a few AI-driven adjustments to a body as well, like slimming the abdomen with the move of a cursor.

I made a few adjustments of my own to a particular portrait image, and the results were impressive. Although I went to the extreme to test this feature, Luminar Neo does a good job of making subtle facial feature changes in order to beautify an image, thus making the tool ideal for professionals in the model photography business.

#4) Portrait Brokeh AI

Brokeh is an exhaustively used effect when it comes to portraits. Brokeh is an effect where the details of a portrait appear blurry while the core subject of the image appears in crisp quality.

Many photographers have always found it challenging to apply this effect in post-production. To my pleasant surprise, Luminar Neo also takes the headache out of this endeavor.

You’ll find this feature under the ‘Portrait’ section on the right-hand side of your interface. We can apply automatically the filter with just a single click. Alternatively, you can apply the filter manually with the brush option.

Core AI Capabilities

Luminar Neo’s AI can automate a multitude of simple and complex editing tasks. Here are a few features driven by AI:

#1) Crop AI

Like your traditional photo editor, Luminar Neo allows you to crop your photos and presents you with various tools so you can do so manually. On the other hand, you can completely rely on this software to automate the entire cropping process.

Click on ‘Composition AI’ and the tool will crop the image appropriately after assessing it. The AI helps you attain accurate crops and compositions of your photos.

#2) Enhance AI

You can rely on Luminar Neo’s AI to completely transform the look of your overall image. It will automatically adjust the highlights, shadows, and contrast of your image to enhance its visuals. All you have to do is make adjustments to the slider presented to you.

#3) Sky AI

A single click is all you’ll need to replace the sky on your image. You get a ton of options to choose from. Besides replacing the sky, you can adjust the sky’s orientation, lighting, reflections, and more.

#4) Atmosphere AI

Besides the sky, you can also change the entire atmospheric mood of your photo. You can easily place haze, fog, or mist and make a few adjustments to your image.

#5) Structure AI

Sometimes images clicked in nature can be devoid of clarity. You can rely on Structure AI to sharpen certain details on an image so everything appears crystal clear to the naked eye. Just moving the slider will help you increase the contrast of an image and bring out certain details that were previously unclear.

#6) Supercontrast

Supercontrast is a new feature that lends you complete control over your image’s contrast. You are armed with six AI controls, which can be used to clearly define the mid-tones, shadows, and highlights present in your image.

#7) Relight AI

Relight is a feature that automatically brightens up an image to bring out certain underexposed elements in your image. The brightening feels natural and in no way affects the overall quality of your image.

#8) AI Masking

With the mask AI tool, Luminar Neo speeds up the entire masking process. Once selected, the AI identifies and breaks down different elements available in your image. For instance, the AI was able to identify the following elements – water, architecture, sky, and transport in my image.

Click on the element you wish to edit. Luminar Neo will mark that element in red. Whatever configurations you make from here moving forward, will be applied to the highlighted element.

Other Essential Features

#1) Denoise

If you notice graininess on your image, this is the feature offered by Luminar Neo to take care of it. You’ll be able to remove any form of unwanted grain for a relatively more clearly defined image with just a single click.

#2) Color Enhancement

I really like the control Luminar Neo grants its users to control the colors that appear on the photos they wish to edit. I was able to make the colors in my photo pop by easily adjusting the image’s vibrancy, hues, luminance, and saturation.

#3) Toning

If you want a much more balanced image, Luminar Neo delivers in this regard as well. You can easily rectify the overall brightness and contrast of your image with the toning feature available on this software, thus helping you achieve a precise visual tone for your photo.

#4) Erase

Getting rid of certain objects on your image is also very simple using Luminar Neo. To do so, all you have to do is select the ‘Erase’ feature from the right-hand side of your interface.

You are provided with an eraser whose size you can adjust. Once you have the eraser, use it to mark the object you wish to remove and hit the ‘erase’ button.

As you can see from the image above, I used the same technique to erase the boat appearing in the image partially. You’ll also be able to clear the erase mark or restore the erased object with just a single click.

#5) Dodge and Burn

This is a feature that allows you to localize your edit. Let’s say you wish to lighten or darken only a specific area of your image. You can do so with the help of a brush controller for a more accurate edit.

You can easily soften or strengthen your brush to perform your edits with the utmost precision. I found the water reflection in the above image to be a bit dark. So I used the ‘lighten’ brush to brighten that portion of the image.

Overall, I believe this is yet another impressive feature that truly testifies to the effort that has been put into the development of Luminar Neo.

#6) Object Cloning

With the help of this feature, you can replicate an object on your image without having to re-upload it. A great feature, especially when you consider how much time it can save you.

You start by first selecting the object you aspire to be cloned. After doing so, click on the space on the image where you want the replica to appear. You can adjust the clone’s appearance by making some softness and strength adjustments on the slider.

This is yet another feature that convinced me that Luminar Neo is, in fact, one of the best photo editing tools of the modern era.

Extensions

As you can see for yourself, Luminar Neo comes loaded with features. However, that is not the end of its offering. Recently, Skylum (the developers behind Luminar Neo) has also released seven extension packs that seamlessly go hand-in-hand with Luminar Neo’s core capabilities.

Here are all the extensions you can use via Luminar Neo:

#1) Supersharp AI: This extension assesses a photo and identifies blurs that missed focus or movements have caused. It then stabilizes the area to ensure you get an image that’s crisper and sharper.

#2) Noiseless AI: Similar to denoising, this extension gets rid of unwanted grains and noise from the image, resulting in a more clearly defined image. The extension works great with JPEG and RAW files.

#3) Upscale AI: This extension can be used to enhance an image’s resolution. It does a pretty good job of upscaling a photo by up to 600%. This is a great extension if you wish to enlarge sections of an image or restore old photos.

#4) Focus Stacking AI: Now this extension saves you time in repeat shots and reshoots. You can use it to alter the focus point in your images automatically in post-production.

#5) Background Removal AI: While Luminar Neo does offer background removal, this extension takes it to a new level. Completely AI-powered, you almost have to do nothing to remove and replace a background using this extension.

#6) HDR Merge: This extension streamlines the process of creating high-dynamic-range images. With this extension, you’ll be able to perform this otherwise tedious task in just a matter of two to three clicks.

#7) Magic Light AI: This extension manipulates the lighting of your image. You can use it to harden, soften, or brighten light. You’ll be able to add flares, and light trails, pull the warmth out of artificial lights.

Technical Support

While the tool is straightforward to use, you can rely on Luminar Neo’s 24/7 tech support to get you out of a bind if you find yourself in one. You can raise a ticket or refer to the massive knowledge base present on the official website.

There are blogs, FAQs, and tutorials that you can refer to address any issue you might face. Although I would have liked more intimate support, the tech support provided by Luminar Neo also works. The response to any ticket you raise is quite swift and the support team politely addresses any concerns you may have.

Pros and Cons

Luminar Neo is for You if:

• You are an amateur photographer
• You are a professional photographer
• You are interested in an AI-driven editing solution
• You are interested in creative presets, effects, and other filters
• You are a Mac or PC user

Luminar Neo isn’t for You if:

• You don’t need advanced AI features
• You are a budget-conscious buyer
• You use old hardware.

What are the Alternatives to Luminar Neo

When it comes to tools that could serve as ideal alternatives to Luminar Neo, I can think of two contenders.

#1) Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop is perhaps the most well-known photo editing tool you’ll find in the market today. This enterprise-grade tool comes loaded with an extensive set of features.

You can expect the tool to perform all sorts of image editing tasks. The tool is currently best known for performing tasks like image manipulation, retouching, and compositing.

Suggested Read => How to download Adobe Photoshop

#2) Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom is a tool that specifically caters to photographers. It comes jam-packed with features that together help users organize, edit, and enhance the overall quality of their photos. The tool is perhaps best known for its impressive non-destructive editing capabilities. It is also remarkably seamless when it comes to cataloging.

You can use Luminar Neo as a plug-in for both of the above tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Final Verdict – Should You Use Skylum Luminar Neo?

Loaded with features, a user-friendly interface, and powered by an advanced AI, Skylum’s Luminar Neo is hands-down one of the finest photo editing tools I’ve had the pleasure of using. The software essentially automates most simple and complex photo editing tasks, thus streamlining the process completely for its users.

While I did face performance issues, Luminar Neo ran smoothly enough to leave me satisfied in the end. From replacing skies to enhancing the overall quality of a portrait, Luminar Neo aced all the tasks I gave it.

I also like how simple the tool is despite possessing some sophisticated features. This is a tool that I have no issue recommending to casual beginners and professional editors alike. The tool is constantly receiving updates. So one can only hope that it further improves with regard to its performance.

Skylum’s Luminar Neo has my highest recommendation. If you were convinced by this review to give the tool a try, then visit the following link to download the software – Skylum Luminar Neo.