Learn how to…Enhance skies in Luminar

“Luminar’s latest update is full of tools to make the skies in your images more interesting”

- Ian Evenden

Luminar is putting out updates at a fast rate right now. The 4.2 release has added new AI tools for replacing and enhancing skies, some additional portrait tools, and there have been some changes behind the scenes, improving the way the program works with multicore processors and opening up compatibility with thirdparty plugins such as Topaz, Aurora HDR and the Nik Collection.

The improved multicore efficiency means the program will run faster on higher-end processors, but all CPUs should see a bit of a boost. It’s the new sky enhancements that are most interesting, though, as they allow you to quickly build up an artwork quite different to your original image.

A free trial of Luminar can be obtained from http://skylum.com/ luminar (drop down the Luminar menu at the top) where you’ll also find a full beginner’s guide.

Step-by-step Watch the skies

1 Open a picture

Luminar does things differently, there’s no File > Open here.

Use the big ‘+’ button at the top left to either add a folder, which gives you a filmstrip of images on the left to choose from, or to edit a single image. These options are also available from the File menu, but the button is a bit faster. The app is a non-destructive editor, so your files won’t be overwritten with your edits.

2 Skies

Find a picture with a visible horizon, as this will work best.