Recently, the makers of the widely used photo editing software Luminar Neo, Skylum, announced their newest addition, the Studio Light plug-in. This exciting new feature is set to be released at the end of the month.
I had the unique opportunity to try out an early version of Studio Light. It’s important to note that this was a beta version, so some aspects might change before the official release.
Studio Light is crafted to enable photographers to mimic professional studio lighting effects during post-processing. The plug-in offers various lighting and color options, allowing for the addition of diverse lighting effects and colors in different areas of a portrait.
In my trial with the beta version, I experimented with adjusting light positions and using two distinct patterns that produced either a dot or strip effect. An intriguing option was moving a light circle across the image, which casts light according to the chosen depth point. While testing, I noticed a texture feature that promises numerous shadow patterns, like palm trees or window blinds, although it wasn’t fully operational yet. This feature is anticipated to be available by August 31st.
The plug-in provides control over the light’s horizontal and vertical positions, as well as its depth relative to the subject. In the beta, I found this feature quite effective, though it sometimes didn’t perfectly recognize depth as I envisioned. Nevertheless, a handy masking tool simplified adding or removing light in desired areas.
Strategically positioning the Depth Center allows for precise control, enabling light to emanate from one side of the image, impacting only the areas near the center marker.
With the integration of AI tools and plug-ins like Studio Light, Luminar Neo has made image editing faster and more intuitive. While Studio Light might not be Skylum’s most groundbreaking plug-in, it complements Luminar Neo’s existing features well, contributing to creating captivating images. It offers effects similar to Face AI, but with the added capability to shape light differently. The AI in Studio Light also applies lighting effects to the entire subject in a portrait, unlike Face AI, which focuses only on the face.
Skylum has enhanced Luminar Neo’s capabilities with AI-based plug-ins like Studio Light, transforming mundane images into striking portraits quickly. Studio Light is another valuable addition to Neo’s impressive array of editing tools, making the process enjoyable and straightforward.
For those interested, Luminar Neo is available on the Skylum website, as well as in the Microsoft Store and the Apple macOS App Store.
