1. Importing and Initial Adjustments:
* Import Your Image: Open Luminar and import the portrait you want to retouch.
* Develop Module (Essentials/Edit Tab):
* Exposure: Correct the overall brightness of the image. Don't be afraid to push it a little if the subject is underexposed.
* Contrast: Add or reduce contrast to enhance or soften the details. Be mindful of over-sharpening features.
* White Balance: Adjust to ensure skin tones appear natural. Use the eyedropper tool to sample a neutral area (if present) for a starting point.
* Color (HSB/HSL): Fine-tune individual colors. Pay attention to the orange and red hues, which heavily impact skin tones. Adjust saturation and luminance for a natural glow.
* Structure: Gently increase structure for more definition, especially in hair or clothing. Be careful not to overdo it on the skin, as it can emphasize texture.
2. The Power of Portrait AI (or Portrait in Luminar Neo):
* Locate Portrait AI/Portrait: Find this tool in the "Portrait" section of the Edit tab (Luminar Neo) or the "Essentials" panel (Luminar AI). It automatically detects faces in the image.
* Face AI (Skin AI in Luminar Neo): This is the core of the retouching process.
* Skin Smoothing: This slider intelligently smooths skin without removing texture entirely. Start with a low value and gradually increase it until you achieve the desired effect. Avoid over-smoothing, which can make the skin look plastic.
* Shine Removal (Luminar AI): Reduces excess shine on the face.
* Microstructure (Luminar AI): Enhances the texture of the skin (use sparingly, often in conjunction with smoothing to balance).
* Skin Defect Removal: Let Luminar automatically try to remove blemishes. If it misses some, move on to the next step.
* AI Skin Defects Removal (Luminar Neo): An upgraded algorithm that better detects and removes imperfections in the skin.
3. Targeted Blemish Removal (Erase Tool/Clone & Stamp):
* Erase Tool (Edit Tab - Luminar Neo) or Clone & Stamp (Essentials Tab - Luminar AI): Use this tool for any blemishes the AI didn't remove.
* Erase Tool: (Luminar Neo) This is usually more seamless and easier to use for small blemishes. Select the tool, adjust the brush size, and paint over the blemish.
* Clone & Stamp: (Luminar AI) Choose a source area with clean skin that matches the color and texture of the area you want to repair. Click on the source and then paint over the blemish.
* Feathering: Use feathering (a setting often found in these tools) to blend the repaired area smoothly into the surrounding skin.
* Opacity: Reduce the opacity of the tool if you need a more subtle effect.
4. Eye Enhancement:
* Eye AI (Portrait AI section):
* Eye Whitening: Brightens the whites of the eyes. Don't overdo it, as it can look unnatural.
* Eye Enhancement: Adds sharpness and detail to the eyes, making them more captivating.
* Dark Circle Removal: Reduces the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.
* Iris Flare: (Luminar AI) Adds a subtle catchlight to the iris.
* Develop Module (Targeted Adjustments):
* Clarity: Add a touch of clarity specifically to the eyes for added sharpness and sparkle. Use masking if needed.
* Color/HSL: Slightly increase the saturation of the iris color if desired, but keep it natural.
5. Lip Enhancement:
* Mouth AI (Portrait AI section):
* Lip Saturation: Adjust the saturation of the lips for a more vibrant look.
* Lip Redness: Add redness to enhance lips
* Lip Darkening: Darken the tone of the lips.
6. Face Shape and Light Adjustments:
* Face AI (Portrait AI section):
* Slim Face: Subtly slim the face shape. Use with caution and very low values to avoid distorting the subject.
* Face Lightening: Brightens the face, especially the center.
* Highlights/Shadows: Use the Develop module to balance the light on the face.
* Dodge & Burn (Luminar Neo): This is a manual tool that is found in the "Edit" tab and it will allow you to selectively lighten and darken parts of the face, to increase shape.
7. Skin Details and Texture:
* High Frequency and Low Frequency separation: It is an advanced technique. You have to create the layers with this structure and then apply the effects and filters to each. The benefits include the ability to work on the skin without losing detail.
8. Hair Adjustments:
* Hair AI (Portrait AI section):
* Hair Improvement: Improve the details on the hair, which will make the hair strands look better.
* Hair Darkening: Darken the tone of the hair.
* Hair Shine: Increase the shine of the hair.
* Develop Module (Targeted Adjustments):
* Clarity/Structure: Add definition to the hair (use masking if needed).
* Highlights/Shadows: Adjust the brightness and contrast of the hair.
* Color/HSL: Tweak the color of the hair if desired.
9. Background Adjustments (Optional):
* Atmosphere AI (Luminar AI) / Atmosphere (Luminar Neo): Add subtle haze or fog to the background for depth.
* Develop Module: Blur the background using the "Details" panel (reduce sharpness and add noise reduction) or masking to isolate the subject.
* Masking: Accurately select the background and apply adjustments without affecting the subject.
10. Final Touches:
* Color Grading: Adjust the overall color tone of the image to create a specific mood. Use the Color Grading panel (found in the Edit/Essentials tab).
* Vignette: Add a subtle vignette to draw the viewer's eye towards the subject.
* Sharpening: Add a final touch of sharpening, but only if necessary.
* Before/After: Regularly compare the "before" and "after" versions of your image to ensure you haven't gone too far with your adjustments.
General Tips for Portrait Retouching in Luminar:
* Be Subtle: The key to good portrait retouching is to enhance the subject's natural beauty without making them look artificial.
* Zoom In: Zoom in to 100% or higher to accurately assess the effects of your adjustments, especially when working on skin details.
* Non-Destructive Editing: Luminar is non-destructive, meaning your original image is never altered. Experiment freely!
* Layers: Use layers to isolate adjustments and create complex effects. Luminar Neo allows you to build sophisticated workflows.
* Masking is Your Friend: Use masks to target specific areas of the image, allowing for precise control over your adjustments.
* Practice: The more you practice, the better you'll become at portrait retouching.
Key Differences Between Luminar AI and Luminar Neo for Portrait Retouching:
* Core Engine: Luminar Neo uses a newer engine, resulting in faster performance and greater flexibility.
* Layers: Luminar Neo offers a layer-based workflow, similar to Photoshop, allowing for more complex editing. Luminar AI has a simpler, more streamlined approach focused on templates and AI-powered tools.
* Portrait AI vs. Portrait (Neo): While both offer similar functionality, the algorithms and specific tools within each are slightly different. For example, Luminar Neo has more AI skin defect removal and adjustments.
* Extension Support: Luminar Neo allows for the addition of extensions, expanding its capabilities. Some extensions might be particularly useful for portrait retouching.
* User Interface: The interface is slightly different, with Luminar AI being simpler and more geared towards quick results, while Luminar Neo offers more control and customization.
By following these steps and tips, you can achieve professional-looking portrait retouches in Luminar AI or Luminar Neo, enhancing your subjects' beauty and creating stunning images. Remember to prioritize natural-looking results and avoid over-processing.