Luminar Neo - Easy Background Removal with AI

Introduction

Hello friends! I hope you’re doing well. Thank you for stopping by. Today, I’m diving into Luminar Neo to explore the background removal AI function, which is one of the new extensions currently available. Now that I’m back from my trip to Iceland and am resettling, I want to start sharing videos about various extensions and technologies in the upcoming weeks.

Let’s get started with background removal AI! I've got an edited image featuring some canoes, and my goal is to separate these canoes from the rest of the photo. This process would work regardless of whether the photo has been edited or not.

Getting Started with Background Removal AI

To use the background removal AI extension (which requires a purchase), navigate to the layer properties and click on 'masking'. Here, you will find the 'background removal AI' option. Upon selecting it, the AI begins analyzing the image to identify the subject. While the AI may not always be 100% accurate, in this case, it's about 98.7% correct.

After clicking the background removal AI, a reasonable selection is created. It's essential to zoom in for better clarity; I recommend 300% zoom. You may notice that the selection misses some small details. This is where the refinements brush feature becomes handy.

Refining the Selection

The refinements brush has three options:

Transition Zone - This is the edge area.
Object - This is what you want to keep.
Background - This is what you want to remove (represented in blue).

To refine your selection, use a small brush size to paint over the areas that need adjustment. When you release the mouse, the AI updates the mask.

If you feel that some edges need additional refinement, you can use the refinements brush to add or remove areas from your selection. A good practice is to zoom in and ensure the mask is properly defined. You can also use the backslash key to view the original image, which can help in maintaining visibility while making adjustments.

Once you're satisfied with the mask, close the layer properties. Now that you have separated the canoes, it’s time to add a new background since canoes without water are rather pointless!

Adding a New Background

To add a new background, you’ll click on the plus sign to insert a new layer. From your images, you can either load a new one or select from the built-in options. In this instance, I've chosen a lake photo. However, since my lake image has a different aspect ratio (16:9) than the canoe image (3:2), I need to adjust it.

Use the fill option to match the aspect ratios so that the new background covers the transparent areas of the canoe image. Adjust the opacity to 100% to ensure that the lake displays correctly. Now, drag the canoe layer to the top of your layer stack; this will make it visible against the lake background.

You can reposition or resize the canoes as needed—remember to orient them in a way that makes sense visually. For instance, flipping the canoes may help them appear as if they are moving into the scene.

Working with Additional Images

Next, let’s consider another example using a puffin photo. You can also apply the background removal AI to animals, which can yield great results. Select the image, apply the background removal AI, and refine the selection as needed.

Once you’ve isolated the puffin, you can add a suitable Icelandic background. It’s crucial to match the light, color, and other elements between the two images for a convincing composite. Adjust the exposure and saturation levels as necessary to ensure both subjects feel like they belong in the same scene.

Final Touches

After adjusting and positioning the puffin, consider cropping your composite to enhance its composition. By manipulating layers, adjusting exposure, and fine-tuning the mask, you can create believable composites that showcase your creativity.

This background removal AI tool allows you to experiment and create striking composites without extensive technical know-how. Enjoy the process and remember to harmonize the characteristics of your subjects to enhance realism in your images.

Conclusion

I hope this overview of Luminar Neo's background removal AI has been helpful. Remember to take your time with masking and to think about light and color to achieve the best results. Stay tuned for more videos in the future, and until next time, take care!

Keyword

Luminar Neo
Background Removal AI
Image Editing
Canoes
Puffin
Composite Photo
Refinements Brush
Layer Properties
Aspect Ratio

FAQ

1. What is Luminar Neo's background removal AI?
Luminar Neo's background removal AI is a tool that automatically identifies and separates the subject from its background, making editing easier.

2. Do I need to purchase the background removal AI extension?
Yes, the background removal AI is an extension within Luminar Neo that requires a purchase to use.

3. How can I refine my selection after using the AI?
You can use the refinements brush option to paint over areas that require adjustment, indicating to the AI what to include or exclude in your selection.

4. How do I add a new background after removing the original?
You can add a new layer and import the background image, adjusting the aspect ratio and layer order to display your composition correctly.

5. What should I consider when making composite images?
Pay attention to the lighting, color balance, and other characteristics between the subject and the background for a more cohesive look in your composite image.