# How to make a Photo more Creative There are various ways to add creativity to your photo and turn the original image into a piece of art. Let’s take a look at some techniques that you can use in **Luminar Neo** on the example photo with these swans. {% @arcade/embed flowId="boldTjzYgSN8mwrBE6is" url="" %} *** ### 1. Color Grading * Make a shift of some colors to unify them or make them more contrasting.\ For example, you may turn **yellows into more orange**, and **blues into more cyan**. ➡️ **Steps:** * Go to the [**Color**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/essential-tools/color) tool * Open the **HSL** panel * Switch to **Hue**, drag the “yellow” and the “blue” sliders left * Switch to **Saturation** under HSL panel * Drag the sliders right to increase saturation for **orange** and **cyan** *** ### 2. Temperature Contrast Create a temperature contrast between the **main subject** and the **background**. ➡️ **Steps:** * Go to [**Develop**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/essential-tools/develop-raw-develop) **tool** → **Masking** → **Object Select AI** * Keep the selecting “+” cursor in **Add** mode and click on the swans * Refine selected areas (include reflection) with [**Masking Brush**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/masking-options/brush-mask) * Switch to **Adjustments** → **Color** * Add **warmer temperature** and more **magenta tint** to make the swans pop against the cool water *** ### 3. Gradients and Lighting Use **linear** or **radial gradients** to control or balance the lighting. ➡️ **Steps:** * Use [**Relight AI**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/creative-tools/relight-ai) **tool** → **Masking** → [**Linear Gradient**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/masking-options/linear-gradient-mask) * Add the gradient to the darker part of the image (bottom) * Switch to **Adjustments**, drag **Brightness Far/Near** sliders to the right {% hint style="success" %} Apply the same gradient to the **left and right** edges {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} 📌 Optional: Use [**Radial Gradient**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/masking-options/using-a-radial-mask) to reduce light on the swans, if needed {% endhint %} *** ### 4. Black & White Elements Use the [**Black & White**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/essential-tools/black-and-white) tool to convert the entire photo or parts of it. ➡️ **Creative Tip:** * Leave one part of the image in color (e.g. swans) * Turn the rest to black-and-white (e.g. background) **Steps:** * Go to **Masking** → **Object Select AI** → "Add" mode * Select areas around the swans * Refine with the **Masking Brush**, if needed * Switch to **Adjustments** → **Convert to B\&W** *** ### 5. Background Blur Blur the background to emphasize the subject. ➡️ **Steps:** * Use the [**Blur**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/creative-tools/blur) **Tool** * Select the background with **Object Select AI** (skip swans) * Switch to **Adjustments**, select the blur type (e.g. "Motion") * Adjust **Amount** slider to the right *** ### 6. Textures Add texture for a creative film-like or artistic look. ➡️ **Steps:** * Use the [**Film Grain**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/creative-tools/film-grain) tool for grain effects * Add external textures via the **Layers** tool * Explore packs like: * [*Artist's Surface Overlays by Nicole S. Young*](https://skylum.com/marketplace/textures/artists-surface?utm_source=support\&utm_medium=organic\&utm_campaign=content) * [*Scratches Textures Pack*](https://skylum.com/marketplace/textures/scratches?utm_source=support\&utm_medium=organic\&utm_campaign=content) {% hint style="success" %} Experiment with **opacity** and **blend modes** in **Layer Properties** {% endhint %} *** ### 7. Double Exposure Overlay two images to achieve a surreal effect. ➡️ **Steps:** * Use the [**Layers**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/layers) tool to add a second image * Set **opacity** to \~50% so both images are visible *** ### 8. Sky Replacement Change the mood of the photo by replacing the sky. ➡️ **Step:** * Use the [**Sky AI**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/landscape-tools/sky-ai) tool to replace the sky with another one of a different color or pattern *** ### 9. Sparkling/Shining Effects Add magical lighting effects for extra flair. ➡️ **Tools to Use:** * [**Sunrays Tool**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/landscape-tools/sunrays) — Add natural-looking sunlight * [**Glow Tool**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/creative-tools/glow) — Add glow to key areas * [**Mystical Tool**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/creative-tools/mystical) — Enhance glow in lighter zones * [**Magic Light Tool**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/creative-tools/magic-light-ai) — Place sparkling light sources anywhere *** ### 10. Generate a New Object or Effect Use [**Gen Swap**](https://support.skylum.com/catalog-tools/generative-tools/genswap) to create new, imaginative elements in your scene. ➡️ **Tip:** * Let your creativity guide you—try new decorations or fantasy-style additions! *** 💡 **Bonus Tip:**\ Explore even more tools like [**Structure AI**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/essential-tools/structure-ai), [**Atmosphere AI**,](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/landscape-tools/atmosphere-ai) [**Dramatic**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/creative-tools/dramatic), [**Vignette**](https://support.skylum.com/editing-tools/essential-tools/vignette), and others in Luminar Neo to continue unlocking your photo’s creative potential! --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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