August 2023
Lincoln, Nebraska.
Sometimes, I just like to experiment with AI tools. Looking at this photo, I processed it from a Cell Pic ten months ago, I think it may be a little over the top. But hey, I liked it when I first processed it. I was experimenting with a new feature in Luminar Neo and posted my thoughts about the then-current release here in 2024. In that post, I selected a different photo to share the then-new Twilight Enhancement feature. The feature was added in version 1.19. Skylum Software is currently on version 1.23.
The tool is sophisticated in that you can mask the photo so not all parts of the image are affected, and you can choose from several base colors. In this case, I decided on the default Mauve setting.
The tool offers several options to tweak specific portions of the image. Behind the dropdown are adjustments labeled Sky, Dawn, Scene, Water, and Mask Refinement. The tool can even detect and enhance water reflections to ensure the reflection mirrors the changes in the sky.
The Amount and Exposure sliders allow you to adjust the strength of the effect and the photo’s exposure, which is especially useful for blue-hour simulations. Automated creative tools can be helpful for artists intent on displaying alternate realities, but they should be used sparingly.
Feel free to comment on your likes or dislikes of this or other AI tools. You can also look closer at my Flickr album’s original and modified photos here.
I encourage fellow bloggers to create their own Cellpic Sunday posts. I never have a specific topic for this feature, and the only rules are that the photo must be captured with a cell phone, iPad, or another mobile device… If you have an image from a drone or even a dashcam, that’s also acceptable. The second rule is to link your challenge response to this post or leave a comment here with a link to your post in the comment. Oh, you don’t have to post it on a Sunday.
John Steiner
Journeys with Johnbo 
lovely photo 🙂
Cellpic Sunday – Mosel | Ladyleemanila
Thanks, Ladylee!
[…] Johns Cellpic Sunday […]
I really like that garden. The effects work well
Here’s my Cellpic Sunday
It’s a beautiful garden, even without the photo tweaking.
I agree. The other photos you have shared have been so good as well
Quite a difference.
Here are my more painfully done phone photos: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2025/06/29/a-memorable-restaurant/
Thanks, I. J. I’ve already seen your post of that nice restaurant. What a nice place. We have so few locally owned restaurants in this country.
John, your original photo is beautiful but you made it magical with your edits.
Here’s mine https://wanderingdawgs.com/2025/06/29/cellpic-sunday-bloody-point-beach/
Thanks, Beth!
[…] Shared with John’s Cellpic Sunday […]
Very beautiful 👌
Thank you, Neeraj!
You certainly make full use of editing and AI tools. Kudos John.
Thanks, Brad. My wife thinks I spend too much time editing. >grin< She prefers going out to capture the photos.
I like the going out part better too.
What a beautiful picture to begin with John. However, I like the reality of the second edit.
Thanks, Anne! That garden is one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever visited.
It is beautiful!
[…] for Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday and Lens-Artists: […]
The editing feature works great to capture that twilight effect, John! Like Anne said, it’s a beautiful image already. Always fun to see how a filter or post-editing can enhance a somewhat ordinary shot–which is what I did today to make it work for lens-artists.
https://secondwindleisure.com/2025/06/29/sunday-stills-show-your-patriotism-with-flags/
The garden is so beautiful, I had qualms about modifying the reality. >grin<
It looks good and natural. There is a difference, of course but it did get the same feel
Thanks, Janni!
A lovely image, John, and very nicely edited.
Thanks, Joanne!
[…] Cellpic Sunday – Sunken Gardens Twilight Experiment […]
I love that twilight feature in Neo. It offers a lot of flexibility.
I don’t often use it, but I have enhanced true twilight photos by adding just a tish of this tool.
It’s one of those tools to use sparingly just to bring out a hint of color.
[…] For Cellpic Sunday […]
https://judydykstrabrown.com/2025/06/29/silver-baubles/
Nice pic. There is one thing that caught my eye – the color of the sky on the topmost part seems a bit unreal. When I am processing with Luminar, I have also seen this happen sometimes. Otherwise I like the overall effect. My entry here – https://flightsofthesoul.wordpress.com/2025/06/29/summer/
Now that you point it out, I can’t unsee it. >grin< The color needs to be a bit darker, and maybe a linear gradient could be applied to the very top to reduce both the exposure and the intensity of the blue.
[…] For Cellpic Sunday […]
It turned out well, John.
[…] John’s Cell Pic Sunday […]
Very creative blog post! For how long are you travel writing?
I started this blog in March, 2013. Thank you.
That’s awesome! I started with travel blogging in 2016. Will by the way organize a Master Travel Journalism the 7th of September. Maybe you would like to join us? https://www.skool.com/digital-nomad-academy-6519/about