Instagram Guide: Enhance Colors and Details with Lux

Do you ever wish you could boost the color or bring out the details in a photo? Try the Lux feature on Instagram. It works with all of the 18 Instagram filters and you can apply the feature with a variety of subjects. Here is a guide to using the Lux feature.

The Lux feature is popular with Instagram users for cityscapes and landscapes to transform the look and mood of the images. Because the feature is so versatile, it also works great in almost any image you take including food photos or images in nature. When should you try the Lux feature? The best idea is to experiment with the 18 filters paired with Lux. Tap on the sun icon at the bottom of the app and then play with all of the Instagram filters to see if you have a favorite. In the Vancouver cityscape below, I paired the Lux feature with the Normal filter. I have included complete step-by-step directions for using the Lux feature at the end of this post.

Have you ever taken an underexposed photo or a photo in low lighting? Try out the Lux feature to bring out the details.

Complete step-by-step directions for using the Lux feature after the jump.

The Lux feature offers enhancements by boosting color and details. However, bringing out the details does not always transform your photo to the image you like. I photographed a dog with a beautiful light coat and the Lux feature added so many details the dog's fur appeared dark and grainy. With the Lux turned on, the dog's eyes changed color too.

How to use the Lux feature

1) Select an image to modify in Instagram and click on one of the photo filters listed on the bar at bottom of the app.

2) At the bottom of the app screen you will see a row of icons.

3) Click on the Instagram symbol that looks like the sun to make the symbol yellow.

4) Your image will imediately get a boost in color and detail. 

6) If you don't like the enhancement with the Lux feature, you can go back to the previous image by clicking on the sun icon again. When the Lux feature is turned off, the sun symbol is gray.

IMAGES: The Instagram images are by  me, Chris Olson using an iPhone 4 + Instagram. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:

Day 1: No Filter

Day 2: Amaro Filter

Day 3: Rise Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

Day 5: X-Pro II Filter

Day 6: Sierra Filter

Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter

Day 8: Earlybird Filter

Day 9: Sutro Filter

Day 10: Toaster Filter

Day 11: Brannan Filter

Day 12: Inkwell Filter

Day 13: Walden Filter

Day 14: Hefe Filter

Day 15: Valencia Filter

Day 16: Nashville Filter

Day 17: 1977 Filter

Day 18: Kelvin Filter

Get The Look: Add Some Glam in Instagram

Instagram Guide: Tilt-Shift Focus

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