In the last few years, significant developments in experimental methods for optical control of laser beams have taken place. One such technique, based on liquid crystal spatial light modulators (SLMs), has found applications for example to make detectors for high energy physics [1, 2], pattern battery electrodes for electric vehicles or tailored heat treatments to control parts metallurgy. For example, one method uses spatially structured light, shaped into a radial geometry which, when focused with a high Numerical Aperture (NA) microscope objective, induces highly localised longitudinal electric fields [3]. In other applications, laser intensity distribution can be tailored dynamically to each specific condition during the process. More recently, SLM based technique evolved towards multi-hundred-watt applications, opening new avenues such as tailored heat treatment and localised metallurgy control. In this research, example applications using laser beam manipulation with an SLM are demonstrated from low to high power. Case studies are shown, exploring the processing of materials under various experimental conditions. Application examples illustrate processing radiation hard materials for high energy dosimeters using dynamic control of laser optical parameters. Furthermore, a new methodology for high power beam manipulation with an SLM is presented.