Recently I decided to try out Skylum Luminar, a new photo editing software that competes with, and may I say, possibly outperforms Adobe Lightroom.
As the name sort of implies, up until now, Macphun products have been for Mac only – but not anymore! This week they are releasing Luminar for Windows as well! So please keep reading and watch the videos below to see if this is the software for you.
Luminar stand-alone version
Macphun has two versions of Luminar available.
You can use it by itself as a stand-alone product, or as a plugin for Lightroom or Photoshop (or Aperture if you use that still). I will walk you through both to show you how they work.
Stand along photo editing with Luminar is for you if . . .
This version of the Luminar photo editor is for you if you can relate to any or all of the following:
- You currently aren’t editing your images at all.
- You do not have Lightroom or Photoshop.
- The Adobe subscription model drives you nuts and you refuse to participate in it.
- You’re looking to upgrade from a simple image processor like Apple Photos or Windows Photo Editor.
What Luminar can do for your images
In this first video, you will see the stand-alone version.
So, what do you think?
Pretty slick hey? So if you’re ready to give Luminar a try just head over to their site and buy it and dive right in.
Before and after images
Luminar as a plugin for Lightroom
You can also use Luminar as a plugin for Lightroom, Photoshop, Aperture, and even Apple Photos!
The plugin version of the Luminar photo editor is for you if . . .
This plugin version of Luminar is for you if you can relate to any or all of the following:
- You already use LR, PS, Aperture or Photos to process your images.
- Photoshop baffles you but you’re wondering if there is another level you can get to with your images.
- You like to play around and experiment with your photos, processing is half the fun.
What else Luminar can do for your images
In this video, you will see the plugin version in conjunction with Lightroom.
Before and after images
Overall thoughts about Luminar
I have tried quite a few plugins and other alternatives for photo editing, looking for something that I could recommend to you. None of them have stacked up, which is why you haven’t heard me talk about them. Until now that is with Luminar.
Overall I am really impressed with that you can do with this software.
It’s flexible, it works non-destructively so you never have to worry about ruining your original images, it’s fairly intuitive and easy to use (I think so anyway), and best of all – no subscription model and it’s under $100!
With a trial version available for download what have you got to lose?
Any cons or drawbacks?
- I did find the stand-alone version took a bit long to open raw files, but not ridiculously long.
- There isn’t currently a browser module for the stand-alone version but I understand that’s a future feature that will be added later.
- I haven’t perfected the texture overlay tool yet – but I think I need to find the right image and texture and play with it a bit more.
Bottom line here is that it’s still a fairly new product and there will always be bugs (expect a few in the Windows beta version – there was with Lightroom too so don’t hold that against Macphun). But the Macphun team are very responsive and listen to requests. I’m excited to see where they take Luminar and am glad I’m getting on the ground floor.
Your turn
So what are you waiting for? Go get Luminar Neo and try it out for yourself.
Please share your Luminar processed images in the comments below. If you have any questions about it I’ll try and answer them if I can – I’m new to using it to remember, but I’ll do my best or point you in the right direction for help.
Cheers,
NOTE FYI Hey all! – Skylum (Macphun) announced in their support group on FB today that there will be an update for Luminar on the 18th. You can see it here if you’re on Facebook. Just join the group if you have Luminar. You’ll likely get an email about it as well. https://www.facebook.com/groups/skylumsupport/permalink/1971481023089847/
For those of you who had issues with the Windows version – this might help immensely. As I said, this is brand new software so let them solve the issues before sending it back or giving up.
WINDOWS USERS
Work faster. Luminar can now launch more quickly. Plus you’ll see a faster-editing performance and better RAM usage.
Save Native files. Be sure to save your editing projects in the new native Luminar format. This makes it easy to come back and edit as you can even store the History states and source files in the document. Plus files can be shared between Mac and Windows users.
Clone & Stamp released. Remove objects and blemishes with ease!
LUT Mapping. Any LUT you’ve chosen can now be stored to a preset with no need to link to the original .cube file.
More export control. You can choose to export to the Adobe RGB wide color profile or the ProPhoto space on export. You can also sharpen an exported file which is great for printing.
Better masking controls. Users can adjust both the feather and density controls on a mask to refine the blending of layers. When editing a mask, a user can also press the X hotkey to toggle between Paint/Erase brush mode.
More editing control. Now even more raw formats can be edited natively with our RAW Develop filter. All filters also support advanced blending mode options as well.
Great review, thanks Darlene. I have purchased Luminar and, with my limited experience, it seems great; especially the AI filter 🙂 . However, a few months back I started using Nik software for B&W conversion (I think it is Silver Efex Pro but can’t remember off the top of my head). Anyway for B&W conversion the Nik conversion seemed great; and, I have not managed to get the same results from Luminar.
Do you have any comments on Tonality Pro (B&W conversion software from the makers of Luminar)? I ask because apparently NIk software will no longer be supported by Google. So, I foresee compatibility problems with LR CC upgrades and want to know whether there is a significant difference between the B&W conversion in Luminar and Tonality Pro. Obviously I need to ‘master’ Luminar but I’m wondering about Tonality. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Cheers dave
Yes I have Tonality as well and there are more options. If you buy the entire Macphun suite you can use them with Luminar as plugins. Or just get the one(s) you want to add.
Thanks Darlene (I’m already using Luminar as a plugin for LR CC rather than wanting a standalone version)
If we ignore the cost (and I know for many people this is the number one concern), then would you suggest that the extra features in Tonality Pro are significantly better than Luminar for B&W conversion? In this context, if they require many hours of learning then for me, at least, they wouldn’t be be better. Sorry, I know this is a bit of a ‘how long is a piece of string’ question.
Hi Dave, sorry I haven’t played with both enough to compare those features. Perhaps something to look at next! So I can’t really say, sorry. There is a free trial on Tonality – why not download it and have a look yourself?
Hi Darlene, no problem; thanks for taking the time to reply. In a rush of blood to the head, I purchased Tonality (without giving it a trial first). Well, not quite; but, I have a propensity to buy things that look good superficially but are not always so good when I get to use them. Fortunately, however, Tonality is GREAT! I can’t quite articulate what it is yet, but certainly for B&W I’d highly, recommend Tonality. Hope the weather is good where you are 🙂
Thank-you Darlene for the review on Macphun Luminar. After watching the video several times, I decided this might just be the photo processor for me; now I know what presets are! I downloaded the Windows beta version and have been delighted and amazed by the difference that even a small adjustment can make on a photo. I’m wondering if Luminar for Windows is available for purchase-so far I have only found offers for the Mac version. I think the purchased version will have more options than the trial version. Thank-you
HI Rita – they are just in beta phase now the full release is slated for later fall sometime, not sure when. But as a tester you will get notice when it’s available to purchase. And I’m glad you liked it – I think it will be a good solution for many people.
Hi Darlene,
Is there an automask feature like LR?
No not exactly the same but similar
Just tried it with Elements 14 and works fine. Have been using Luminar since it came out and love it. i use it mostly as a plugin with lightroom.
Good to know thanks.
I only looked at the first video. I didn’t see or hear you mention anything about Luminar’s ability to retouch, clone or merge multiple photos. Before downloading the trial version can you tell me if these are available on Luminar.
Yes there is a cloning feature. I tested it on a few dust spots but nothing more complex than that. You need to do it at the end of make a stamp layer as it merges them all after you’re done cloning. I don’t believe you can merge photos – but there is a sky replace feature which I didn’t try – not my style. But you can add a layer with another image and change blend modes and mask – so I imagine you can. I’d say download the trial, it costs nothing to do so, and try it yourself to see if it does what you need.
Thanks Darlene. I did download the trial and have just purchased the stand alone version – I have a lot to learn and practice! Thank you for sharing this with your readers.
Ley me know how you make out!
Will the new Windows version work as a plugin for LR 5.7 and PS CS5?
Yes I believe so – for any version of LR or PS
Kevin here from Macphun. The Luminar for Windows “public beta” released last week does not yet have the ability to run as a plug-in. When the product ships later this year, it will for sure be able to do so. 😉
Great thanks!
Is there a Photoshop plug in, or only for Lightroom?
Yes for PS as well. Check under the features list – are you Mac or PC?
PC, and thank you!
Just grab the beta version here then! http://macphun.evyy.net/c/172714/383515/3255
Hi ernldo and Darlene – the current public beta of Luminar for Windows is not able to run as a plug-in yet. The final shipping version due later this year will be able to do so. For now, you’ll have to “test” it by running as a standalone app! Kevin (from Macphun)
Can you use Luminar as a Photoshop Elements plugin?
Hmm not sure. Kevin??
You can definitely use the Mac version of Luminar as a plug-in to PS Elements. Not the Luminar for Windows public beta yet, though. Kevin (from Macphun)
Doesn’t look like it sorry Jim. BUT you could use it as the stand alone just fine. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c9170119493b442e99113458f5cfda63ad3e2e5dc9b0f1530279bad41b8bf368.png
Thanks for sharing your review of Luminar, Darlene, and a fantastic set of images to really show what the software is capable of – they were really amazing to browse! When your fans get a hold of the software, I think they’ll also love the new Accent filter (powered by AI), the one-click presets and the ability to use layers/brushes.
Again… nice job on the review and I’m glad you’re on the “ground-floor” too – we have tons of new features in the works for the future! 😉 Best, Kevin (from Macphun)
Thanks Kevin! I literally spent hours playing with it and finding the perfect images to showcase it. Glad you liked them.
See I told you guys they’re responsive!! Great company, much friendlier than Adobe! 😉