A few months ago I started to feel like my post-processing routine was getting a bit stale. I guess as soon as I can call it a routine I should be changing it up a bit! But the software I was using had some problems.
My workflow consists of 1, 2 or 3 steps, depending on what I want to do with the image:
Step 1: RAW processing using Lightroom – sometimes this is all it takes
Step 2: More complex processing using Photoshop Elements – this is where I’ll do more complicated cloning and healing, blending exposures, and anything that requires making selections (and until now anything that required the use of layers and masks – more coming up on that later)
Step 3: Adding filter effects using other software such as one or more of the Topaz plugins or Nik Color Efex Pro.
It’s this third step of the process where I felt problems were lurking.
Some Background
Here’s a little background on what’s wrong with the software I was using. If you’re not interested, just skip down to find out more about Luminar.
First there’s Topaz. I absolutely love Topaz plugins and I’m still using them. The problem is that Topaz Labs is rolling those plugins into their new Topaz Studio, which doesn’t play nice with Lightroom. That’s a deal breaker for me. I’ve been in contact with their support team, but they still haven’t fixed it and Studio has been out for months. Support for my favourite plugins is ending as they roll them into Studio. It’s very disappointing.
Then there’s Nik. I used to love Nik Color Efex Pro, but the writing was on the wall in 2016 when Google made it free, simultaneously announcing they wouldn’t be developing it anymore, and fired the team that was working on it. Then this year Google announced they wouldn’t be supporting it anymore either. And in fact, it broke in the latest update of Photoshop CC. While the software has now been bought by another company, we don’t know if or when a new version might come out. Besides, you’re about to find out why Luminar goes way beyond the current version of Nik.
Then, for HDR, I’ve been using Photomatix, which is just feeling old and boring. Nothing new here.
So I decided to spend some time searching for new alternatives for post-processing. After trying a variety of software packages, I have 2 new favourites made by the same company: Luminar and Aurora (for HDR) both made by MacPhun.
If you’re interested in HDR, check out my full review and video demo of Aurora HDR 2018.
Why Luminar is my new Fave
I tried a number of different software packages, and Luminar 2018 SuperNova came out on top. Why?
First: it works. Photos come in and out of Lightroom like a breeze – an absolute must in my book.
Second: it’s easy and fun. There are all kinds of presets and filters to work with. Some of the filters are very similar to ones I used to use in Nik Color Efex like “pro contrast” and “darken/lighten center”.
Third: Layers and Masks!!!! More on that below, but this is huge.
Fourth: the results are beautiful.
Here is a video demonstration where you can see how I processed one of my photos from my recent trip to Scotland.
My favourite filters
Here’s a look inside some of my favourite filters in Luminar:
Accent AI
This filter automatically analyzes your image and instantly corrects it using over a dozen controls at once, yielding naturally beautiful results with one simple slider! Accent can substitute for many traditional controls like shadows, highlights, contrast, tone, saturation, exposure, details and others.
Golden Hour
Use the Golden Hour filter to bring warmth, softness, and golden glow to all of your photos. Simply dial in the amount of warm toning using the Amount slider and use the Saturation slider to introduce an even more overall color vibrancy. Quickly emulate the magic that happens just after sunrise or just before sunset.
Image Radiance
The Image Radiance filter gives an overall “dreamy” look by adding a glow to the lighter areas of the image. This is a great filter to use for portraits and even landscapes to create soft, saturated results.
Advanced Contrast
With this simple yet powerful filter, you can create a more detailed and dramatic image. Adjust and accentuate different aspects that affect the overall contrast of your photo. Add more dimension to your photos to make them stand out!
And for those of you who like to delve into digital art:
Sun Rays
The sun rays filter allows you to add artificial sun rays to your image for a very dramatic effect. You can adjust the location and size of the sun as well as the number, length and tone of the rays. Very cool!
Texture Overlay
Texture overlay lets you can blend two images together. This can be used for a fine art look, to create vintage-style photos, create double exposures and more. Change the amount of the texture effect, zoom and use blend modes for more options.
But wait, here’s the best part …
Layers and Layer Masks!!
Using layers and layer masks within Luminar means that every filter you apply has it’s own layer mask and it’s super easy to paint on the effect only where you want it.
This is HUGE!!
Before this, if you wanted an effect applied only to one part of an image, you would have to use layers in Photoshop. Now it’s all just a bit easier when you can do that in Luminar. It works with the presets too. So if you like how one preset looks on the foreground and how another preset looks on the sky, it’s no problem at all to make that happen with two clicks and a few brush strokes.
In just a couple of minutes I took this photo:
And made it into this:
How does this fit in with Aurora?
Earlier I mentioned my other new favourite piece of software which is MacPhun’s Aurora HDR. That software is used to blend exposures for high dynamic range images. It also has presets and filters that work in the same was as those in Luminar and it even has layers and layer masks. The filters in Aurora are mostly related to the HDR-ness of your photo like HDR Enhance, HDR Structure and HDR Details Boost. It also has a few of the same filters that are in Luminar.
But Luminar has a whole bunch of other things that are not related to HDR. So once you’re done in Aurora, you can then move over to Luminar for more effects if you want.
If you’re not working on high dynamic range images, just stick with Luminar.
If you want to try Luminar 2018 SuperNova, you can get $10 off by entering the code MCKINNELL
Click here to get more details and order Luminar 2018 SuperNova.
Here are some more examples of images I processed with Luminar 2018 SuperNova.
Hi Anne
Loved the Luminar video and the software has really set me thinking about purchasing it, but like you I usually do not to dive in the deep end and buy new software until I am sure it is software that I really need.
I note ‘Lightroom’ is not going to be supported by Adobe which is something that does not affect me as I do not have ‘Lightroom’, but I do use ‘Photoshop Elements’ and ‘Adobe Camera Raw’ quite a lot.
On reading the Luminar web page I noted that they have said:
” Luminar 2018 brings new RAW engine that will open and process your files up to 200% faster!”
Does this mean (if needs be) I can process my raw files in Luminar rather than in Adobe P/S Raw ? plus will it reduce the need for me to use Photoshop Elements as much?
In other words……..;Does using Luminar mean that I will have less need to use PSE and ADR when processing my photos?
Hi Alex, Luminar does have a filter that is similar to the basic panel in Adobe Camera Raw, but it’s not ACR. I view Luminar as software to use to apply filter effects to photos after you’ve done the RAW processing. It’s a 3 step process: 1. ACR or Lightroom for raw processing; 2. Photoshop Elements (or Photoshop if you have it) for more complicated processing if required; 3. Other software such a Luminar to apply filter effects if desired. So it depends on what your photo needs and what you want to do with it. I sometimes stop at lightroom, I sometimes do all 3 steps. Sometimes I skip step 2 and go from Lightroom to Luminar. It all depends. I still use PSE for many things.There is a 30-day refund on Luminar, so you could get the pre-order price, try it when it comes out, and then return it if it turns out that its not your thing. I hope that helps! Thanks for your question.
Hi Anne,
I’m confused! I thought that Luminar 2018 was supposed to be a full Lightroom replacement from the hype I’ve read on their website. I’m looking for Lightroom replacement now that Adobe no longer supports the standalone Lightroom. I tried capture one 10.2 but ran to enough problems that I decided not to buy it. So, I was hoping that Luminar 2018 would be the “Giant Killer” that will dethrone Lightroom. For what you’ve written here it sounds like it is not at all the great “Giant Killer”.
Do I understand correctly?
Hi Tim, yes, that’s right, they are still developing that part of the program. The digital asset management portion is not in this release. It’s supposed to be in the next release which will be free for owners of Luminar 2018. I’m sticking with the stand alone Lightroom for now. This version of Luminar has a lot of great features though, so I would definitely consider it a replacement for Nik.
Hi Anne
Thanks for your reply and as always it makes sense!
Since writing my query I have had time to look around at a number of video tutorials and I like what I see so I have ordered it so looking forward to 16/11.
So once again thanks for the reply and keep the hints and tutorials coming.
Alex
Thanks Anne ! I love the way you take your time and let us see where your pointer is clicking. This was a wonderful and educational video. You are one of my favorite presenters. Keep up the good work.
Bill Pehrson
Thank you so much Bill! That means a lot to me. I did a lot of software training before I became a photographer and I know how hard it is to see the mouse in a video sometimes 🙂
Anne,
Nice comprehensive article and I agree that Luminar is the best thing going at the moment. Lightroom compatibility is also a must for me… until Macphun/Skylum comes out with their own cataloging software sometime next year. Then it’s definitely time to re-evaluate my entire workflow because Lightroom (Classis) is still slow, even when importing with the workaround of using the embedded JPG’s. Unless Adobe gets going with a significant LR update, myself and many other photographers I know are ready to abandon ship. We just need a new sturdy vessel to jump to.
I’m wondering if modern software is getting “too good?” Luminar seems to do everything with grace & ease. So much so that everybody using it will be making spectacular images, even from their smartphones. That’s not a bad thing because we all have this creative being inside us that is wanting to express itself. With Luminar 2018, that’s now a possibility for everybody with every level of experience. I love that and is what I’ve been advocating with HDR photography; make it easy for everybody so we can focus on things other than arduous post-processing.
But, take the sunray filter. When I first saw that and how ALL the Luminar tutorials all over YouTube touted it as the best thing since sliced bread, I cringed. Immediately I knew I could never trust a photo with sunrays again. Even though they can be made by a skilled photographer in Photoshop, now it’s just too easy and I guarantee we’ll be seeing hoarded of inappropriate use of this filter going forward. I compare the sunray filter to HDR photography in inexperienced hands; often poorly used with terrible results.
Thank you for your passion for photography and helping upcoming photographers get better results. Following your travels is interesting and inspires me to try new places on my photography road trips around the Southwest, so I look forward to your monthly newsletter.
Cheers!
Hi Keith, Photography always goes through phases like that. I remember when digital first came out I stopped doing photography for a long time because I thought that the technology meant that everyone was capable of creating a perfect photograph. It turned out that wasn’t the case! And then with HDR, the technology was great, but like you said in the wrong hands it can make you cringe. I think the sun rays thing is the same. The technology is pretty amazing. Like you though, I might not trust sun rays anymore and we certainly are being inundated with sun ray photos already. But think of the potential here. I think when it’s in the hands of a digital artist, they’ll be doing a lot more creative things than just sticking the sun and some rays in the sky. I’m curious to see where it goes. I suspect it may be a fad, but then we’ll find other ways to use the filter that are more creative. I love technology! Even when it seems to go against the grain, or not be that useful, someone out there will find a way to use it in unexpected ways.
Anne, I bought Lightroom in 2015 and never used it, bought your ‘Launch into Lightroom” last year and this year decided it was time to learn Lightroom but could not understand how to use until I remembered your course that I had not looked at. I am now able to get around In Lightroom because your instructions were very easy to follow. I thank you for the way you put the lessons together since, at the age of 78 years, learning is a lot harder than when I was younger but you made it easy. Thank You (by the way, I pre ordered Luminar last week and am anxiously awaiting Nov 16.
Hi Sherrie, thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! I’m so glad to hear that the course helped you overcome Lightroom’s hurdles. Having taught software for many years before becoming a photographer, I certainly know what happens when people get overwhelmed with too much all at once. It happens to me too. That was the whole purpose of the course, to give you enough that you are comfortable using the software, but not so much that is it overwhelming. Sometimes software can be like when you’re used to driving a two lane street in the country and then you go into a big city with traffic in layers going all which ways and you just want to scream and cover your eyes. You’re not alone there!
Thanks Anne. A great overview of Luminar. I like to turn my photos into art and have lots of software packages but most were too complicated so I have dipped in and out hoping for a light to go on. I think Luminar 2018 may be the way to go. Is it true that Luminar will also have a data management system similar to LR? If so, that would be awesome.
Hi Cynthia, yes, that’s what they are saying. Apparently digital asset management is coming in the next release of Luminar. It’ll be interesting to see how that works out. I’m not going to make the switch right away though. I’ll wait and see how it plays out. I’m still happy with Lightroom for organizing and doing raw processing.
Anne,
Thanks for your great review of Luminar 2018! I am a fan of the Nik Collection and have for the time being stopped updating Photoshop CC so as to hang on to Nik as long as possible. But it does seem its days are numbered. If I eventually lose the Nik Collection I will definitely be missing its Analog Efex which I find fantastic with so many looks and ways to tweak them.
Enter Luminar!
I had a trial version, but wasn’t convinced. I guess I hadn’t delved deeply enough but your video has shown me its possibilities. I think I’ll go for it! (I wonder if I’ll be able to create the analog look I had in Analog Efex.)
Thanks again and cheers,
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne, I haven’t used Analog Efex so I’m not sure about that. But the trial version of Luminar is the older version. The 2018 version has a lot more in it. It seems much more robust than the previous version with many more filters. It does have cross processing, texture overlay, and sun rays (which you could use for light leaks). If you do get Luminar, let me know how you like it and if it works to get you the effects you are after.
Hello Anne,
Thank you very much for your tutorial, I find it really clear and easy to follow.
Allow me to ask you a question, since you know Topaz and McPhun very well 🙂
I have been looking for a replacement to Topaz Impression for a long time, because my new computer does not have the Graphics card requirements to use Impression (when I bought the plug-in I had another PC that worked fine. Then I bought an “old-revamped-for-photo-editing-speed” PC that works wonders with PS, Lightroom andTopaz Denoise, but does not allow me to use my Impression plug-in).
I am not willing to change the Graphics card as it is way too expensive for me, so here I am, desperately trying to find an Impression equivalent and not finding it. Photoshop so-called “creative painting” effects do not come close to what Impression allowed me to do.
I checked McPhun’s site, but although they say their software covers ALL Topaz plug-ins, I don’t see any creative effect that resemble Impression (with all its possibilities). Am I missing something ? Do you know if there is something similar ?
Thank you for taking the time to read 🙂
Hi Axelle, I would have to agree with you there. I don’t think there is anything in Luminar that does the same thing, or even a similar thing, to what Topaz Impression can do. I totally understand where you are coming from. I don’t like to upgrade my hardware either so I always wait as long as I can until the programs I want to use don’t work with my system and then I’ll finally get a new computer. Sorry I don’t have any suggestions for you. Topaz Impression is pretty unique.
Thank you Anne 🙁
Hi Anne, Thanks for the comprehensive review. i am a little confused however as to where Luminar fits. iIhave LR classic CC and PS CC. Can Luminar be a plug in for LR classic CC as this is always my first step in post processing. If so how is this differentiated from the stand alone version or are they the same thing?
Thanks again
Hi Colin, Yes, Luminar works as a plugin to LR classic CC as well as other versions of Lightroom, Photoshop, Photoshop Elements and Aperture. When you use it as a plugin, it just means that you can get at it from within the other program. So if you are using Lightroom, you can click and image and choose to edit it in Luminar, and when you’re done the new image pops into Lightroom automatically. From Photoshop, you would add a new layer and then go to the plugin, do your stuff in Luminar, and then when you’re finished you end up back in Photoshop again. When it is used as a stand alone application, you start in Luminar and open a file from your hard drive, and then save it from Luminar. Whether you use it as stand alone or as a plugin, once it’s open it’s exactly the same thing. I hope that makes sense! I use it as a plugin with both Lightroom and Photoshop Elements.
Thanks for the prompt and detailed reply. That has clarified everything for me and helped me decide to go ahead and purchase. I and many others really appreciate the time and effort you take to pass on your advice
Hi Anne. Are you familiar with, or have you explored On1’s products, such as Photo RAW 2018? Wondering what kind of comparison you’d make between that and Luminar?
Hi Britton, I haven’t used ON1 Photo Raw (yet). I believe that product would compare to Lightroom. I have used ON1 Effects 10 which I quite like. I think it would compare to Luminar. They are both good programs with a variety of presets and filters. You can always download a trial version of both programs and see which one you prefer.
Thanks Anne. Will be a fun comparison.
Thanks Anne for the explanation and demo of Luminar 2018. I currently use Elements and Topaz also since I try to keep my images as natural as possible but think Luminar 2018 would be a great addition to my workflow. Thanks again, Paul
You are most welcome Paul! Glad you enjoyed the demo.
If you’d dump cheesy PS Elements for Photoshop CC Topaz Studio plays great. Elements ? Come on
Hi Doug, the issue isn’t with PS Elements, the issue is with Topaz Studio and Lightroom. If I go from Lightroom directly to Topaz Studio, when the images come back to Lightroom the thumbnails are not visible. Deal breaker.
By the way, PS Elements is not cheesy at all! It does layers, layer masks, blend modes, selections, it’s awesome at healing … it does every single thing I need to do in PS. And it’s way cheaper than Photoshop CC. Nothing cheesy about that. For people who don’t want to do the subscription plan, it’s perfect. I actually have a video course coming out in a couple of days to show people how to all these things in PSE.
Hi Anne …. I always read your articles with great interest … as well as your travel blogs. This review of Luminar 2018 has been of great interest …. much more detailed and clearer than other reviews out there. I’ve been using Zoner (ZPS-X) for a few months now, and enjoy it. But Luminar looks even superior. I’ll wait and see what reviews/feedback come through during 2018, as I’m not fully satisfied with Zoner.
Many thanks with regards
Andrew
Glad to hear you enjoyed it Andrew 🙂 Thanks for letting me know.
Hi Anne,
I tried using the image overlay in Luminar 2018 for Windows.
After I opened my base image, I added my overlay image via Add Image Layer.
I am not able to see the base image at all even after I have done the gradient mask or mask brush at the overlay image layer.
The overlay image is always visible only.
Hi Gabriel, make sure that you have the layer mask selected, and then brush on (or use the gradient tool) where you want the adjustment to be displayed. As you are painting on the mask, make sure that the thumbnail of the mask shows black and white areas. It sounds like your layer mask is still entirely white. It should be black in the areas where you want to see through to the layer below. I hope that helps!
Hello Anne,
I am shopping around for some more flexibility in my post processing repertoire. I watched your Aurora and Luminar videos and was impressed. However, it was not clear whether you were using a Mac or PC version.
On line there have been more than a few comments about how the PC version might not be ready for ‘prime time.’ Could you offer any opinions as to its suitability for the PC now? Is this another case of waiting out a new software application until it is proven to be glitch free?
Also, if one has Luminar and Aurora HDR, what precisely would be the need for Lightroom? I will not be subscribing to Lightroom but wanted to know what other capabilities these two programs lack. I am using Elements 13.
Thank you. I enjoy your teaching style.
Hi Richard, I am using the Mac version. I didn’t realize when I made the Luminar video that the Mac version and the Windows version were not the same. I discovered this chart that compares the versions and shows you the features that are currently available in the windows version: https://macphun.com/luminar/pc-mac
I know the intention is to make the two versions identical in a future release, but I’m not sure exactly when that release will be. I would look at the chart and see if there are any features there that you really need that are not currently in the windows version. If you can live with it as is, I think it would definitely be worth getting. You can also get the trial version and try it out first.
Neither Luminar nor Aurora have digital asset management (at this time – they say it is coming in Luminar, but that could be a long way off who knows), so you still need something that will organize your images. In my opinion, nothing does a better job of that than Lightroom. I use Lightroom to do all my importing, organizing and exporting, as well as the basic processing. Then, if I want to take an image further, I will open it in photoshop, luminar, aurora, or topaz depending on what I want to do. If you are using Elements 13, you might be using the Elements organizer. You could continue to do that and then use Luminar and Aurora in conjunction with Elements. I hope that helps!
Thank you so much, Anne , for the info. I use Picasa and Elements 13 for my organization and image management and have been very satisfied. I think Aurora and Luminar would be welcome additions to my editing programs. I do think I will wait a bit longer until the pending additions to Luminar are ready to go.
I look forward to your further adventures in photoland and your tutorials.
Thanks for the Luminar tutorial Anne, very clear and informative. Also great to see your favorite pictures of 2017. You have some beautiful images!
Thank you very much Chris!
Hi Anne,
Thanks for reviewing it. I am Dubai based photographer and I like your stuff. I think I am gonna buy it if my pocket allowed me.
You are welcome Shedi, I’m glad you found the review helpful!