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Home » Photo Editing » Video Walk Through and Review
Photo Editing with Skylum Luminar: Video Walk Through and Review

Photo Editing with Skylum Luminar: Video Walk Through and Review

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: September 19, 2022

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Recently I decided to try out Skylum Luminar, a new photo editing software that competes with, and may I say, possibly outperforms Adobe Lightroom.

skylum luminar photo editing software

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

Original RAW file before any editing.
Lightroom processed version.
Image processed and enhanced using Luminar.
Original RAW file, unedited.
Processed and converted to black and white using Lightroom.
Processed and enhanced using Luminar.
A faded vintage look created using Luminar.

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

Original RAW file, unedited.
Processed in Lightroom.
Image processed using Luminar.
Before – Lightroom only.
After – enhanced in Luminar.
Before – unedited RAW file.
Before – Lightroom processing only.
After – Luminar enhancements made after Lightroom.
RAW unedited image.
Before – processed in Lightroom.
After – Luminar enhancements added.
Raw file unedited.
Lightroom version.
Luminar version.
Lightroom only version. Meh! I thought this was great until . . .
Luminar – it’s luminous!
Lightroom processing couldn’t get close to what I was able to make in Snapseed on my phone! Here is the Instagram version processed using my phone and Snapseed.
Luminar wins! It’s different than the IG one but I like it nonetheless.
Before – processed in Lightroom. Daniel doing a selfie on a camel in Morocco. Join him in Morocco in May 2018!
Luminar version. You can count the eyelashes on the camel!
The BEFORE photo – Processed in Lightroom
… and the after shot. Processed with Macphun Luminar

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.
UPDATE: Luminar Neo is to be released in 2022. I’ve already given my initial thoughts on it and done a complete review and for more training, check out my Luminar Neo course.
NEW: I’ve reviewed what I consider to be the best raw image processors on the market. If you’re looking for the best photo editing software and an affordable way to replace Lightroom, you’ll want to check out the reviews. See how I rate them and how they compare against each other.

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,
Darlene-1-250x130.png

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About Darlene Hildebrandt

Darlene is an educator who teaches aspiring amateurs and hobbyists how to improve their skills through her articles here on Digital Photo Mentor, her beginner photography course, and private tutoring lessons. To help you at whatever level you're at she has two email mini-courses. Sign up for her free beginner OR portrait photography email mini-course. Or get both, no charge!

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ultimate photography bundle

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There's NEVER been a better time to get Luminar Neo. With this Ultimate Photography Bundle promotion, you recieve the Luminar Neo software, hundreds of LUT's, Skies, presets and overlays, a Landscape Photography editing course, a Drone photography course and my very own Portrait Fundamentals course, along with a number of other items.

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