It’s probably not a great surprise, as from the moment Luminar Neo was launched, the fact that the older Luminar AI stayed on sale seemed pretty odd.
Skylum Luminar and Luminar Flex
Luminar is a clever and innovative photo-editing program that is constantly evolving in new and sometimes unexpected directions. Luminar 4, the latest version, is a radical departure from its predecessor.
The in-built Libraries feature for organizing and browsing your photos is the same, but the editing tools have had a major revamp. The multiple customisable workspaces have been slimmed down into four and the filters have been slimmed down too and locked into these specific workspaces.
It feels constrained and strange compared to the 'old' Luminar, but it's also more locked down and logical. What's more, Luminar Flex, the plug-in version sold briefly alongside Luminar 3, has now been rolled back into the main program and installed alongside Luminar 4 at no extra cost.
Luminar continues to be a strange, bold, exciting and high-value Photoshop alternative that offers instant 'Looks' and some new, out of this world AI augmented imaging technology that is potentially controversial but is also rather extraordinary.
Skylum Luminar Neo review
Verdict: 3.3 stars Luminar Neo uses Skylum’s latest AI tech across its wide range of tools to automatically enhance your images or to make it easier for you to enhance them yourself. The results can be spectacular, variable or, occasionally, somewhat pointless, but there’s no denying its ability to transform regular photos into more dramatic, more spectacular and more ‘idealized’ versions of reality. But its constant updates and increasingly complex bundles, extensions and paid add-ons don’t inspire a lot of long-term confidence.
The best photo editing software for organizing, editing, RAW and effects
Choosing the best image editing software can be complicated. It all depends on what you look for most in your photo editing software. Here are 12 programs with their own distinct strengths.
Skylum Luminar AI review
Verdict: 3.5 stars Luminar AI has some spectacular AI effects, but it also has performance issues and a disappointing template AI workflow that’s less than inspiring.
Skylum Luminar 4.3 review
Verdict: 4.5 stars Luminar 4 is an unusual and constantly evolving program. Increasingly, it’s specialising in altered, enhanced and augmented reality effects – and these are exceptionally effective. Luminar also has a full selection of basic photo editing tools like curves, cropping, layers and retouching. It’s a very versatile and effective photo editor.
Photo editing software downloads: links to trial versions listed here
Almost all the software applications reviewed and described on Life after Photoshop are available as a free trial, and here are the links. I always recommend using the trial version before making your mind up.
Lightroom alternatives: which is best?
Lightroom is probably the automatic go-to program for enthusiasts and experts looking for an all-in-one photo organising and editing program, but it’s not necessarily the best and it’s not popular with everyone, so many will be looking for Lightroom alternatives.
How to carry out Single Image Edits in Luminar 4
You can open and edit single images in Luminar, and you don’t have to import the entire folder they are stored in first. It’s still important to understand what Luminar is doing, though.
How to use masks in Luminar
Often you want to apply an effect or adjustment to a whole picture, but not always. Sometimes you only want to apply it to part of the picture, and this is where the Luminar mask tools become really useful.
Luminar tips: where to find key tools, how to use them better
Luminar is one of the most exciting image editors on the market. It’s also one of the fastest changing and quirkiest, so it’s not always easy to keep up with what’s new, what’s changed and where to find the tools and settings you need and why this list of Luminar tips could prove useful, both […]