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 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 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 […]
Luminar 4 cheat sheet: How to find your way around the Luminar 4 Library window
The Luminar 4 Library window is where you do all of your image opening, importing and organizing. You select the Library view using the first of three buttons (6) at the top of the tools panel on the right. The second button (7) is for the Edit view. The third Info view (8) simply displays […]
Luminar 4.2 Augmented Skies: is this photography or illustration?
I’m in two minds about this feature. The AI Augmented Sky filter in Luminar 4.2 is spectacularly effective at blending in all sorts of other-worldly objects into regular outdoor skies, even supplying a range of ready-made objects like these twin planets via a drop-down menu. The AI technology merges these objects with your sky so […]