Review update: Luminar 2018

Added image editing features and Windows support

Luminar has been updated to ‘Luminar 2018’

It adds a number of new features, along with general performance increases.

Keith has looked at previous versions and gives the new version a look-over.

We've reviews of many MacPhun/Skylum apps. See the Macphun or Skylum Category in the dropdown menu at the top of the right column.

Buying – Check Macphun for Luminar special offers

Looking at Luminar

The basic functionality of Luminar is unchanged from my earlier reviews, so I decided to look at a few of the newer features that make the package a much more rounded and generally useful one.

Most of this review is based on using the stand-alone Luminar application – my own day to day use of it is as a plugin in Photoshop, where it’s very capable. I’ve also not included the fact that it also makes use of all the Macphun PS plugins that I’ve got (see my reviews).

There are plenty of resources available to get you up and going – this is the startup screen.

RAW processing

Luminar previously opened camera RAW files but in effect, you had absolutely no control over how it processed your image.

The new version includes a RAW processing filter.

This would be the first filter to apply.

In general it’s best thought of as getting your camera image to a point where you can then apply filters and edits to get the look you are after.

In the before/after examples below, there’s actually rather more than a simple brightening of the (original underexposed) image.

It’s part of the Canal that runs through Leicester, and is when I was testing the Samyang 14mm/f2.4 for a review

An ‘auto’ button would be a nice addition, to help those not used to RAW conversion get started?

There are a good range of additional adjustments, although the ease of adjustments could do with some improvements in some areas.

There is no automation of the CA fix and the correction won’t work with an offset (or shifted) lens. There are no distortion profiles for lenses, but as an introduction to RAW processing, the filter is perfectly adequate.

The image transformations could also do with some help (a horizon tool for example). There are crop and transform tools in the toolbar above the image, which might be a better way of adjusting your image (RAW processing just does the RAW processing) but these once again feel quite basic (if you are used to other editing packages). For example, I can’t pre-set a crop to a given pixel size (just aspect ratio), or resize an image.

The RAW processing is competent if not elaborate.

Initially I also thought – where is the clipping indicator, for if I push RAW exposure too high or low?

Well – looking again at the histogram display, I spotted two faint triangles above each end. Clicking on these activates high and low clipping indicators. Here’s what shows if I push the exposure up too far [click to enlarge]

I guess the reminder is that when you are trying out a new way of editing, don’t make too many assumptions about what is and isn’t there…

There is a list of currently supported cameras for RAW file support at Macphun.

Filters and Presets

Once you’ve tweaked your RAW settings, you may want to apply filters and presets.

Be aware that adding a preset is adding a collection of filters and will replace your carefully set RAW adjustments…

Fortunately, Luminar has an working (linear) history option.

If you are working with raw files, I’d suggest adding a new adjustment layer after setting RAW options.

‘Advanced Contrast’ and ‘Hue/Saturation’ added to the  RAW adjustment layer [click to enlarge]

If you’r curious about what filters do, add a preset – this will add a number of filters that you can tweak/adjust/remove

Just remember that any preset collection of filters can be ‘turned down’, and you have all the features of layer blending. masking and opacity available.

If that sounds, complex, then yes, it can be.

The whole point is that you don’t have to use all these filters and layers – to my mind though, many of the presets seem aimed at the more excessive end of the creative spectrum.

This preset is optimistically entitled ‘Image enhancer’ [click to enlarge]

Actually if you turn it right down it’s quite useful for some images… ;-)

It’s worth checking images at full enlargement, since some effect may interact with image detail in unwanted ways.

Look at these tree branches.

Using the polarising filter looked good until I spotted that ghosting in areas where it was not seeing sky to darken.

I’d note that issues like this can arise with plugins from many different sources – you just need to be careful.

LUTs

Lookup Tables are featured in the ‘what’s new’ list, but  with no way to create or edit them, you are limited to loading them from a list without previews.

This one is entitled ‘Street Adobe’ [click to enlarge]

‘Filmic landscape’

‘cool winter 4’

Well, there you go, they do things to images…

Mixing things up

There really are a lot of ways of working with Luminar. There are lots of helpful tutorials, including written material for those of us who don’t like learning from video [note that this is a relatively new product and Macphun are committed to updating and expanding its functionality and resources].

Creating a new layer that’s a black and white conversion of the image and then blending it back (in luminosity mode) with the colour image can give some useful option for colour photos on dull days.

Here’s the B&W conversion [click to enlarge]

Now, I’m ‘painting in’ some of the B&W layer in luminosity mode, on to the colour image.

I can make the mask temporarily visible (now covering the whole sky)

You can see how the sky has been darkened.

After a few more tweaks, I’ve an image that’s perhaps too intense for my tastes, but isn’t too bad…

[click to enlarge]

Saving your files

If I’m using the file for further work I can save the image in a number of formats.

There are a number of export options -Photoshop .psd  is one I’ll use if I’m going to print the image.

I note that I do have the option of using a large colour space, but the .psd files are only 8 bit (and no layers)

This is potentially limiting for subsequent editing, so I’d likely use the TIFF option which does allow for 16 bit.

I can save in Luminar’s native format.

Saving only the edit settings makes for a small file.

Saving the edit history is a bit bigger.

Saving the original file (my camera’s RAW file) adds a lot.

Or I can save the whole lot

Printing is rather limited at the moment, if you’re used to Photoshop (or even Lightroom, which I’ve never much liked).

This is the basic print dialog (Mac) – OK it’s sized the image to print on A2, but there is no real control.

Some thoughts

Luminar continues to grow in capability (with more to come, such as asset (file) management next year).

It still has a few rough edges, but then I remember that I use also Photoshop which has been around for 25 years… Remember too that I was looking at the software just prior to release, so not all support resources were available.

Printing is functional, for example, but gives no options for page layout or colour management.

Of course, in using Luminar from inside of Photoshop, I get to avoid all these issues, whereupon it becomes a very useful set of image filters and adjustments. 

That said, the software is now getting to the point where I’m looking at suggesting it stand-alone for our clients who might want to make edits to images we supply, and work on images of their own.

If the features I’ve shown are of interest, have a look at some of my earlier reviews, which cover many features in more detail than here:  Luminar review

There is a useful Luminar FAQ page provided by Macphun

Launch offers… (Nov 2017)

Pre-Order Availability: Buying – Check Macphun for Luminar special offers

Luminar 2018 will be availabe for pre-order on November 1, and released on November 16.

Pre-Order Pricing:

• Current users of Luminar may upgrade at a special pre-order price of $39 ($49 MSRP)
• New users can purchase Luminar 2018 at a special pre-order price of $59 ($69 MSRP)
• A collection of bonuses will also be included with every purchase.

Pre-Order Bonuses:

• A Pack of signature presets and textures fro pro photography Nicolesy
• An Exclusive pack of LUTs
• 1-year Power plan from SmugMug ($72 value). For new accounts only

System requirements

Luminar 2018 Mac Technical Requirements

• Apple Mac devices: MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro, Mac mini
• Processor: Intel 64-bit Core 2 Duo or better from late 2009 or newer
• Memory: 4 Gb RAM or more
• OS X: High Sierra 10.13, Sierra 10.12.6, El Capitan 10.11.5, Yosemite 10.10.5
• Hard disk: 2 Gb free space, SSD for best performance
• Display: 1280×768 size or better

Luminar 2018 Windows Technical Requirements

• Windows-based hardware
• PC with mouse or similar input device
• Direct X 10 compatible Graphics Cards or better
• Processor:Intel Core i3 or better
• Memory: 4 Gb RAM or more
• OS X: Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (64-bit only)
• Hard disk: 2 Gb free space, SSD for best performance
• Display: 1280×768 size or better

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