Marlz

I recently had a 2-hr tutoring session with the owner of our local Mac store. He is also a professional photographer. My goal was to get a few tips on using Lightroom. We did that, but then he suggested that I would enjoy using Luminar 2018 and showed me a few things that he does with that program. I downloaded it and am having fun using it for landscapes, but, for people/portraits, I have had no success and find that LR works much better. Comments?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Luminar is a good alternative to LR. It's competent, and you can actually buy it, rather than just rent it. LR is still available as a standalone, but it's more than twice the price. I haven't gotten it yet, but I intend to.

https://skylum.com/l/luminar-2018-bundle-trial-expiration-bonuses?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Luminar_Brand_Sitelink&gclid=Cj0KCQiArenfBRCoARIsAFc1FqfR7s2wCc1CVt7fnrdWDECXfyC0ypQAVHhxV-Lui9N08X-Bv7aiS14aAs65EALw_wcB
https://skylum.com/luminar/compare

Marlz

I purchased both of them, LR several years ago; Luminar a few days ago. I just can't get decent results with it with portraits/people. But I am sure it is just me not knowing how to work the program ...

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I have Skylum's portrait Pro and love it for portraits. I use Lightroom for everything else. I do have to say this about Skylum products. They (in addition to regular updates) do a complete redo of their program about once a year.. I have the 2017 version, the 2018 version and now the 2019 versions… The updates are free but I paid about $60 for each of the "upgrades" to the next year. Adobe "rents" you Lightroom Classic CC, Lightroom CC (I only use this on cellphone or tablet), Photoshop, Adobe Spark, and 20gb of Cloud Storage for $9.99 per month or an annual fee somewhat less.. Right now, Adobe is offering the entire Adobe offerings for $39.95 per Month. (normally 59.95).

wds0410 Loc: Nunya

Check out Jim Nix's YouTube channel for training and education videos. I don't recall any specifically on portraits but he covers Luminar's features pretty extensively.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Skylum does not make Portrait Pro. Skylum is a Bellevue, WA company. Portrait Pro comes from Anthropics Technology Ltd. in London, England.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"enjoy using Luminar 2018 and showed me a few things that he does with that program. I downloaded it and am having fun using it"

Skylum makes two other programs, "Photolemur" and "Aurora HDR". If you are having fun with Luminar, try Photolemur. It is about fully automatic use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. That makes it very entertaining. It even has an automatic eye enhancement button.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

You're correct.. I've been trying to get Aurora's new version (and the 2018 version) to work correctly since the last Windows 10 update... I don't think it was the update but have been trying to figure out what changed.. Aurora has also been working on it... (Skylum) to no good results.. don't think it is their fault we just haven't found the solution.. but it is ALSO a good program (when it works)

miked46 Loc: Winter Springs, Florida

I own both, and have used Lightroom for over 5 years, but I am now playing with Luminar and I like it, alot.

Largobob

I am an advanced hobbyist, and do not publish or sell my images. On my Mac, I primarily use Luminar 2018, Photoshop Elements 2018, and I just purchased DXO Photolab2 Elite and Nik Collection (half price sale). 'Back in the day', my favorite go-to processor was Nikon Capture NX2...which is no longer supported. I am finding that the new DXO product has similar features (and plenty more advanced features) to those of Capture NX2. I really like the "Local Adjustments" feature, where you can zero in on a small user-defined area and make local adjustments without using masks. DXO also has superb noise reduction. All three have downloads for camera and lens adjustments.

Each has similar features, and all are fairly straightforward-forward and intuitive to use. Once you learn the basics involved with photo editing, you will find that each has tools to get you to what you want. I do not use any of the "Catalog features" available in any of the products.

Using the free-trial may be useful in helping you with your decision. My suggestion is to go with any one of them....stick with it... and learn it well.

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

I use Lightroom 99% of the time but plan to use my Luminar program more once its catalog program is available.

pego101

The current luminar does not have the catalog function like lr. Also many folks have problems updating luminar still using 1.1.1 create program with an erase tool better than ps.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Faster, more fun, less expensive... Luminar works for me, especially with the Data Management module being released Dec 18, 2018. I used Adobe for years when shooting only raw with FF Nikon gear and spent far too much time fussing with photos. Using recent Fuji XT3 and X100F gear, the JPEGS are so good SOOC that my post is greatly reduced and Luminar simply works for me. Not being in front of my computer obsessing over minute adjustments and allowing some use of AI has made my hobby-life so much simpler and fun again...

Cheers!