Before delving into Luminar 4 vs Luminar AI review to know which of the two is worth it in 2021, it is pertinent to know that photo editing is a crucial and popular aspect of the modern digital world. It is not only for professional photographers but also for other individuals.
Some of the most significant reasons for effective image editing for businesses include shadow creation, image masking and manipulation, restoration of old images, creation of ghost mannequin, color rectification, photo retouching, and removal of unattractive background.
Therefore, Aurora HDR 2018 makes it easy to use images from an HDR bracket series, even those shot without a tripod. If you open an image from an HDR bracket without Alignment, and it is slightly blurred, simply open it again with the Alignment option. So, no HDR, no Focus Stacking, no Panorama stitching in Luminar 4. Sky replacement as done by Luminar is a great achievement, but weighs very little in my workflow. So, for now, Luminar 4 is not for me. Aurora HDR is an HDR photo editor from the same company that brings you Luminar 4, Skylum. To reiterate, these bundles are exclusive to coolwildlife readers, so if after reviewing all four editors you land on Luminar 4 as your choice for a RAW editor you’ll want to take advantage of this offer.
But how can a business enjoy all the above and more for its growth and expansion without effective photo editing software in place?
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An Overview of Luminar
Luminar is one of the most reliable options that anyone looking for exemplary image editing applications can consider. It is one of the most reputable global photo editing software applications developed by Skylum, formerly referred to as Macphun, and available for Windows and macOS.
It is a Windows and Mac application that works independently and can also serve as a plugin for Adobe and other Apple products.
It integrates with Adobe Lightroom Classic, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Photos for macOS, Adobe Photoshop, and the gold award winner in 2020 at the Digital Camera Grand Prix for being highly creative and innovative in the photo editing industry. Luminar 4 won this award along with 2 other of its exceptional products: Photolemur and Aurora HDR 2019.
It has also been recognized as the Best Photo Software Product in the 2019/2020 EISA awards.
In addition to filters that are significant in editing images, this app also comes with great effects combined with layers and masks to enhance the raw files' quality of images.
The latest version of this software is Luminar 4, launched and released on Nov 18th, 2019. It comes packaged with multiple AI tools that offer automated sky replacement, among many other exciting features.
Luminar 4 Review
It is one of the most unique photo editing software versions in the market that is continually evolving to give the users the best editing results and experience. Luminar 4 is exceptionally effective in the modern digital world and provides enhancements in various forms, which includes augmented reality effects.
Depending on where you stand, you can find these features either cheating or amazing based on the side you take. Additionally, Luminar 4 also has a full range of basic photo selection tools, including cropping layers, retouching, and curves that make it one of the most influential and effective photo editing applications even without the AI fireworks that come with it.
What Is Luminar 4?
For starters, this is an all-in-one effects and photo editing program that comes with an inbuilt Library tool that one can use to browse, search, and organize photos. Since all these tools are non-destructive, users can always go back and undo any changes they apply to the images or try out an entirely different effect or look any time they feel.
It comes with Image Lightroom with amazing expanded editing and effects tools just with less sophisticated cataloging.
Unfortunately, Luminar 4 lacks both mobile app support and Adobe's cloud sync. Its specialty is AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools that can enhance the image to identify objects and subject types and mask and edit them selectively.
Even though the AI Sky Enhancer is a perfect example, the technology has grown over time since its release in the market. AI Sky Replacement in the latest versions accompanies the AI Portrait Enhancer panel and AI Augmented Sky tools.
Many other applications allow you to carry out routine photo editing adjustments, but one of the major reasons you should consider Luminar 4 is its real drive towards enhanced, augmented, and reimagined reality. If the latter is your dream as a photo editor, then this software version is for you. It also comes with some tools to enhance the images and make them ‘real'.
How Does Luminar 4 Work?
There are two options of using Luminar 4, which are either using it as a standalone program or as a plugin for Lightroom and Photoshop. If you choose the former, you get an integrated Library screen useful for browsing the photos and an Edit screen to adjust and enhance the images. If you use Luminar 4 as only a plugin, all you get are the editing tools, and once you finish editing the photos, they are returned to the host software.
While the former Skylum versions, such as Luminar 3, came with plugin versions as a separate product, Luminar 4 comes with the plugin included as part of the software.
While the main Library window seems basic to most users, it is also highly effective and allows one to import the folders they want to include, and they appear in the sidebar to the right. It also allows you to create Albums and use Shortcuts, including ‘Recently Edited' and ‘Favorites', and anything useful in finding pictures. You can also add Ratings, Color Labels, and Flags and filter your images to ensure the best outcome.
With Luminar 4.3 Skylum, a basic search tool allows users to find images using dates, names, folders, and file extensions, which means more convenience and a better photo editing experience.
The tools and filters in the Edit window are divided into four workspaces, namely Essentials, Pro, Portrait, and Creative. Unlike the earlier versions of Luminar, where these workspaces were endlessly customizable, this version here makes the filters more consolidated, and they are now in specific workspaces.
In addition to the effects, Luminar 4 has a whole catalog accessible via a button found on the top toolbar. They apply combinations of filters and settings with a single click with which users can create and save their own and download from the Luminar website.
Who Is It For?
If you are wondering whether Luminar 4 is right for you or not, then you are not alone. This Luminar Skylum version is most useful and suitable for traditional photo editors looking for a competent set of tools at an affordable, fair price.
However, it is primarily aimed at experimenters and image-makers, and photographers excited by the medium and its full potential but relatively new to the industry. It seeks to offer spectacular imagery without a significant time or technical know-how needed in the past.
Luminar 4 Cost
It was released into the market on Nov 18th, 2019, at $89 for new users and $69 as an upgrade for existing Luminar users.
Is Luminar 4 A Subscription?
It is a one-off purchase, which contrasts with the monthly subscription payments such as the Adobe Creative Cloud and is out to replace both Luminar Flex and Luminar 3. The buying cost includes both performance updates and ongoing features, as well as support and bug fixes.
Luminar AI Review
Luminar AI is revolutionary and among the latest image editing software that uses artificial intelligence in complex editing tasks in a time-efficient manner.
It is a Windows and Mac application that functions independently and also as a Plugin for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Photos for Mac OS. People who are used to Adobe workflow can benefit, immensely, from it.
It is designed for all creative levels, from beginner photographers to seasoned pros, even though they, mostly, use it as plugins to other image editing software.
It is a combination of both simplicity of use and incredible performance that makes the editing experience amazing and exemplary.
Being an entirely new and non-conventional approach to the image editing world, Luminar AI is out to ensure a simplified approach to image manipulation while retaining full manual control for the power users. It, therefore, focuses more on the results than the process.
Additionally, it is also out to make the editing process both fun and easy while at the same time also allowing the users to hone their creative skills under the guidance of Templates and other handy features.
With this version, Skylum has attempted to eliminate all the tedious and complex photo editing procedures without compromising the user's creativity, which explains why it still allows you to control the outcome still.
Luminar AI Release Date
It was released into the market on Dec 15th, 2020, after several trials and tutorials to ascertain its performance and to train the potential users on its usage.
If you are planning on purchasing it, you may not find a Luminar AI trial, but you will find some Luminar AI tutorials and you can watch the templates, landscape tools in action, and how portraits are enhanced to the ‘WOW' level, to help you get started.
The Reason Behind Luminar AI Release
The question will always be asked, “Why Luminar AI when we still have Luminar 4?”.
Well, the reason for doing this is because the Skylum Team has put in more than a decade of effort into Luminar AI to eliminate all complexities associated with traditional photo editing, but still help you to churn out great images in the shortest possible time with artificial intelligence.
Luminar AI Price
As said above, Luminar AI can be used as both a plugin for Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. It can also be used as an extension for Apple Photos and is available to purchase from Skylum for a single lifetime purchase of $99 with a license for 2 computers.
Is Luminar AI Worth It?
With the amazing results that the version offers, Luminar AI is worth the money and if it is suitable for you, then go for it. This is one of the perfectly effective everyday image enhancement tools available in the market.
Pros of Luminar AI
Several benefits come with using Luminar AI, which includes:
* Greater value for money.
* The simplicity of use eliminates the need for extensive training.
* It has made complex edits simpler.
* It comes with amazing AI tools that produce amazing results.
* It is ideal for both beginners and advanced users (Template-based and manual masking).
* AI tools conform to each photo for the quickest edits.
* It is a great plugin for Mac/Adobe photos.
* It is faster (compared to Luminar 4) and fun to use.
Cons
Some of the features that comprise the editing experience with Luminar AI are as discussed below:
* You may need to get used to it to easily locate advanced features with this version.
* Offers limited DAM and export options.
* Cannot transfer Luminar 3 and 4 catalogs directly.
Unique Features of Luminar AI
Several aspects make Luminar AI a groundbreaking Skylum software, some of which are discussed below:
* Simplified workspaces mean a more efficient workflow.
* Templates that ensure a guided AI-powered editing experience.
* It is a powerful plugin for existing Photoshop, Lightroom, and macOS photo users.
* It comes with time-saving AI-powered editing tools.
* Manual masking tools take full control and selectively remove or add AI edits.
* It comes with AI tools that conform to individual pictures for simplified batch editing.
* It is generally fast (Luminar AI vs. Luminar comparison.)
Luminar AI Vs. Luminar 4 (What Are the Differences?)
While they may seem similar in multiple aspects, there are several differences that any photo editor can see when studying Luminar 4 or Luminar AI.
While Luminar 4 impressed everyone with the little handful of AI tools, for instance, Luminar AI is a unique and different application entirely powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Hence, it is not, necessarily, an upgrade from Luminar 4.
This means that photographers of all levels can easily take advantage of all the AI tools available in Luminar AI for landscape photography and general imaging and portrait retouching, among many other tasks, including general image enhancement.
Differences between Luminar4 and Luminar AI in a Nutshell (What Is New?)
* Sky Enhancer and Accent – This is about 30% faster in Luminar AI compared to Luminar 4.
* Luminar AI recognizes over 7,000 more objects for suggestions and better editing.
* Newer color tools like LUTs-powered ‘New Mood' and ‘Color Harmony'.
* Better ‘Clone & Stamp' and ‘Eraser' tool with no-layer and non-destructive effects.
* Brush in color with a new non-destructive tool for more intelligent and sharper skin and portrait adjustments.
* Greater 3D depth through reconstruction, better object placements, and atmosphere adjustments.
Who Is Good for Luminar AI?
This Skylum Luminar version is ideal for a range of users such as:
* Someone in need of amazing quick photos without any extra complexity in a limited time
* If you are so keen on results rather than the process involved
* If you want to solve problems
* If you are new to photography
* If you want to shoot more and edit less
* If you are eliminating advanced or complex editing tools
* If you are a visual professional or communicator such as bloggers, business owners, teachers, learners, product makers, crafters, Instagrammers, hobbyists, and amateur photographers.
Does Luminar AI Replace Luminar 4?
Since each of these Skylum Luminar versions is different and unique, it is hard to say if Luminar AI is a replacement for Luminar 4 or not, especially because the former is still new in the market. Nevertheless, Luminar AI is not an upgrade to Luminar4. Both programs can be used together on the same computer without any overwriting or conflict between them.
Other Things You Should Know
* You can use both Luminar 4 and Luminar AI together on the same computer, but independently of each other. Don't worry, neither will overwrite the other.
* No third-party plugin support.
* You can use Aurora HDR to merge bracketed photos.
* Images exported from Aurora HDR are, automatically, scanned and uploaded to Luminar AI from the catalog.
* Custom and purchased Luminar 4 looks will, automatically, be migrated to Luminar AI (with the exception of older tools from Luminar 3 and previous versions).
* As a plugin, Luminar AI easily fits into the workflow of your host.
* Luminar AI can work with RAW files and supports many new cameras.
* You can use your own sky photos with Luminar AI, but make sure they are in PNG, JPEG or TIFF formats.
* Your Luminar 4 Sky photos will also be compatible with Luminar AI.
Is Luminar AI better Than Luminar 4?
It is undeniable, based on the previous Luminar versions, that each of the latest versions gets increasingly better than the previous ones, making Luminar AI better than Luminar 4. With such a trend in place over the years, we should look out for more powerful, user-friendly, and intuitive software when talking about Luminar AI.
Additionally, it is also very affordable and right at the photo editing tech world's cutting edge. Before purchasing any of these versions, you should take the time to determine the suitability of each one of them for your editing needs.
You might have wondered how the professional photographer delivers awesome quality photographs time and over again.
However, you may wonder why you often fail to churn out great pictures each time even though you have the latest single-lens reflex digital camera and use the best flashlight along with a bounce adapter with accessories like lenses (macro, zoom, telephoto, wide-angle), filters, and studio umbrellas.
Be prepared for a surprise when you visit the home of a photographer friend and find him seated beside his computer, retouching photographs he had taken the previous day.
You might not believe that most professionals have full knowledge of lighting and photo shooting angles, but most of them are rarely able to click stunning photographs at the first instance.
They use special software to edit the digital photographs to remove unnecessary background as well as make color correction with the help of color, hue, and saturation controls available in those programs.
Once done, they save the RAW images in .jpeg format and send it to a processing studio to print the digital photographs on high quality glossy or matte paper.
You too can achieve the same quality photographs as those shot by professionals with the help of two of the leading photo editing programs, Luminar and Aurora.
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Is Luminar Better than Aurora?
Go through this Luminar versus Aurora comparison to find out which is best and if Luminar is better than Aurora or vice versa. I shall be reviewing both of them separately, and then highlight the differences between the two so that you can decide which one best suits your requirements. By the way, Skylum produces both these programs.
What is the Difference Between Luminar and Aurora?
Aurora Hdr Vs Luminar 4
The major difference between these two offerings from Skylum is that Aurora HDR is exceptional when merging multiple images and is designed for more enhanced details and toning whereas Luminar allows for starting editing and enhancements with single exposures and more stylistic editing. Both programs can be combined.
If you have bracketed photos to merge, Aurora HDR will still be useful to you when using the released Luminar AI.
Luminar 4
Luminar 4, being marketed as an alternative to Adobe's offering has caused a stir in the market. Thanks to the Adobe Lr-esque catalog of this program along with its powerful editing tools. It has been able to convert thousands of users of Adobe Lr to this more affordable program.
Unlike Adobe, Luminar 4 does not charge a yearly subscription, and this itself is a game-changer.
In this review, I shall check what the software is capable of and whether it can live up to its expectations. This is the latest version of the program. The vendor offers a free update to those who already own Luminar 2018.
Fast Processing Speed
The developers have burned the midnight oil to make this version a league ahead of its predecessor. Forget the slow editing speed of the previous version, as this version almost instantaneously applies changes to the photograph made by the slider. This is what I was looking for.
This software is a hybrid between Photoshop and Adobe Lr and permits you to apply layers on the photographs when you are editing them.
One important point: Make it a habit to switch layers before changing the workspace or you will lose the edits. The ideal method is to set up the workspace for a single layer, make the requisite edits, after which you can create a new layer.
Workspace Galore
The software offers you the choice to choose from many pre-determined workspaces. As different filters are used to make each workspace, you can easily do everything you desire and much more.
I loved this feature because it allowed me to design my personal workspace as well as get rid of filters I would never need.
I was also able to create a methodical process by creating workspaces for individual stages of my photo-editing workflow. In fact, I created a workspace that permitted me to make my primary color changes and RAW adjustments, before creating a new layer and switching over to a de-noising workspace. I could then shift to a different layer and workspace, dedicated to sharpening my file.
Easily Recover Edits
The “undo” feature of this software is a blessing in disguise as it allowed me to undo any changes I made, which also includes workspace switches. This implies that you can recover your edits if you swap over and lose them.
Flexible and Adjustable
The structure of Luminar 4 allows you to customize the program according to your personal preferences and for smooth editing process. You can also configure the software to ensure that it fits into your workflow, and eliminate anything unnecessary that gets in the way.
The fact that this program permits you to work in layers is beneficial as well. Unlike Adobe Lr that allows you to apply masks and a limited number of alterations to areas selected within the mask, Luminar 4 allows you to apply a mask to any layer or filter. This implies that you can make numerous adjustments to just a single area of the image.
One in All
Unlike other programs, Luminar 4 consists of an entire editing bundle and allows you to do everything you require from within the program itself.
After you have completed the editing task, you have the choice of leaving the edits within the library or export them as a file for use with any other program. I was slightly disappointed with the size of the export window, but I am not complaining as I know this software only has the absolute necessities.
Good Price for Great Value
Do not crib as this program offers a standalone software at a pocket-friendly price. The latest version of the software also includes a digital asset manager, in the form of an image gallery, which allows users to organize photos in a better way than Adobe Lr.
Much More
The slider feature of Luminar 4 allows you to move a single slider to make slight changes to the picture or add multiple layers and masks, as well as experiment with third-party plugins.
Unique Filters
There are some filters which are unique to Luminar such as top and bottom lighting, sunrays and AI sky enhancer. All of them combined allow for endless opportunities for artistic and creative editing.
As mentioned above, the latest version of Luminar has a huge range of new and exciting updates such as:
• Organizing photos automatically with smart shortcuts
• A brand new Accent AI filter
• Folders that remain in synchronization with images on the hard disk drive
• Ability to synchronize adjustments between multiple photographs
• Multiple viewing options (filmstrip, gallery, and single image view), and
• A library for viewing, organizing, and editing multiple photographs
Luminar 4 has the ability to do everything that the offering from Adobe does and also has certain improvements over it.
I was surprised to note that the program's library scanned the hard disk drive of my computer and updated itself to match what my HDD looks like.
I was a bit dismayed by the slow import feature, but this should not be a constraint for first-time photo editing software, considering the low price of Luminar 4. The new version of Accent AI speeds up your workflow immensely.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
The single slider adjustment employs artificial intelligence to access an image and enhance it. This is a powerful feature if you want to develop your photographs quickly. This module handles everything from contrast, color, exposure, details, depth, and tone with remarkable accuracy.
The software is available both for the Windows and Mac operating systems.
Price
Hdr Luminar 4 Review
The manufacturer offers a free version. However, it lacks all functionalities. Therefore, you should purchase one of the following versions of Luminar 4:
• The Inspiration version costs $89
• The Plus Edition costs $99 and includes “Inspiration Looks” and “California Sunsets” (you save $64)
• Max Edition costs $169. It includes “Inspiration Looks” plus “Aurora HDR” (you save $93).
By the way, the company is offering a special discount on their home page.
Aurora HDR
This is, without any doubt, one of the easiest photo editing programs I have come across as you will find out in this Luminar vs Aurora 2021 review.
Luminar 2021 vs Aurora HDR 2021 Comparison
This comparison explains why I prefer the latter and the differences between the Luminar and Aurora Bundle.
Easy to Use
I prefer to use photo editing software that gives me the desired results without having to go through a steep learning curve.
Despite being sophisticated, Aurora is user-friendly and easy to use. The 2021 version of this photo editing tool creates a finalized tone-mapped file in a couple of steps, pushing it one step ahead of its competitors.
The 2021 version boasts of a Quantum HDR Engine that has an updated tone mapping algorithm over its predecessor.
I was pleasantly surprised by the immediate and natural improvement in the dynamic range of the bracketed shots I opened in this program without making any adjustments. This means that I can have a quality base image to use as a reference point for advanced tone control.
Following this basic tone improvement, the software provided me with a wide range of editing possibilities, with the help of the intuitive slider-based interface of the program.
HDR Panel that is Easy to Understand
Those who have used Adobe Lr will feel at home with the HDR Basic Panel, as this tool employs a very similar control layout. The friendly control layout also makes the learning process simple for beginners.
Easily Edit Photographs Even At Night
This is the tip of the iceberg as Aurora HDR also has an impressive range of style customization tools, which provides precise control over both detail and color.
Those who like editing photographs at night will love the “dark color scheme” of the software that makes slider and menu nomenclature easy to read and also helps in accurate assessment of brightness and color.
This puts Aurora HDR ahead in this Luminar 4 vs Aurora HDR 2021 review and will help first-time purchasers decide whether they should opt for Luminar or Aurora.
Features that Help You Compare Luminar and Aurora
The vendor has added a number of useful updates in the 2021 version despite the fact that the overall functionality of both are the same.
Be prepared to be surprised by the HDR Enhance Panel that offers a quick way of adding enhancements to micro contrast and structure. You can easily extract fine image details without introducing over-processed and unnatural effects with minor tweaks to the positions of the slider in this section.
This area too takes advantage of the new Quantum Engine. This updated algorithm permits you to push sliders further for attaining stronger effects without image degradation artifacts like edge halos from creating an impact on the integrity of an image.
This version also includes an inbuilt noise reduction capability, allowing you to address luminance or color patterning without the need to import the image to different software.
I am sure that by now, you have understood more about Luminar compared to Aurora, and the power of the latter.
The “denoise” function of Aurora is a useful feature that makes this software a one-stop HDR option, even though this function is not as effective or powerful as a dedicated noise reduction plugin. This feature permits you to minimize noise real-time while you change the tone mapping.
Easily Go Back to Any Point of the Editing Process
I loved the history function that keeps a track of all of the changes I make to an image. This allows me to revert to any point during the editing process. Thanks to this, I hardly wasted any time revisiting any image stage without interrupting the creative process.
Luminar and Aurora HDR Further Compared
Luminar 4 Hdr Erstellen
Aurora HDR allowed me to keep colors within natural limits following tone mapping without having to undertake extensive editing in Adobe.
Luminar 4 Hdr
Another advantage of Aurora is its capability to apply alterations to Adjustment Layers from within the software itself. I was amazed by the degree of details I could extract from just one RAW file.
I could get images that effectively duplicate the human vision's dynamic range through orthodox tone mapping of bracketed exposures. The new version boasts of a “color lookup table,” which, in combination with the amazing gradient tool and tone curve, provides dynamic color control, which was, in the past, only possible with dedicated RAW editors.
Price
This advanced photo editor costs only $99 and works on both Mac and Windows operating systems. You can purchase both Aurora HDR 2021 and Luminar 4 for a discounted price of $169.
Hopefully, this review of Luminar vs Aurora HDR 2021 will allow you to decide on which to go for between Skylum Luminar and Aurora and purchase the software that is suitable for your needs. Or better still, getting both as a bundle.