Thoughts on Luminar 4

[Hubsta]

Hi guys,

So I'm thinking of purchasing my first post software. It seems most people use lightroom, and I have used it on my mobile in limited capabilities. (Free version)

Now I'm not real keen on paying a monthly subscription for software at this stage of my photography journey (Noob). This brings me to luminar 4. I'm happy with the price , as a one off purchase and have watched a fair few YouTube videos on it's capabilities. Im currently playing around with it on my lap top as a 7 day trial and it seems great for what i need.

Does anybody here use it? How do you find it? Any reason why I shouldn't buy it?

Cheers
Dave

[Brian500au]

I think you may know best as you are playing with a free trial on your laptop. I personally use LR but that is because I started with it from version 1 and grown used to it. I tried Luminar 3 but seen very little benefit over LR.

I am a bit of a fan of the subscription model for a few reasons. One is you have the choice to quit any time you want to, second is it is constantly updated with new functionality.

It would seem most software is heading that way.

[ricktas]

Have not used Luminar 4, however outside of photoshop or lightroom, paintshop pro (PSP) is probably the next most mature photo editing application available. It has been around for as long as photoshop, has similar editing menus and algorithms. I used PSP for quite a few years. https://www.paintshoppro.com/en/products/paintshop-pro/standard/?hptrack=mmpsp

Lots of video tutorials on youtube for PSP as well. Youtube is your friend when learning how to edit photos well.

And many popular plugins like Nik Software and Topaz, are available for PSP.

[bobt]

I agree with Rick - Paintshop Pro is a very effective tool which is still my main "go to" for all my pixel level processing. It's a mature program that's been around for many years and there's no subscription - and an affordable price, waaaaay cheaper than the big programs. I've never found anything lacking in PSP.

Another one I use is ACDSee which is also very good, as is a newer one "Affinity" which has many good reports. I've always hated Photoshop and Lightroom which I consider overkill for the average photographer, and I hate subscription based software.

[Hubsta]

Have not used Luminar 4, however outside of photoshop or lightroom, paintshop pro (PSP) is probably the next most mature photo editing application available. It has been around for as long as photoshop, has similar editing menus and algorithms. I used PSP for quite a few years. https://www.paintshoppro.com/en/products/paintshop-pro/standard/?hptrack=mmpsp

Lots of video tutorials on youtube for PSP as well. Youtube is your friend when learning how to edit photos well.

And many popular plugins like Nik Software and Topaz, are available for PSP.

Thanks for the reply Rick, I'll be sure to check it out.

- - - Updated - - -


I agree with Rick - Paintshop Pro is a very effective tool which is still my main "go to" for all my pixel level processing. It's a mature program that's been around for many years and there's no subscription - and an affordable price, waaaaay cheaper than the big programs. I've never found anything lacking in PSP.

Another one I use is ACDSee which is also very good, as is a newer one "Affinity" which has many good reports. I've always hated Photoshop and Lightroom which I consider overkill for the average photographer, and I hate subscription based software.

Cheers,

I'll be sure to check out these options aswell before I commit to luminar 4.