Luminar VS Lightroom - Is Luminar Neo Worth it For Photo Editing?
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 2 июн 2024
- In this video, we'll dive into the heated debate: Should you use Luminar or Lightroom for your photo editing? Whether or not you already use Lightroom, my answer may surprise you.
This video is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission.
Here are the ways you can take better photos with my courses at Landscape Photography University:
⚡️FREE CLASS: Watch our FREE Compositions class here: bit.ly/3sglVGP
⚡️Ignite Your Compositions Course: bit.ly/3dOu7dE
📱 Subscribe and Listen to The Landscape Photography Show podcast here:
Apple: apple.co/2F3tmIS
Spotify: apple.co/2WIEKlb
⏰ Timecodes ⏰
0:00 - Luminar VS Lightroom Is Luminar New Worth It?
0:30 - Luminar Neo Tutorial For Photo Editing
6:04 - The One Feature That Sets Luminar Apart From Lightroom
7:33 - Comparing Luminar and Lightroom
My mission on this channel is to provide you with the best tips and tools to level up the success and love for your photography.
This video will compare Luminar Neo vs Lightroom to show you which editing software is the best one for your photo editing. I'll show you how you can edit a photo with Luminar in a quick tutorial. We will also compare Luminar and Lightroom for speed, cost, and other features to answer the question: Is Luminar Neo worth it for photo editing?
Connect with me on social media:
Instagram: / davidjohnstonphoto
For Support inquires, or Business inquiries, please go to www.davidjohnstonart.com/
QUESTION - Have a question about photography, composition, gear, editing, or Anything Else? Post in the comments section of this video!
Subscribe to David Johnston Photography here: / davidjohnstonphoto
Gear I Use For Landscape Photography:
Sony a7rii: amzn.to/3C8jaMb
Tamron 17-28 f/2.8: amzn.to/3CxumDD
Sony 70-200 f/4: amzn.to/3MabuO3
Sigma 35mm f/1.4: amzn.to/3RC4s5G
Rokinon 12mm f/2: amzn.to/3ygauT3
FotoPro Tripod (Use JOHNSTON15 for 15% Off): bit.ly/3e3RZu7
F-Stop Gear Tilopa Backpack: amzn.to/3edjUaO
Music provided by Epidemic Sounds. Start your free trial here ➡️ share.epidemicsound.com/st26l 
Развлечения
Start using Luminar now for just $9 per month: skylum.evyy.net/Ea4vzK
Sir, is it advantageous to pay monthly vs buying the software outright? Your opinion? Thank you for making a great video.
This year is my 50th anniversary as a working photographer. I just added a new Dell computer as an additional editing platform in addition to my two Macs. I find Adobe's subscription model abhorrent and went looking for a substitute. After testing a couple of options I decided to take a chance with Luminar as I got it about two hours ago for a sale price of $89.00 so I figured for that price the gamble was worth a try. I have now completed uploading 4393 images. The interface is nothing short of brilliant. The speed of adding the images was incredibly fast and the visual representation of the images is beyond outstanding. I'm looking forward to the editing capabilities and I suspect I will be very pleased.
Wow that’s awesome!
"Abhorrent." Absolutely. Adobe also has the worst support and each time I kill a Mac (which happens with monotonous regularity) getting adobe acrobat back (lifetime download) is as big a headache as reinstalling everything else combined. They used to have lifetime downloads for sale but hidden, but this time, for LR, I am just saying WHY. Why would I invest again in this kind of predatory product, even if I could find the lifetime download product. Thanks for your feedback on this substitute.
Thanks for the video, and thanks for asking for others' experiences. Useful.
Thanks David, that's just what I needed to hear. I was about to purchase Luminar Neo and thought I might need to hear a review on it first. They have an end of the year holiday special now for $99 for the lifetime so I'm going to get it. Thanks!
I love Luminar Neo. This company is based out of Ukraine. They continue to deliver the goods during extremely adverse conditions. Blows my mind. This is one of the huge reasons that I am supporting them. That being said, the more I use the program, the better I am getting at it. I love the results.
Hi, David! You did a good job comparing these two important software, especially regarding to pricing. Thanks fo that.
Best regards from Rio de Janeiro/Brazil.
Appreciate you! Glad it helped!
Thanks David for your videos. I have both and I start to enjoyed Luminar a lot.
This is just my 2 cents worth, but here is no such thing as lifetime with any of these companies, because usually annually they bring out a brand new version say v2 which you'll have to pay an upgrade fee for. You also stated Neo is a little cheaper than LR yes, but for the extra couple of $ you get Photoshop, Camera Raw plus a free Portfolio web site I actually use saving me paying for web space.
My biggest gripe is speed, Iv'e just upgraded to a M1 Macbook pro 16gb, and Neo still takes forever to process my finished edits, whereas LR flies through them.
A very professional video David well done, which has helped many out there I'm sure to decide what's best for there needs.
which do I enjoy using the most is lightroom, neo is like filters and luts over your photo with sliders and masks
For me, the speed that I can do the edit makes all the difference. Add that to a one time purchase and then add that the program continues to evolve and get better. It has an insiders group that you can learn a ton from.
All and all, I agree, it’s been a great investment for my editing. Thanks for the video David!
Right on!
Definitely worth having Luminar Neo; I have started with Luminar 2, and every new version was better then the last. I only pay to upgrade if I need/want to. I use in conjunction with DXO for best RAW converting engine, and better catalog functions. I always hated the Ligthroom convoluted import scheme.
Cool! Thank you David! I am buying Luminar Neo based on what you shared! Thank you!!
Rad!
I've been using Luminar AI for about a year, and I love it. I start my photos in Lightroom, then take them over to Luminar AI. I also enjoy Aurora HDR, which is another Skylum product. I think it's great to have multiple tools at my fingertips.
Yes! It's great to use multiple tools because it can spark new ideas and jog creativity
Thanks for the video
Hi David, yes, I used to subscribe to the Lightroom and associated software photography package but 2 factors lead to my transferring to Luminar Neo. I opine the following: cost of Lightroom to Luminar, and complexity of Lightroom and associated software to LuminarNeo; doubtless many can easily become adept with Lightroom and its associated software, but I couldn't. Regards JB
Very intrigued with how easy it is to edit in this software - also the option for a one time lifetime fee is extremely appealing. May have to take this for a test spin. Thanks for the video David.
Do it! Tons of great portrait tools too
Skylum was "sunsetting" a lot of photo apps in the past... releasing new named apps, that you have to buy. I never buy software from them again. So just keep in mind, that lifetime could be a short lifetime ;-)
Thanks David. This looks great. I just ordered the lifetime. I look forward to easier, quicker editing.
Right on!
I classify myself as a enthusiastic hobbyist photographer. I would like to have a photo editing program that is not complicated to use. Been doing some research and the more I learn about Luminar Neo the more I feel this should be the one for me. All editing programs will not check all the must have for everyone. However I feel the that this one will save me from a great deal of stress doing my edits. Thanks for your informative video.
You bet!
Brilliant software. I've just left Adobe for Luminar. Mostly happy with it but I'd like to see Layer naming brought in. It also accesses the image folder directly, so if you're doing any more than standard Post Processing, I'd make a copy of your image and edit that,
Besides the monthly fee (which was annoying), Lightroom kept telling me it couldn't find my images. I was spending more time searching for lost images and folders. In short, I was having a DAM problem-digital asset management. I wanted something simple-- I wanted to control where and how my images were stored. When Luminar came a long it solved the issues. When Luminar Neo arrived I found my decision was a correct one. Easy workflow. Thanks for the video !!
Hi David, great video! I currently have Luminar AI and was seeing if it was worth it to upgrade to Neo plus I was comparing Neo to LR. Question, does LR presets work on Luminar? Thanx
Probably not
Luminar has a lot going for it, but they're moving to a model where new features are being released as paid "extensions". That's a big "no thanks" from me. I own AI and Neo, but have decided not to further buy into their ecosystem and just stick with Adobe. Once in a while after I've made an edit with Adobe, I'll pop over to Luminar just to see if one of the templates can add that finishing touch to an image, but that's as much as I use it now.
That’s fair!
After using the program for a while, you realize that you can create many of those preset yourself. The program's ease of use and the AI incorporation make it easy to create presets.
It takes money to continue to development and the price is very inexpensive. The subscription gets you the latest updates and all new products for NEO. It amazes me that photographers will spend thousands on gear but batch about an 89.00 annual subscription.
@@michaelgould1587 Sure, if you make a living as a photographer, by all means, spend the money. It worth it, however many of us are hobby photographers so the calculation is different.
@@ziv2liv - I just don't see 90.00 a year as a big deal for what you get.
I have to admit, I am less than enthused by all this one click and it's fixed software. I own Neo, not totally sure why because I have never used it beyond a quick test drive when I first got it. I am one who thoroughly enjoys editting time and I'm not taken with all this other stuff. I think Neo actually walks a fine line where it gets pretty fake looking pretty fast.
You can pay for the perpetual licence but they get around providing you an app that lasts until a major upgrade by rereleasing it under a new name, Ai>Neo, unlike the likes of Serif where you get a few years of ownership and updates. Might as well be subscription based, which I don't buy into.
Same with capture one. Updates only for 1 year. I'm tired of this crap. Just gives us updates for like 3-4 years.
David, can you tell me how to locate the Sky Replacement tool in Neo, it's not in the Creative menu, no idea if i have it or it's hidden somewhere.
Thanks if you can.
Thanks 👍🏽
Luminar lost me completely when I learned that the extensions were $109 each if you want them. I am a Lr/Ps user and actually enjoy editing so speed isn't interesting to me. I know some folks don't enjoy the process of editing so for them it may be different.
I tried Luminar 4 when it was launched. It was too slow program for my computer and I did stick with Lightroom. I now have a new computer and are also switching soon to 45-60 megapixel camera and I do not think my ancient Lightroom which was then one time purchase works for that anymore. And absolutely I will NOT be having any subscription based software in my house ever. So now it is either Luminar Neo or DxO Photolab.
I use Luminar and I absolutely love it.
Great video David.
Thanks Jeff!
@@DavidJohnstonPhoto if you ever get to Wisconsin let me know. I’ll get you to some nice spots.
As an amateur photographer who shoots in RAW and likes tweaking his photos, I think Luminar Neo is great. Earlier versions of Luminar could be pretty slow and a bit buggy, but Neo is quick and smooth. I appreciate the power of Lightroom and Photoshop, but Luminar lets me do everything I want to do, including focus stacking. The Adobe products have a steep learning curve; I'm not a pro and don't want to spend the time to learn every little thing about them.
I have not used Luminar but like the faster edits you mentioned! BTW what does GM on your shelf mean?
The majority of the edits can take 1-3 clicks. Pretty incredible! Haha the GM stands for Good Morning. It's a way of life for me.
Does luminar neo have the capability to manage photos? Library of photo albums?
I start with Luminar 3 till the NEO version. but the new billing system and the Extension costs pushing me out of Luminar NEO.
I have been using Luminar in its various versions since Luminar 4 - easy to work with - but a bit confusing with the recent change in their subscription package. Still, I like working with Neo
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Jerome!
Thanks David have both Luminar Neo and Lightroom would use Luminar Neo more if they had a catalogue system
Yes if they had a catalogue I’d use it exclusively
Does Luminar Neo supports windows tablet mode?
The thing that Adobe does that has me sucked into their subscription model is the cloud. I upload my photos to edit on my Mac. Then let’s say I’m traveling and want to do some edits. No problem I just start Lightroom on my iPad and all my pics/edits are there. Maybe I want to show someone photos I’m editing while out and about. No problem I just open Lightroom on phone and they are all my pics/edits. If Luminar did that I might switch.
True. I broke this cloud trap by buying a tiny external hard drive… two actually
I use Neo and for portraits, it has a function for portraits.😊
I bought Luminar AI and it is by far the SLOWEST photo editing software I have ever used. It only works properly if you use 1 photo at a time. Once you load it into a library, good luck.
For reference, I use a 12 core Ryzen with Geforce 3080. The software is NOT programmed to use hardware acceleration efficiently.
What about the catalog and importing, folders , export, print, book????
Great video but you can't say you're not affiliated with Luminar and then the link you ask people to click on is an affiliate link with your name in the URL. We all get that you have to make money from affiliate links and more power to you, but be transparent about it. I would've trusted you and the product more had you been honest.
Does Luminar NEO have a mobile app (as Lightroom has)? Thanks
i've been using LM neo for about 8 months, a game changer for me.
Love that
Does luminar have a mobile app? Can we edit raw photos?
Hows this compare to Capture One
I've been using luminar for a few years now. I like luminar AI the best. I just purchased a lightroom, photoshop subscription, so I'll see if I like them as much.
Right on!
Any thoughts, 2 weeks in?
Luminar Neo vs DxO PL 6??
I use Lightroom 6 for its cataloguing feature but do most of my editing in Luminar Neo
Love that!
Can Topaz plugins be used with Luminar?
No but Luminar has similar plugins that can be added
I got Luminar recently. I am still playing with it.
It's really fun to play with. I've been loving some of their tools
Yes, I use Luminar Neo. I have stopped using LR or PS all together.
Wow!
The problem with Skylum software is the deception. I have bought every form of every Skylum Offering for the last five years and NEO was a fraudulent roll out. The Extensions they now offer where part of the promised advertisement for the software early purchase. AI Background removal is now an extension but was the big hook originally. I use mainly Capture One 23 and will no long support Skylum Products.
With luminar AI, if I'm editing a batch of photos, I can save a preset after I edit the first photo, and apply it to the rest
Yep! You can actually do the same thing in Lightroom too but yeah it’s a huge time hack
I have both but I use Luminar Neo more than LR. I used LR for some sophisticated editing.
Sophisticated. I like that
My ultimate goal is to completely get away from photoshop due to its complexity. I have an idea in mind for a picture and I don't want the software to make the process of getting there frustrating. With Luminar, I get to where I need to go very fast and my clients are super happy.
I recently switched from ON1 to Luminar Neo. I found the workflow in ON1 to be a bit clunky. They added a lot of features in weird spots in their interface recently and I found it to be a huge resource hog on my Mac. I did some comparisons and generally found the results I was getting in Luminar to be better, especially on portraits. I trialed Lightroom but didn’t like that I had to switch back and forth between Lightroom and Photoshop. Also, it’s weird that there is Lightroom CC and Lightroom Classic with different experiences. My advice to Adobe would be to simplify their portfolio of apps.
Great take Russell. I haven't used ON1 much so can't speak to that, but I agree with you on Lightroom. For some reason I get better results more consistently using Luminar than Lightroom. Sharper, brighter colors, more dynamic range.
Appreciated the video, David.
Here's my issue with Luminar:
Skylum has a habit of ignoring major software issues while at the same time coding in useless features. I used to use Luminar exclusively, but the bugs were so bad that I had to give it up and I went to Lightroom. It frustrated me (and a ton of other users based on their Facebook group) to no end that it would take five minutes to process a simple healing brush edit (making it utterly useless), but by golly, if I wanted to add a Space Shuttle or fake birds to my landscape scene, I could do that no problem.
And that's what I mean: Version after version came out, but the slowness of the app and the bugs in it were never fully (or at all) addressed. At the same time, they would just keep adding in ridiculous "features" that no serious professional or semi-pro photographer would ever use; hence why they don't exist in Lightroom or Photoshop.
I'd like to give Neo a try, just because it is certainly faster and easier to edit photos than it is in Lightroom, but I struggle with the notion of continuing to pay them for nonsense.
Hey Kirk! I actually just saw your comment on Facebook too. Your problems with Luminar were mine too. In 2019. I stopped using it because it crashed constantly. I decided to grab NEO and have seen improvements. During an edit the only issue with slowness I’ve seen is with adding new layers onto a photo and some clone stamping. Other than that no issues seen
Is there an iPad version of luminar neo? I guess not…
Nope
I love Neo, but if you need a DAM, Neo is useless, especially if you want to sync to mobile devices like the Adobe Photo plans do.
The only thing that keeps me from dumping Lightroom all together is the lack of a robust print module.
That's very fair!
If it can't do everything I want to do in Lr and Ps, it's not a contender. It just costs more money.
in 6 months they will come up with a new "Skylum" product with exact the same things with maybe 1 extra feature. I like their software, hate their business model.
Had adobe and now Luminar has completely replaced it. If you know how to use your camera Luminar is all you need for photo edits. If you want to pretend to be a pro adobe makes you sound better but your photos are what they are.
Its easy - one has moved to subscription only, the other offers a "one time only" purchase option. If there is any usable alternative, good riddance to everything adobe I say.
The problem with Luminar is that the software requires ultra professional setup, but I’m sure almost no one with such a setup will use Luminar before Lightroom.
The speed of editing and AI masking in Lightroom are much superior.
Luminar Neo, was affordable but not anymore. Lots of photographers like me who came over from Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop are returning back because of the cost as their updates are free of charge. Sorry Luminar you have lost it.
I hear that. Good comment
I think from seeing this luminar has awesome potential, but at the same time i’m scared it’ll turn the newer generation into lazy editors & eliminates real skill
You do professional landscape photography but you don't notice a dirty sensor? Typical...
You keep arguing that the usage of some of the features, make the photo look "Fake". I would use the word "expressionism" because let's face it, the moment you hit that preset, the photo is no longer authentic or "pure". 😉
Luminar wins on price purely because it has a lifetime option. Adobe is greedy.
Long advertisement.
Over half this video is the presenter talking to camera and very little demonstration most of which is glib and superficial.
your video is way too choppy to see the effects even change much. sorry, I kept replaying to try to see what you were demonstrating and it just was frustrating to try to see.
‘Already use Luminar Neo
Do you like it?
@@DavidJohnstonPhoto Sorry hit send earlier before I was finished. Yes I haven’t looked back in my editing journey, dropped Lightroom and use on1 raw and Luminar neo. Although, Luminar is the fastest to get a great results, but sometimes in need some of the tools in on1. Your video was a perfect hitting all the high points of Luminar, and I did get some good nuggets of information. Keep up the great work!
Appreciate you Dave!
Love Luminar, AI and Neo. Only use LR for B&W in Silver Efex. This suits my photography.
Love to hear it!