Author Archives: aym4t

Adobe Hikes the Price of it’s Photography Plan – Some alternatives

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Edit (5/8/19): Adobe appears to have succumbed to the pressure. They’ve currently withdrawn their price hike, for the moment.

On May 2nd, Petapixel posted a story about Adobe increasing the price of it’s Photography Plan from $9.99/mo to $19.99/mo. Doubling it’s price!

As you all know, I’m an Adobe person. I love the Adobe ecosystem, it’s offerings, and it’s power. Photoshop was my first “Adobe baby”, when I started using it at Version 2.5 (before layers were invented, let alone, editable text!). I am an Adobe Certified Instructor for Photoshop and an Adobe Community Professional.

However, I don’t know if this price increase is a great idea for Adobe, unless they’re comfortable losing their Photography customers. YES, paying into the subscription plan will keep you up to date on ALL the new features of Photoshop and Lightroom as they come up. YES, Photoshop is still the most powerful image editor out there, especially for people who want to create composites and compositions, include the ability to create video (and work with video clips), and work in 3D in their image editor. It has many graphic features not employed by it’s competitors in the image editing space. However, for those who are strictly focused on their photography, who want power and don’t care about Photoshop’s powerful design capabilities, their 3D, and their video options (and more), there are some AMAZINGLY POWERFUL Alternatives:

ON1 Photo Raw is about to release their 2019.5 version of their incredibly powerful image editing software. This software has functions that replace much of Lightroom, and Photoshop allowing Presets, Filters, Color Look-Up Tables, POWERFUL AI lead masking, retouching, layers, HDR, Panorama,World Class image resizing and more. On1 Photo Raw allows for:

  • Image organization and Editing
  • Working with any file type you throw at it: RAW, jpg, psd, png, and more
  • Installation on up to 5 computers, Mac or Windows
  • No Importing!
  • Direct migration from Lightroom (so you don’t lose the work you’ve done)
  • Tons of tutorials

On1 Photo Raw costs $63.99 (for upgrade), $79.99 Full Version, or $129.99 (including On1 Plus Pro – amazing support, free presets, and more). And you OWN the license – NO SUBSCRIPTION. Buy 2019.2 today, and you’ll receive the upgrade to 2019.5 for free, when it comes out.

Skylum is offering a Discount to their Luminar 3.1 application until May 14th.

Luminar 3.1 offers:

  • AI Image Enhancement (one click enhancements)
  • A Full-Featured Organizer and Editor (with keywording, labeling, rating and more)
  • Powerful Presets to use as they are, or to edit
  • Layers, Blends, Filters (50+), Masks
  • AI Sky Enhancer
  • AI Foliage Enhancer
  • Erase Unwanted Objects
  • Powerful Noise Reduction
  • Non-Destructive Photo Editing
  • Workspaces
  • Activation on up to 5 Computers – Windows or Mac

And, if you order before May 14th, you get a great discount, Plus “Photography 101” Video Course at a SERIOUS discount!

$60 Full Price ($50, with discount code: SGANS_DISC) – regular price $70
$69 including Photography 101 Video Course ($59, with discount code: SGANS_DISC) – regular price $169!
$129 including Aurora HDR and Photography 101 Video Course ($119, with discount code: SGANS_DISC) – regular price $268!

Again, you OWN the license – no subscriptions!

Affinity Photo is also a powerful alternative for Photoshop. And serif.com has created a strong ecosystem of their own – offering an Illustrator and an InDesign alternative as well. Affinity Photo can be purchased at $69.99 (Canadian dollars)

And for those of you who like to work with Donation-ware (FREE, but requesting donations), please take a look at GIMP – a powerful, cross-platform image editor at https://www.gimp.org

If you feel I left your favorite out of this list, please say something in the comments!

I use Techsmith Camtasia and SnagIt, and LOVE them!

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People often ask me what I use to create my training videos and enhance my screenshots and my answer is: Techsmith Camtasia for videos, and I use SnagIt for quick captures (still or video).

Camtasia is a powerful, yet easy video editor, an screen capture tool. You can capture your monitor, your voice, your webcam, your keyboard entries, and even your computer’s system sounds, and choose whether to use or edit all of those parts, as you wish. And, it’s easy to add video captured on another device, like a video camera, a still camera with video capabilities, even your smartphone! The markup tools can be used to enhance what your viewer sees – you can add highlights, callouts of text or graphics. You can animate items in the app, you can even use your computer’s voice to speech capabilities to create closed captioning! The learning curve is simple and Techsmith has some amazing online free videos (and I teach this, as well). Check it out HERE!

SnagIt is a Screen Capture and Screen Recorder application. It will capture screenshots and Videos, and allow you to mark them up or simple quickly produce a video to share online. It doesn’t have the power of al the video editing capabilities of Camtasia, but if you need a quick and powerful capture tool with great markup functions, this is a quick, accessible tool to choose.

View both Techsmith Camtasia, and Techsmith SnagIt at Techsmith’s website.

By the way – this is one of those companies that offers smart and professional customer support. It’s one I hold up as a standard for all the rest!

Luminar 3.1 update announced – with a FANTASTIC new Accent AI Feature

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Skylum has announced the V3.1 Update To Luminar, and WOW is it terrific!

With an update that includes “Accent AI 2.0”, Artificial Intelligence helps you enhance your images to a whole other level! Dozens of adjustments available within one slider! With extra technology to recognize and enhance people in your photos separately. How easy to get amazing images with one click!

But, they didn’t lose their full-featured editor and all it’s enhancements, along with tons of presets to get you started in making your photo yours (if you wish to use them)!

Until May 14th, Skylum is offering the following:

Anyone who wants a smooth, easy-to-use, photo editing application will not go wrong with this app (it also comes with Photoshop and Lightroom plugins, for those who are Photoshoppers).

This is software for which you OWN the license. No subscriptions required!

 

Boost Your Drone Photography – Automatically!

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Skylum AirMagic – Introductory Sale

Powered by AI and advanced algorithms, AirMagic improves your aerial photos automatically. Simply drag & drop all your pictures to the app, and let technology do the work.

From April 24, 2019-April 29, 2019 (at 1AM PST), purchase AirMagic for only $29!

Included Bonuses:
“Shoot Professional Photos With Any Drone” Video Course (value – $79)
“Japan Spring” style (value – $12)

Click HERE to learn more and download a trial or purchase AirMagic at a Discount!

Skylum Introduces AirMagic – Process your Drone Photography – Preorder NOW

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Introducing AirMagic

Pre-order March 7. Available March 21.

Skylum Software is excited to introduce the first software dedicated to drone photography – AirMagic.
Powered by AI and advanced algorithms, AirMagic improves your aerial photos automatically. All you need to do is drag and drop your photos to the app. AirMagic will take care of the rest by carefully enhancing each picture.

Preorder is Only $19USD + bonuses!

Cinematic Looks for Skylum Luminar and Adobe Lightroom

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In honor of last Sunday’s Oscars, Skylum, in affilation with LA Based photographer Ilya Nodia has created a beautiful set of 12 great looking Cinematic Looks for use with Skylum Luminar and Adobe Lightroom. These amazing looks (editable and flexible) are a pack of 12, for only $24!

To read what Ilya Nodia himself says, please click the PDF attached to this post. And below, take a look at just a FEW of the Before and After Images of this package’s offerings:

 


Techsmith Camtasia and Snagit Upgrades – Promo until 2.8.19

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For those of you seeking excellent Screen Capture/Screenshot/Screen Video Editing software – you can’t miss this deal!

Upgrade to Camtasia 2018 and Get Camtasia Maintenance ($49.60 Value) Free.

Included in the Camtasia Maintenance package:

  • Free Upgrades – One year of new versions of the product
  • Priority Support – Dedicated phone queue & expedited handling
  • Camtasia Certification – Exclusive training to expand your skills

The promo will end February 8, 11:59 PM, PST so hurry up and ORDER NOW!

 

On1 Photo RAW 2019.2 Kickoff Sale!

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600x500
For a limited time purchase On1 Photo RAW 2019.2 for only $69.99

On1 Photo RAW 2019.2 is an all new Photo Editing experience!

It features a new AI-powered Quick Mask Tool that’s a game changer in photo editing. It allows you to create detailed masks in seconds, making it easier than ever to replace backgrounds or target specific areas for effects or local adjustments.

Here’s a quote from a happy ON1 customer about the AI Quick Mask Tool:

“Wow, the applications for this new masking ability are practically endless, especially when you think about how you can use the mask afterward for other effects and local adjustments. I can’t wait to go back into some of my pictures from that past few years and use this feature. It’s awesome!” – Jesse 

Download the new ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2 and we’ll show you exactly how to use the new AI Quick Mask tool. It’s easy and fun, and it gives you limitless creative possibilities. Buy during our Kick Off Sale to get a great deal with bonus extras!

For just $69.99, you get a full, non-subscription license to one of the most powerful photo editing tools ever, plus, they’re including EVERYTHING you need to get up and running:

ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2

Your all-in-one photo editor and better photo editing experience. – $99.99

RAW Processing 101 Video Course

Learn how to take photos straight out of your camera and edit them to look exactly like they did on the camera’s display screen. Includes 9 downloadable lessons, practice files, and follow-along raw files. – $24.99

ON1 Photo RAW 2019 Looks eBook & Video

25 step-by-step editing looks and videos that make it easy to get started with Photo RAW 2019. – $39.99

ON1 Loyalty Rewards 2019

It’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year – free presets, textures, eBooks, and more every month! – $100

ON1 From A-Z

The official ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2 user guidebook. Over 170 pages covering everything you need to know about ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2.

FREE! Total Value: $264.97
Your Price: $69.99

Who doesn’t like FREE Video Effects?

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Once again, PremiumBeat.com is offering stuff for FREE!

Today, they announced a free plugin that works with almost all NLE’s (non-linear editors, for those of you who don’t do video). And, that plugin includes lots of free effects to be used in your work, along with a quick tutorial on how to use them (the transitions aren’t applied as you may be used to – they use track mattes and such – easy though). There’re also some effects using my favorite “toy” – blending modes.

I don’t recommend using all of these as they’re created – but they’re cool enough that you can. But, you can also make them your own, amending their contents to your preferences.

Check out the FREE plugin and content – you’ll be happy to have this resource. I know I am!

Save $20 on Skylum Luminar 3 (with discount code)- Flash Sale

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Luminar 3 Banner

Skylum Luminar 3 New Year Flash Sale

Save $20 Sunday, December 30th – Wednesday, January 2nd (with Discount Code: SGANS_DISC)

New users can purchase Luminar 3 for US$59 (US$49 with discount code SGANS_DISC) instead of US$69.

Using Artificial Intelligence in combination with your skills (or free presets plus your skills), you can make your photos as beautiful as you see them in your mind.

As with any software, the original new release had some bugs, but, per Skylum:
Thank you very much for reporting the issues you have encountered with Luminar 3, you helped us fix a lot of bugs. Your feedback is very valuable for the team, and as a result of that we are releasing the hotfix update of Luminar 3 where a lot of things you’ve flagged have been fixed.

Here are the most essential improvements:

MAC:

    • Stability improved – Fixed 20+ crash issues

    • Fixed issue with folder destination for catalog

  • Fixed crash on quit

WINDOWS:

    • Fixed language change issue

    • Fixed issue with folder destination for catalog

    • Fixed connection to internet issue

    • Fixed crashes in LR/PS plugins

    • Export/Share moved to file menu

    • Fixed issues with duplicated images

  • Stability improved –  40+ crash issues fixed.