Not too long ago, MacPhun introduced Aurora HDR software. While it could work well to edit single-exposure images, it really isn’t meant for that purpose. But pretty soon, MacPhun is going to be releasing Luminar, a full, single image editing software that gives you the ability to turn your images from everyday to spectacular using either the most simple tools, or choosing to use some seriously advanced image editing tools.
I was fortunate enough to get a bit of a chance to experiment with Luminar, and although I’m not allowed to disclose much (yet), I think you’ll be really pleased at it’s ease of use and the breadth of it’s functionality.
Luminar will be released on November 17th, and the purchase price will be $69, but if you sign up to be notified of a preorder (preorders will start on November 2nd), you’ll be able to get the software for a $10 discount ($59). To sign up for a preorder notification, please follow this link http://macphun.evyy.net/c/321616/317324/3255.
But, why preorder, when you can’t even see what it does?! So, MacPhun has created a Sneek Peek on their blog. To find out more about the ease and functionality of this program (which also works as a Photoshop Plugin), please click this link.
Please click this link to be notified of this Pre-Order and launch – Announcing Luminar
This is gonna be GREAT:
About Luminar:
Innovative Adaptive User Interface
The Luminar user interface is built around the idea that every photographer is different, and therefore their photo editing needs are different too. Users can choose from 4 default interface variations, designed for: quick image fixes, photo enhancement with presets, an intermediate level of control, and advanced editing.
Workspaces & Filters
Luminar is the first Macphun editor to introduce Workspaces – innovative collections of tools most suitable for a specific type of photography. Default Workspaces will cover Portrait, Landscape, Street, and Black & White Photography. In addition, users can create an unlimited number of custom Workspaces, as well as import Workspaces from other photographers.
Luminar 1.0 will feature over 35 innovative imaging filters, from classic Tone & Exposure, to Bi-Color, Photo Filter Emulation, Cross-Processing, Detail Enhancement and dozens of others. Each filter category includes a set of precise controls, which can be adjusted to create countless different looks.
Users can save a group of pre-adjusted filters to create their own one-click preset, or for convenience, choose from over 50 pre-defined presets. With categories ranging from Outdoor to Portrait, Street to Drama, there’s a preset for every photography style.
Innovative non-destructive editing and powerful selection tools
The new Luminar for Mac introduces a new editing workflow. Users can change the order of applied filters at any time in the editing process, therefore totally changing the look of their photo. With the new History feature users can check all steps of the editing process, and go back to any step at any time.
The new selection tools in Luminar include;: adjustable editing brush, radial and gradient masking, as well as masking with a single layer and masking with an independent filter.
Together with the powerful blend modes, layers and filters, these masking tools allow users to easily perform even the most complex edits, for instance the sky replacement.
What else is in Luminar?
Essential photo fixing tools, including spot healing, crop & transform, clone & stamp, noise reduction and other.
Complete photo enhancement toolset, including exposure & contrast controls, saturation, vibrance, clarity, sharpness, polarization, and more.
Creative color controls & adjustments, including bi-color, split toning, selective luminosity, saturation & hue controls and more.
A myriad of photo filters, including cross process, glow, orton effect, monochrome, soft tone and more.
Layers with blend modes and layer masking
Custom Textures with blend modes
Works as a standalone software, plugin & extension
Built-in RAW converter
Availability and Pricing:
Luminar will be available for pre-order on November 2nd at a discounted price of $59 for all new users, and just $49 for anyone who already uses has Macphun photo software. Pre-order offer will also include a bonus pack of photo training videos and a course on building a photography business from Will Burrard-Lucas, an award-winning UK based wildlife photographer with over one million Facebook fans.
Luminar will be available for purchase on November 17t
Marked down from the $239 regular price, On1 Photo 10.5 and Photo RAW is still available for the crazy price of $99.99 (Please note – On1 Photo is at 10.5 currently)
As you all know, I’m a big fan of using my DSLR for most of my photography, but it’s rather bulky to carry – so often, I count on my Smart Phone to capture a moment or scene (in my case, an iPhone 5S). I love it’s convenience, but compared to the captures I can get on my Nikon, there are often issues I have to repair.
Noise (blocks of off-color pixels) is a major issue for me. I get it in skies, shadows, areas that should be smooth look broken and pixellated. This is a particular problem in Southern California, where the lighting outside can often be quite harsh. Please note, this software is Mac only.
Enter MacPhun Noiseless (and Noiseless Pro, as a Photoshop Plugin). With some truly intuitive settings, noise can be easily cleared from an image, while clarity and detail can be maintained and enhanced. Check it out by clicking the banner:
Click the banner and enter each week to win:
On1 Photo RAW and a Wacom Cintiq 13HD Interactive Pen and Touch
12.9 inch Silver 128 GB Apple iPad Pro
$1000 B&H Photo Gift Card
Sony Alpha a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera with a 16-50mm lens
$1000 Amazon Gift Card
DJO PHantom 4 Qudacopter with 4K/12MP Camera
And, in the meantime, click ON1 Effects 10 FREE to download a free version of the On1 set of Photoshop plugins
Today, MacPhun released their 2017 version of Aurora HDR Pro. For those of you who want beautiful visuals, with detail in your highlight, shadow and midtones in your photos, this software is insanely powerful. Even with a single image, detail can be pulled out that the camera’s capabilities can’t match.
On1 has created an excellent video on the relative speed of processing a photo using their new (coming soon) Photo RAW software, vs their existing On1 Photo 10.5 (which I’ve been using, and loving). Check out the video here.
On1 is offering an excellent deal – a Presale of Photo RAW prior to it’s release – buy Photo 10.5 now, and the upgrade to RAW is FREE on release. Click the link below to check out the deal! ON1 Photo 10 now + ON1 Photo RAW Free (Fall 2016)
Click the banner and enter each week to win:
On1 Photo RAW and a Wacom Cintiq 13HD Interactive Pen and Touch
12.9 inch Silver 128 GB Apple iPad Pro
$1000 B&H Photo Gift Card
Sony Alpha a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera with a 16-50mm lens
$1000 Amazon Gift Card
DJO PHantom 4 Qudacopter with 4K/12MP Camera
And, in the meantime, click ON1 Effects 10 FREE to download a free version of the On1 set of Photoshop plugins
As an avid Photoshop user, as well as teacher, I’ve become enamored of a few of the best plugins available for various purposes. One of my main Go-To plugin suites is the On1 set. I’m planning on doing quite a few tutorials on this set, and will be speaking a lot about it in the coming months.
They’re about to release a brilliant new RAW processing app, which will complement their suite. It can be used as a replacement or adjunct to your normal Photoshop or Lightroom workflow, and it promises to be terrific.
To encourage people to check out their software, On1 is going to be launching a new SWEEPSTAKES this Sunday, September 18th. They’ll be giving away all sorts of things – iPads, cameras, drones, software… and I encourage you to enter the sweepstakes! To do so, please click the banner on this post.
One set of my favorite plugin developers, MacPhun, has released an article on their blog about the expected changes in the upcoming MacOS Sierra. While I’m usually quite hesitant to upgrade my OS (I don’t like buying software upgrades for my existing apps – and what happened with Mavericks and it’s lack of video codecs is inexcusable), some of the revelations about the new Mac native photography apps are intriguing.
I skipped Mountain Lion, I’ve skipped El Capitan – but I might consider Sierra (after a good, long, healthy wait to the .2 update version).
nk you’ll be really pleased at it’s ease of use and the breadth of it’s functionality.
