Last updated on December 8th, 2023
Save $10 Off Your Purchase of Luminar 4
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Luminar AI was released in 2020. Read the Luminar AI review for more information. Updated: Luminar 4 is now replaced by Luminar Neo. Read the Luminar Neo review for more information and updates.
The world of photography gets you outside to capture the most memorable moments. But that’s just one part of the process. The second part is to manage, edit, and then showcase your images. And that’s what this Luminar review is all about. I’ll provide a brief summary of the important features.
What is Luminar 4?
Luminar 4 is a photography software that helps with image management and photo editing. It’s known for its automatic sky replacement technology, and skin and portrait enhancers. It’s also an alternative to Lightroom and Adobe’s creative cloud monthly membership.
The latest version of Luminar 4 is developed by Skylum (formerly Macphun). They also developed the HDR photography software Aurora HDR. Read my Aurora HDR review for more information.
Summary of My Luminar 4 Review
I previously tested the beta version of Luminar 4, but now I have the production version that I’ll continue to review. Skylum is still making updates to the software, so the latest version may look or function differently from this Luminar review.
Importing Images
Luminar 4’s importing process is straightforward:
- Select the folders containing your images.
- The software will scan the folders and add the photos to the library.
The software doesn’t duplicate the images, but rather it points to the images via database. You can also import images via an SD card by using the Import Images to a Folder option.
Image Management
Luminar 4 organizes images according to how you organize your files in the backend. All my travel photography that were captured RAW are sorted by country folders. There are also 3 types of tags that you can apply to your photos:
- favorite or rejected
- star rating
- color label
The tags can be used to sort your images.
Editing Images
Luminar 4 comes with a variety of standard and advanced tools for photographers. I’ll go over some of their advanced tools.
AI Sky Replacement Technology
Photographing landscapes and cityscapes with a dull sky usually doesn’t cut it for many photographers. As a result, sky replacement or sky color grading is a common practice to edit an Instagram-worthy image. But masking can be difficult and time consuming especially when there are detailed objects such as tree branches or city wires.
As a result, Luminar 4 will automatically detect the sky, create a mask, and then you can replace the sky from a list of saved sky photos. Furthermore, relighting is automatically applied: the color of the sky will be applied to the rest of the image. This feature saves photographers a considerable amount of time because it’s completed in a few seconds. Of course, the ethics of replacing the sky is up for debate.
AI Augmented Sky
As of version 4.2, Luminar allows photographers to place an object in the sky such as birds or planes. This is a nice-to-have when you want to make your sky look more creative. Read more about the AI Augmented Sky.
AI Skin Enhancer
The skin enhancer automatically detects the blemishes on the face and with one click removes them. It also allows you to adjust the smoothness of the skin using a slider.
Below is an example of the skin enhancer. I simply check marked the AI Skin Defects Removal box for the result without using the skin smoother. If you want to touch-up the face more, then you can adjust the skin smoother slider or use the clone & stamp tool.
Portrait Enhancer
This tool allows you to quickly edit your portrait photography. Luminar 4 includes dedicated tools for editing eyes, dark circles, face, eyebrows, lips, and teeth.
Below is an example of the results the portrait enhancer can produce with the above settings. I also used the skin ehancer to smooth out the skin a little bit.
Here’s a summary of the pros and cons:
Pros
- combined image management and editing system
- speeds up landscape photography workflow
- speeds up portrait photography workflow
- great for color grading
- supports layers
Cons
- spot healing tool is limited
- no straighten tool
- software is still a bit slow
- no customizable interface
Release Date
Luminar 4 was released on November 18, 2019.
Price
Luminar 4 costs $89. In addition, you can use my Luminar 4 coupon code for a $10 discount: aperlust. The code does not apply to promotions.
Conclusion
I’m a travel photographer and the main hype in this Luminar 4 review is its sky replacement tool. It saves so much time since it doesn’t require any masking.
It’ll also save time for portrait photographers since Luminar 4 has a dedicated section to quickly edit clients’ photos.
But one thing that annoys me is Luminar 4 is a bit slow in showing the preview in real-time after I make an adjustment – even a simple adjustment. It’s almost like I’m working with Photoshop filters which is CPU intensive.
Users have also mentioned that Luminar 4 crashes on them. It hasn’t crashed on my Mac, yet. But Skylum does offer a trial version of Luminar 4 in addition to a 30-day money-back guarantee.
You can read some of the Luminar 4 performance issues.
Skylum released Luminar version 4.2.0 on March 19, 2020. It’s supposed to have fixed more bugs and crash issues since the January 4.1.0 update.
Update as of January 16, 2020. Professional photographers and their photography community are still having slow performance issues with Luminar 4. The software is running extremely slow with catalogs of over 20,000 photos. This is occurring on both Mac and Windows systems that are fully optimized (32 GB RAM, SSD hard drive, i7 quad-core CPU).
Update as of March 19, 2020. According to Skylum, the new 4.2.0 version is supposed to have fixed crash-related bugs on both Mac and Windows. I don’t have any crash issues myself. Also, I’m not seeing any professional photographers complaining that their students are having problems at the moment. Let me know in the comments below if you are having issues.
In terms of image management, Luminar 4 is not comprehensive. Lightroom and Capture One do a much better job at that. Read my Capture One review. Luminar 4 is a great software for beginning photographers or casual hobbyists. The price is great at less than $100 and you can buy it outright.
If you’re a professional photographer, Luminar 4 will be more of a complement photography software than an all-in-one software. You’ll still need other tools for advanced editing. But Luminar does come with a Lightroom and Photoshop plugin.
FAQ’s
Does Luminar 4 replace Luminar 3?
Yes, Luminar 4 is the new version with updated features that are not available in Luminar 3.
Can Luminar 4 Replace Lightroom?
Luminar 4 can replace Lightroom for hobbyists and casual photographers. Professional photographers will still require Lightroom.
Is Luminar 4 Better Than Lightroom?
No, Lightroom is better than Luminar 4. Lightroom is far more superior in performance, image management, image editing, and soft proofing.
How Much Does Luminar Cost?
The latest version of Luminar costs $89.
Is Luminar 4 Better Than Photoshop?
No, Luminar 4 is not better than Photoshop. They have some common features but Photoshop is an advanced image editor whereas Luminar 4 is a basic photograph management software with great image editing features.
What is the Best Alternative to Lightroom?
Right now, the best alternative to Lightroom is Capture One Pro.
What is the Difference Between Luminar and Luminar Flex?
Luminar Flex is a plugin between Luminar and other photography software such as Lightroom. It allows photographers to easily make edits in Luminar and re-import the image back to the original host software.
When is the Luminar 5 Release Date?
There is not a set date for the release of Luminar 5 at this point. And the next version of the software is called Luminar AI and is expected to be released later this year in 2020.
Thanks for your review on a beta version.
Do you think the masking technology can be applied to portraits , I.e., do what green screen does?
The portrait and skin enhancers do create a mask but you’re not going to be able to extract that mask like a Photoshop selection or green screen.
You’re better off masking in Photoshop by using its quick selection tool or color range.
Another option is Topaz Labs’ Mask AI.
I don’t see 5 stars. Not at this time. I will give 2 Stars.
There is missing skin smoothing.
When adding a Texture Over layer you can’t move around to position the way you want.
Very bad print module. Just print just like from 90’s
Missing other tools that are important for picture fixing. You will need other programs to use for fixing photos. Too bad. I don’t need a 100% sky replacement I need a 100% fixing photos
Unless you’re looking for a specific type of skin smoothing result, the AI skin enhancer does smooth out skin.
Did you try clicking on transform layer? It gives you the option to move around and transform an overlay texture layer.
You are right, there is no soft proofing for prints in Luminar 4.
At this time, Luminar 4 isn’t meant to replace an advanced photo editor like Photoshop.
Agree that the Sky Replacement and other tools are a time- saver.
Where I think Skylum messed up with the release of 4, is the fact they have eliminated the option to create Custom Workspaces. You can no longer select those filters that you use frequently for certain subjects. Instead, Skylum has put together a few pre-selected filters that THEY think are applicable to Portraits, Essential, Pro, and Creative. And that’s it! You can’t add filters to a pre-defined group. So you are stuck with they think is comprehensive. If you want to use an additional filter, you are now relegated to opening and closing their workspaces In order to find a specific filter. Don’t know who thought this was good idea!!
Please google: luminar 4 performance to see what real users think about Luminar 4, is so slow is not usable
My two cents. What I like is the AI, let’s me be lazy. Or allows me to compare my edit to the AI. Like what it offers for cleaning up skin tones and the sky tool is awesome. What I do not like, it could be user error, every time I download from Luminar to iPhoto I lose all my edits. What gives, why are there not simple sharing options to social media. Therefore, I have individually email myself edited images that I download and post individually. PIMA! I am using a new Mac mini, very powerful. That said, this program keeps freezing when I take a strong crop to a photograph. Not good. IMHO, user friendly some great tools but has some serious kinks.
Luminar 4 is a HUGE STEP BACKWARD from its predecessor, Luminar 3. Sklum removed the ability to create custom workspaces and workflows, which made using Luminar 3 amazing. However, some idiots from Sklum thought it would be smart to DUMB LUMINAR DOWN and make it slower, less efficient, and destroy works-flows, which was the magic behind Luminar in the first place. Now they pretend Luminar 4 is some kind of amazing leap forward when in reality it is a huge leap backwards. Even the support for it have turned on their long-time users. LUMINAR 4 is a DUMPSTER FIRE.
I know that a couple of months ago, Skylum promised to improve performance ”within 3 months”. Does someone have clues about it? Have the speed issues been solved? Thx in advance: when I see comments as FRank’s one (‘Luminar 4, is so slow is not usable”), I cannot think about buying it, however the AI for sky replacement looked so fabulous…
As far as I know, several users are still having speed issues with the latest update.
Thank you Vincent. I guess I’ll still wait some time…
If you’re an Mac user I suppose this Luminar 4 works just fine, Windows is another story. If I knew what I know now about Sklylum I wouldn’t have purchased their software. I have an extremely high end desktop I built for my photography and videos and up until recently Luminar would not open on my config. Skylum was and is a Mac friendly operation. When it comes to windows (any version) they lack the expertise. I’ve spent countless hours working with their tech department with no solution (after purchasing most of their software). My windows laptop is another story in that all the products install correctly and open. l have just loaded the Luminar 4, once again, and it did install correctly. Now if I open an photo in LR the product becomes unstable. Needless to say, it was a waste of time and money. There are far better, and more stable products out there and subsequently I have moved on. Be your own judge. ALL other installed products, are flawless. Stay healthy… Stay safe.. Good Luck
I read the comments above to late, I purchased the software and I can´t use, too slow. Want my money back, hope they don´t make it hard.
Tried to get Luminar 4 working on a Toshiba Windows 7 and a Dell Windows 7 laptop. Always crashing. Obtained refund. Tried to get Luminar 3 working on laptop. Unable to activate. Patience is wearing thin with support. You get a different person each time who says “try this” never actually resolving the issue.
Hello ! I was one of the early birds that paid in advance for version 4. Honestly, even after using the latest version from May 2020, it still crashes and have serious performance issues with the edition tools like healing, clone, etc. I have an iMac 4-core i5 with 32 GB of ram and SSD and a Windows 10 PC with a Ryzen/32G and SSD. Everything is updated, etc. I also use DxO Elite and Capture One. They never crashes.
I have no use for the Ai gimmicks.
But what i HATE in Luminar is the way its catalog works, It’s simply stupid and the risk of have the original files deleted from disk is extremely high. IF and WHEN they decide to make a decent caltalog i MAY give it another try.
Hallo, welche mindest techn. Voraussetzung muss ein Windows Latop erfüllen, um mit Luminar als Amateuer arbeiten zu können?
I REALLY REALLY wanted Luminar to work, paid for the original & and patiently paid for all updates since, wanting to believe the spin that a performance & stability fix would be available “soon” – NO MORE.
It IS NOT READY for use running under Windows, and not even worthy of being called beta software. Save your money & look elsewhere. I don’t think that this company has any competence in developing Windows code. Maybe it will work OK on a Mac eventually, but I have zero confidence in it ever working under Windows.
Running Luminar 4.1.1 build 5342 on a PC running Windows 10 powered by an i9900k and RX580 GPU with 64 Gigs of RAM..I have no issues, no crashes and no lag. I tried the latest version 4.4.2 build 5577 and cannot use it. The images keep distorting, zooming in and stretching when I try to make any adjustments. I was told they are aware of this and hopefully the next release fixes it.
When I add a Radial mask and apply a mask in Luminar 4, Luminar just keeps on showing “image processing” and it never stops. So making local adjustments doesn’t work a.k.a. not possible with Luminar 4. I have paid for this product! This is not acceptable!
Can’t really see that it does anything that can’t be done in photoshop, if you know what you are doing
Luminar is user-friendly, but the performance issues make it unusable (IMO). It is so slow to show images, that initial sorting is impractical. And with a library of about ~500 images, I can only process maybe 50-100 before it gets so slow that it is unusable (i.e. you can’t even use the sliders any more). At that point, the only solution I’ve found is to export my work to date, delete that library, and start again with a new library. I’m not using a powerhouse system, but nor is my computer an antique…
Using Luminar 4.3 on Windows 10 and constant crashing, really slow and almost unusable. Have uninstalled and reinstalled, slightly better but still loads of issue. Using a new computer so that’s not the problem. Almost want to give up, don’t waste your money unless they get these bugs sorted.