There are so many routes towards getting there, and making the right decision can be fraught with unexpected costs, disappointing results, and technical roadblocks.
Which is why we are inviting you to be part of our growing and somewhat remote community.
Luminar AI is the ‘brand new’, or rather, evolutionary rendition of previous Luninar versions. It’s ‘brand new’, becuase it has been totally rebuilt form scratch. But this time with AI technology right at the core.
Now, for those of us who are already familiar with Luminar, will know that the app has been established on the idea of simplifying the photo-editing process. So that busy photographers and photo artist can more readily perform ‘edits’ without the tedious, but also unnecessary, steps typically involved.
As a creative photographer, I am sure there is nothing more frustrating than knowing what you want to achieve, but just because you do not know how to create layers, masks, and get those marching ant things to come up on you screen, you can’t make the changes yourself…
Or maybe, you do know how to perform all the above. But wow, it seems like such a long winded process that also distracts from actually being creative.
And it does this all without fully taking away the tools that users already know and use.
However, when you do make use of the AI powered tools, its like magic, you’ll be smitten by the intuitiveness.
Wanna edit just the lips?
Without the hoopla involved with traditional photo-editing, Luminar AI will allow you to focus on specific areas of your photographs and edit, without physically masking items yourself. I said it was kinda like magic! But, let me explain. It’s not that there is no need for masking and the other fiddly bits, it’s just that you don’t have to do it yourself.
More photo editing magic
Anyway, other ‘magical’ features that will have you impressed include, how Luminar AI deals with replacing sky backgrounds. And then, allows you to further enhance the overall look and feel of your image based on the characteristics of the sky you have chosen.
More time to explore
“ The most noticeable thing about the new Luminar AI, compared to conventional photo editors, is the lack of steps required to perform an action… ”
Whilst this is notably true, this not to say that you’ll necessarily spend less time editing your photos. In fact, you’ll just have more time for exploring and being creative. What more can you ask for?
At the time of writing Luminar AI is unavailable to the public. So watch this space for new information, subscribe or discover more unsual content at softwarefolder.design
A round-up of 5 of my favourite Software apps I currently use for; building website pages, creating social media and promotional assets, (CD) record covers and more.
1.WordPress.com / WordPress.org
Well, it goes without saying, WordPress has long been a favourite solution for building both full-blown websites and accompanying custom single page layouts, including landing pages.
Of course, without all the clever plugins available, WordPress may still offer a lot of milage in what you can do. However, it’s the WordPress plugins that really make WordPress such the powerful platform it is known as.
A typical first time encounter with WordPress often leads to the question; What’s the difference between wordpress.com and wordpress.org?
In brief, WordPress.org is the option often chosen by designers, developers and businesses requiring specific website hosting needs, and web server access. This option has been known as Self-hosted.
Meanwhile, WordPress.com is a Managed-hosting solution. Which mostly means that you do not need to worry about all the technical webs server side of things.
2.WordPress Theme & Web Page Builders
Now, this is what really gets me excited, the Website Page Builders. And now there are even theme builders. Which allow you absolute control over how your website pages look.
Of course, there is always the problem of building a website that works across different formats and devices. So maybe some compromise…?
No, not really. There is a WordPress Website Page Builder that will deal with that issue for you. The easiest and most powerful WordPress Website Page Builder to get started with is perhaps Elementor. Which, now also provides full-site-editing capability.
As for exploring an all new Theme Builder, that is currently attracting a fair amount of interest, you’ll need to join the community with a membership account first.
3. Luminar 4
Well, I do bang on a bit regarding Luminar, but that’s only because I find it to be so handy. And it’s really good and achieving satisfying results fast.
However, as I always say, don’t over do it. There is a tendency for both experienced and inexperienced photo-editors to push their photo editing treatments a little too far.
You can even use Luminar 4 as a plugin (or extension) with Adobe Photoshop or Photos for MacOs. So, if you feel Photos for MacOs is a little “Wack” then boost your photo editing artillery with Luminar 4, you’ll be amazed by the results you can achieve in less time than usual.
To get the full skinny on Luminar throughout the years, check out my Photography Editing 101. (Skylum software)
4. Affinity Photo
For me, Affinity Photo is the definitive Photoshop alternative. It allows me to do most of the things I would use Adobe Photoshop for. Although, I have to say that once you’ve used Photoshop anything else is a step backwards.
Fortunately, the compromises aren’t that great for the majority of tasks, and if you are already familiar with Photoshop, you’ll pick-up Affinity Photo pretty fast.
Okay, so to complete the list, I thought perhaps something that will help you pull together all your beautiful art into one place. So you can prepare, manage and ensure that your creative assets are shared and promoted consistently on Social Media and Adverting platforms. Vital for brands…
Now, Easil may remind you of Canva. However, I find that Easil’s approach and direction straight out the gate show an understanding of what creators really want from a Design-it-Yourself solution.
Now, let me make this clear, anyone can build a Famous app. All you need to do is subscribe at softwarefolder.co.uk for details, or use the “let me have a go” and “let me see” button below.
If you subscribe you’ll be added to my list of creators and solopreneurs, and will be amongst the first to know about other updates on creativity related tools and resource.
Design-It-Yourself – Social Media Content Creation Tool
Another useful piece of software you may find interesting, is Easil.
Easil is a new, well intended online content creation software that provides team and individual users access to 1000s of social media templates for creating many of the different social media formats, such as for Facebook ads, Pinterest or Instagram stories.
What’s more, you can upload and selectively share your brand assets, including logo, fonts, colours, images and other graphics and brand elements with your team members.
One of the things I really like about the Photo-editing app, Luminar, is how simple it is to use, both as a standalone app or as a plugin extension. The interface is pretty minimalistic and doesn’t take too long in becoming familiar with.
This is especially useful if, like the majority of creators, you perform most of your editing or retouching tasks using Adobe Photoshop. For me, Luminar is like the digital music mastering tool you might use in order to polish the final production of a track.
London E1.
Providing your Mac is up-to-date and sufficiently endowed, Luminar works fine for most cases. You can learn more at Software Folder.
Presently, I have been using Luminar for Mac OS as a standalone app. And have yet to explore the layers feature. However, with the aid of Affinity Photo or Adobe Photoshop, I think I’d be more inclined to perform most of the more manipulative and tricky tasks in either of these two programs.
What do you use in your photo-editing workflow and for finalising your artwork pieces?
Photo-Artist will just love what you can do with the Luminar 4 app. Easily create photographic styles, or rather, Looks, from your settings. This is a great way of maintaining consistency across a range of photos.
What I really like though, is how you can achieve a near to “illustration” or stylised painterly appearance. And what’s even more beautiful, is how you can save, package, and share your settings as Looks (presets).
There are so many different forms of content besides video. However, it seems that most people think of video when they hear the term “content creator” being used.
brianjonesfrancis 