Skylum News Report News & Deals  ►

You can pre-order Luminar 3 with Libraries for a reduced price along with additional bonuses during this pre-order offer, December 6- 19, 2018. Those who purchase Luminar during this campaign will instantly receive Luminar 2018 + bonuses and then a free upgrade to Luminar 3 with Libraries after its release on December 18.
 
Pricing
 

• New users can purchase Luminar 2018 for US$59 ( US$49 with coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE).
• Current users of Luminar 2018 will be able to update for free .
• Current users of Luminar 2017 can upgrade for US$49 ( US$39 with coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE).
• Current users of a Luminar 2018 trial (those who have downloaded it before November 1) can purchase Luminar 2018 for US$49 ( US$39 with coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE).
• Owners of Skylum legacy products (Creative Kit, Noiseless, Intensify, Tonality, FX Photo Studio, Focus, Snapheal, Filters for Photos) can purchase Luminar for US$49 ( US$39 with coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE).
• Current users of Aurora HDR (2016–2019) can purchase Luminar for US$49 ( US$39 with your coupon code).
• Current users of Photolemur can purchase Luminar for US$49 ( US$39 with coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE

Note that the price after the Luminar 3 with Libraries release will be US$69.
 
Bonuses
 

• ViewBug: 3-Month Pro Membership (US$42 value)
• KelbyOne: 2-Month Pro Membership (US$40 value)
• Rocky Nook: Choice of ANY e-book (US$40 value)
• Daniel Kordan: Awesome Landscapes Tutorial (US$80 value)
• Manfrotto & Gitzo: US$20 Gift card with US$120 purchase (US$20 value)

Preorder: Luminar 3 with Libraries

From Skylum:
 
Skylum releases the free update to Luminar and brings the AI Sky Enhancer designed to add detail and drama to the sky with just one slider.
 
Bellevue, WA – November 1, 2018 — Skylum Software today released the new free update to its award-winning photo editor Luminar and presented the AI Sky Enhancer filter. Developed in the company’s AI Lab, the AI Sky Enhancer adds depth, definition, and detail to the sky almost instantly, with only a swipe of a slider.
 
AI Sky Enhancer is a revolutionary new tool for automatically enhancing skies and making them beautiful without the need for creating masks and layers. This will save photographers an enormous amount of time in post processing while expanding the benefit of achieving dramatic skies to photographers who may lack the skillset needed to create these results.
 
Hundreds of thousands of photos incorporating varying degrees of tonal skies were used to “train” a deep neural network that powers the AI Sky Enhancer filter and allow Luminar to analyze the image and detect (and adjust) only the sky. The result is complete, automated control of the sky, from sunsets, blue skies, partly sunny, storm clouds, or virtually any other sky scene imaginable.
 
“Skylum continues to build Luminar into the most comprehensive photo imaging software available in the marketplace,” explains Alex Tsepko, CEO of Skylum Software . “Our goal is to create a software solution that is effective, innovative and fun while incorporating a value proposition that never requires an annual subscription fee. Our addition of Luminar 3 with Libraries will reset the standard for end-to-end imaging software solutions.”
 
The new AI-powered filter comes ahead of Luminar 3 with Libraries, which will begin its roll-out to Luminar owners on December 18 . Skylum made the unprecedented decision to include every new feature of Luminar – big or small – at no additional cost to customers through 2019. This includes Luminar 3 with Libraries, which will allow photographers to organize, browse, and edit images on-the-fly. And, Luminar customers will never pay an annual subscription fee.
 
New and current users of Luminar will also receive a value-add promotional package including a three-month Pro Membership to ViewBug ($42), two-month Pro Membership to KelbyOne ($40); a choice of any e-book from Rocky Nook ($40), Awesome Landscapes Tutorial from Daniel Kordan ($80), and a $20 gift card toward the purchase of any Manfrotto / Gitzo product valued at $125 or more.
 
Luminar is available to new customers for $59. Current users of other Skylum software titles including Aurora HDR , Photolemur and Skylum legacy products can purchase Luminar for a special price of $49.
 
Note: Use coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE to save $10.00 on your Skylum Luminar purchase.
 
AI Sky Enhancer joins Accent AI and Foliage Enhancer currently available in Luminar, to create a fast and extremely powerful trilogy of single slider solutions for automatic image correction.
 
Other key features and functions available in Luminar include (for Mac and Windows):
 

• NEW Faster opening of RAW-files. You can now open raw files much faster thanks to improvements in our RAW engine.
• NEW DNG Camera Profiles (DCP). Are you looking for truly professional control over your RAW files? Then give DNG Camera Profiles a try. Luminar recognizes the industry standard DCP files that you may already have on your computer (or have bought from third parties).
• IMPROVED Filter Performance. You can now add or subtract filters more quickly to an image.
• IMPROVED LUT Mapping. You can now easily scroll through your LUTs in the LUT Mapping filter.
• IMPROVED Batch Processing. Windows users gain the useful Batch Processing improvements. These include the ability to “Replace or Skip Files” when saving the file with the same name when Batch Processing. Additional options include the ability to create JPEG and TIFF files as well as improved reliability when renaming and numbering files on export.
• NEW Plugin Support. The following third-party plugins can now be used via the Plugins menu: Imagenomic Noiseware 5, Imagenomic Portraiture 3, Imagenomic Realgrain 2, and DxO FilmPack 5.
• IMPROVED Image History. It is now possible to use the “Save History” option when saving a file with the “Windows Compatible” option. Additionally, White Balance presets are now displayed in an image’s history with the preset name when using the RAW Develop and Develop filters.
• IMPROVED Blending Modes. When you choose a blending mode for an Adjustment or Image Layer, the experience is even easier. Just hover your mouse over a blending mode and it updates in real-time. This is an easy way to simply mouse-over the list to find the perfect blending mode.

Skylum's Aurora HDR 2019 is now available for purchase/download. It's $99.00 for first-time users or $59.00 to upgrade (use our coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE to get a $10.00 discount).
 
I installed the software earlier this morning and was really impressed with the results I got with the few HDR batches I loaded for testing. Real estate photographers will especially love the realistic results the software can achieve balancing interior ambient light with the exterior window light.
 
From a processing standpoint, this looks to be a worthwhile upgrade for Aurora 2018 users. My one complaint – Skylum hasn't increased the size of the scroll bars. They're ridiculously thin and hard to click (same as they were in the 2018 version of the software), making the scroll bars practically useless. Thankfully, using a mouse scroll wheel mimics the scroll bars' functionality. [Sean]

From Skylum:
 
We made some important decisions this week concerning Luminar, and we think you’ll like them.
 
We’re always working hard to take our products to new heights, but this last year has been special. We’ve been intensely working on new tools that will elevate Luminar from a supercharged photo editor to THE home for editing, organizing and enjoying your images. It’s been a long time coming, but it will completely change the way everyone uses Luminar. I’d like to give a preview of the big things that are coming… Starting with Luminar Libraries in December, we've got a series of huge updates coming over the next year. A much anticipated addition to Luminar, Libraries will allow photographers to organize, browse and edit images the fly. Libraries will be powerful right out of the gate, but it represents the first of many photo organization and management updates launching over the following months.
 
From Libraries to other killer features, these updates are so powerful, that we want them in the hands of as many photographers as possible. To this end, we're going to do something unprecedented. Through late 2019 (at least), we're making every new feature available to all Luminar 2018 users - at no cost! While software companies typically roll out paid updates every year, there will be no paid updates for Luminar until late 2019 at the earliest. From Libraries to innovative new editing tools, every monumental advance and every new feature will be provided as free updates for Luminar 2018 users. This is a reflection of how much we value our customers, and how confident we are in the incredible value of the features we've got coming! With so much on the horizon, communication is key! Check the blog regularly for updates on all the exciting upcoming features. We look forward to your feedback and support. Thanks for taking this journey with us!
 
Luminar with Libraries.
 
As mentioned last week, the new version will be released later this year. Anyone who owns Luminar will get the new update for free in December, if not earlier. This new version is now in a closed beta testing, and the feedback we have been getting so far has been overwhelming.
 
The first version of Libraries in Luminar is all about these main points: performance, comfort, and a complete user experience. This means the new version will give you speed to browse & organize images without the extra wait time. This means that you’ll enjoy your photos moments after you start the software.
 
Here’s a short speed test I did last week. Take a look and stay tuned for more videos, webinars, posts and live sessions about other features.
 

Most importantly, with the new version of Luminar, you’ll be able to conveniently group photos into albums, rate pictures, sync edits between hundreds of images, and do more without the need to check back a manual every time.
 
We spent years, studying the needs, workflows, and preferences of different photographers. So in the new Luminar, you get a truly great viewing/browsing experience that draws you in and helps you enjoy and organize your photos without extra distractions.
 
And since Luminar is already packed with dozens of innovative tools to edit, enhance, and share photos, you will soon get the most comprehensive and well-rounded photography experience available in a piece of software.
 
No paid upgrade. You will get all the great stuff for free.
 
Alongside the new Libraries feature, we also poured a lot of hard work, time & research to bring you new editing tools for portraits, landscapes, aerial and other genres of photography; new features powered by Artificial Intelligence, new looks and styles, and more.
 
We have initially planned to release those features in Luminar 2019, as a paid upgrade, just like we usually do. However, this week, we made a decision to forgo any paid upgrades at least until the end of 2019, and add those features to Luminar 2018 for free.
 
We will incorporate the new tools and features in the latest version of Luminar instead of asking you to pay for the upgrade. Expect first updates as soon as this year. And throughout the next year we will be frequently rolling out more free updates to make Luminar Libraries, and its Editing & Sharing tools faster, better and more powerful for you.
 
A new price for a limited time.
 
Skylum's software are priced so that everyone can afford them and designed so that everyone can easily use them. We do this because everyone takes photos, not just experienced and pro photographers. We do this because photos are more than just the captions they come with.
 
We believe that every single person deserves to make his/her photos look their best without the extra hassle and without having to study and master all those photo editing tips the pros use.
 
So for a limited time, Luminar will be available for just $59 for new users who have yet to purchase the software. For this price, you’ll get the current version of the software, the free update to the new version that boasts Libraries, and free updates for the new features we initially developed for Luminar 2019.
 
No subscriptions. No upgrade fees. No extra charges.

From Skylum:
 
About Skylum Aurora HDR 2019:
 
Skylum’s Quantum HDR Engine harnesses the power of AI for a more streamlined editing experience than ever before. It reduces burned-out colors, loss of contrast, noise and unnatural lighting caused by halos and unstable deghosting.
 
The Quantum HDR Engine has taken three years to create within Skylum’s AI lab, and contains the vast knowledge of the development team paired with artificial intelligence to bring you seamless HDR editing, be it with a single image or multiple bracketed shots.
 
Skylum’s developers tested thousands of bracketed shots through a neural network, and used the results to develop the technology needed for creating incredible HDR photographs - whether it’s real estate, landscape, cityscape or any other type of HDR photography.
 
Here are the most essential changes:
 

• New Quantum HDR Engine
• LUTs support with 11 New Integrated LUTs
• Photoshop plugins support
• New HDR Smart Structure filter for realistic and artefact-free structure (can be found in the new HDR Enhance filter)
• Presets are now called ‘Aurora HDR Looks’
• Improved Adjustable Gradient filter with new sliders for Shadows and Highlights added
• Improved HDR Details Boost Effect ( the photo is shown in high-resolution while fine-tuning the filter)

Aurora HDR 2019 is available for pre-order now and will be released on October, 4.
 
Pre-Order Pricing:
 

• Current users may upgrade at a price of $49 USD ($59 USD MSRP)
• New users can purchase Aurora HDR 2019 at a price of $89 USD ($99 MSRP)

Pre-Order Bonuses:
 

• Video Tutorial: Getting the Most from Aurora HDR 2019 by Trey Ratcliff
• Landscape Photography Handbook by David Johnston
• Burning Moods LUTs by Richard Harrington
• Exclusive interior Aurora Looks by Richard Harrington
• 3-month 500px Pro membership
• $300 USD OFF a multi-day Iceland Photo Tours

Preorder: Skylum Aurora HDR 2019

From Skylum:
 
Bellevue, WA – September 6, 2018 — Photolemur, a leader in AI technology in the photography industry and a winner of the 2018 Red Dot Award for High Design Quality, has released pre-order details for the latest product launch: Photolemur 3 With Photolemur, Skylum has taken the concept of photo enhancement back down to Earth, bringing the complex process of photo editing to the hands of mass consumers all over the world. The software has been developed with regular folks in mind, camera users who might not have the time for or a good grasp of editing, from amateur and beginner photographers to moms, bloggers, and occasional shooters.
 
Designed as an intelligent automated photo assistant that enhances images in the same way a professional photographer would, but much quicker than any standard editing software, Photolemur only requires its users to drag and drop an image. It takes care of the rest by automatically making pro-level enhancements and adjustments to the image within minutes. Photolemur uses 14 different AI technologies to think for itself, analyzing what aspects of a photo need to be tweaked to bring the image to its best. It saves its users from going through the long editing process or relying on unintelligent filters that aren’t exactly tailor-made for that particular image. The software is proving to be a gamechanger in the photography space, allowing everyone from basic social media users and amateur bloggers to the more seasoned pros to create the perfect photo. Photolemur is transforming the photography industry, benefitting both casual photographers and professionals, reducing an hour of complex photo editing to mere minutes.
 
At the heart of Photolemur is a smart engine with powerful technology that has analyzed millions of photos to find editing patterns. It enhances each photo accordingly based on those patterns. It utilizes similar technology used in manual editing software, from color recovery and noise reduction to auto color temperature and exposure compensation. Both pro photographers and casual shooters can trust its AI technology to recognize the differences in objects and make smart decisions when choosing the correct adjustments.
 
The software also allows users to batch enhance up to 200 photos at a time, making it a real time saver for users who don’t have a lot of hours to invest in photo editing. With this new update, Photolemur now fixes skin imperfections, whitens teeth, smoothes skin and hair, and sharpens and widens eyes, making it an ideal tool for casual photographers and social media enthusiasts.
 
By simplifying the editing process, seamlessly creating pro-level adjustments to any photo without any effort from its users, Photolemur is sweeping not only the photography community, but also the mass market. Photolemur is ahead of the trends in the photography industry, using its intuitive AI technology to make photo editing more accessible and to bring photography back to where it matters most, the millions of camera shooters who use it to capture memories and record important moments in their lives.
 
Photolemur 3 includes several updates across the software, from technology to user interface.
 

• Automatic face enhancement with skin retouch and teeth whitening. This feature detects and clears skin imperfections as well as whitens teeth for a more glowing portrait.
• Smart eyes enlarge. This feature analyzes your subjects’ eyes and makes eye enlargements accordingly.
• Adding styles to photos. Six new, crazily creative styles are now available to really get the look you want.
• New menu for opacity settings
• Quick access menu for face enhancement, lens correction, and eyes enlarge
• Apply settings from one image to all images in a batch, maximum 200 images
• SmugMug export for Mac

Until September 13 Photolemur 3 is available at a special pre-order price for $49 for a family license (5 activations) with a collection of bonuses. The product will be released on 14 September 2018.
 
Photolemur 3.0 Regular Pricing (starting on September 14):
 

• Current users may upgrade at a price of $19
• New users can purchase Photolemur 3.0 Family at a price of $59
• New users can purchase Photolemur 3.0 Single at a price of $39

Preorder: Photolemur 3

From Skylum:
 
The 1.3.0 update includes numerous features enhancements and bug fixes for the Windows and Mac versions.
 
Mac New & Improved Features:
 

• IMPROVED Raw Develop. The Raw Develop filter has improved handling of the Lens and Transform effects. Effects are not shown on the left side (Before) when using the Compare option. The effects are also not blended with original when using the Filters Amount slider.
• IMPROVED Sharpening. The Sharpening filter is more responsive and accurate. As you adjust the controls all changes are visible in high resolution with real-time feedback.
• IMPROVED Batch Processing. You can now export to several file formats including new options for PDF and JPEG-2000.
• IMPROVED LUT Mapping. You can now easily scroll through your LUTs in the LUT Mapping filter. Just hover your mouse over a LUT and it updates in real-time.
• IMPROVED Language Support. Luminar offers eight Improved localizations: Chinese, Chinese Simplified, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish.
• IMPROVED Image History. It is now possible to use the “Save History” option when saving a file with the “Windows Compatible” option. Additionally, White Balance presets are now displayed in an image’s history with the preset name when using the RAW Develop and Develop filters.
• NEW Plugin Support. The following third-party plugins can now be used via the Plugins menu: Imagenomic Noiseware 5, Imagenomic Portraiture 3, Imagenomic Realgrain 2, and DxO FilmPack 5.
• IMPROVED Filter Controls. To save you time, all filter checkboxes can be enabled or disabled by clicking on the control name or the checkbox. Additionally, be sure to try scrubbable number sliders. Just mouse over the value for a filter and then click and drag left or right to move the slider.
• IMPROVED JPEG Controls. Take precise control over JPEG and JPEG-2000 compression. You can see a numeric value for the Quality slider. You can also click on the number and enter a precise value.

Windows New & Improved Features:
 

• NEW Faster opening of RAW-files. You can now open raw files much faster thanks to improvements in our RAW engine.
• NEW White Balance Tool. A new White Balance functionality and eyedropper tool have been added to the Raw Develop, Develop, and Color Temperature filters.
• NEW Image History. It is now possible to use the “Save History” option when saving a file. Additionally, White Balance presets are now displayed in an image’s history with the preset name when using the RAW Develop, Develop and Color Temperature filters.
• NEW Layer Renaming. For all new layers, you add to a document (except for the original image) you can choose to assign a custom name. Just double-click on a layer’s name to edit it. This is a great way to organize adjustment and image overlay layers in your project.
• IMPROVED Filter Performance. You can now add or subtract filters more quickly to an image.
• IMPROVED Blending Modes. When you choose a blending mode for an Adjustment or Image Layer, the experience is even easier. Just hover your mouse over a blending mode and it updates in real-time. This is an easy way to simply mouse-over the list to find the perfect blending mode.
• IMPROVED LUT Mapping. You can now easily scroll through your LUTs in the LUT Mapping filter.
• IMPROVED Language Support. Luminar offers seven improved localizations: Chinese, Chinese Simplified, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish.
• NEW Canvas Color. You can now set the Canvas background color to White. Choose View > Background > White to set the working Canvas to White or choose from other shades of gray or black.
• IMPROVED Sharpening. The Sharpening filter is more responsive and accurate. As you adjust the controls all changes are visible in high resolution with real-time feedback.
• NEW DNG Camera Profiles (DCP). Are you looking for truly professional control over your raw files? Then give DNG Camera Profiles a try. Luminar recognizes the industry standard DCP files that you may already have on your computer (or have bought from third parties).
• IMPROVED Batch Processing. Windows users gain the useful Batch Processing improvements. These include the ability to “Replace or Skip Files” when saving the file with the same name when Batch Processing. Additional options include the ability to create JPEG and TIFF files as well as improved reliability when renaming and numbering files on export.

Note: Use coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE to save $10.00 on your Skylum Luminar purchase.
 
Download: Skylum Luminar v.1.3.0

From Skylum:
 
Aurora HDR 2018 now up to 2x and 4x faster on MacOS and Windows computers, respectively, and compatible with the brand-new Loupedeck+ photo editing console
 
Skylum Software has released the latest update to its award-winning photo editing software, Aurora HDR, bringing improved performance, new features, and updated tools to both MacOS and Windows versions.
 
What's New and Improved in Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0:
 
Here are the most essential changes:
 

• Speed boost for editing and adjusting. We’ve dramatically increased performance across all areas of Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0 on Windows and Mac.
• Fast single-file opening. With an improved image processing engine, Aurora HDR is now much faster when opening single files.
• Loupedeck integration (for Mac & Windows). Now, users can quickly process photos in Aurora HDR using physical dials, knobs, and keys.
• Batch processing (for Windows). Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0 will allow Windows users to edit a large number of photos simultaneously.
• Better memory management. Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0 is also optimized to make better use of memory, with more intelligent memory management and improved stability.
• Windows version catches up to Mac version. Windows users will receive a flip/rotate tool, bringing Aurora HDR for Windows more in line with its macOS counterpart.
• Aurora HDR now supports more cameras than before. The full list across both Windows and MacOS includes: Canon EOS 3000D / Rebel T100 / 4000D, FujiFilm X-H1, FujiFilm X-A20, FujiFilm X-A5, FujiFilm X-E3, Olympus E-PL9, Panasonic DC-GF10 / Panasonic DC-GF90, Panasonic DC-GX9 / DC-GX7MK3, Panasonic DC-TZ200 / DC-ZS200 / DC-TZ202 / DC-TZ220 / DC-ZS220 / DC-TX2, PhaseOne IQ3 100MP Trichromatic, Sony A7 III.

Here’s a full list of the new features and improvements:
 
MAC:
 

• Performance boost when editing and opening single files
• Faster export
• Loupedeck integration
• Better brackets sorting during Batch processing
• Better memory management
• Plugin stability improved
• New camera support
• Better export performance
• Fixed brush drawing
• Improved opening of .DNG image

WINDOWS:
 

• Performance boost when editing and adjusting
• Faster export
• Better stability and memory management
• Batch processing added
• Added layers menu and layer options menu
• Ability to rename layers
• UX improvements
• Quick loading of single RAW files
• Hover on blends
• Added white balance color picker
• Localisation fixes
• Changed order of preset categories
• UI fixes and improvements
• Added histogram to tone curve filter
• Improved stability of Dodge & Burn filter
• Added context menu in the filters menu
• New camera support
• Better Windows document support
• Added flip/rotate
• Exif saving to document fixed
• Loupedeck integration
• Improved opening of .DNG image

Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0 Offer Information:
 
Current users of Aurora HDR may upgrade for $59 ($49 with coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE).
New users can purchase Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0 for $99 ($89 with coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE).
 
Bonuses included in the offer:
 

• 119 Dramatic & Romantic Sky overlays ($29 value) – The ultimate collection of 119 dramatic high-res sky overlays to turn photos with boring skies into eye-catching works of art.
• Complete HDR Tutorial by Trey Ratcliff ($99 value) – This entirely new HDR tutorial is perfect for beginners to mega-advanced professionals who want to see all of the latest post-processing techniques. Lisa and Trey discuss their artistic inspirations and challenges, how they compose a shot, their camera settings, and much more. You’re then transported back to Trey’s studio where he slowly takes you step-by-step through his latest techniques.
• Deep Dive into Aurora HDR 2018 video by Trey Ratcliff ($20 value) – Trey Ratcliff, the most famous HDR photographer, shares his editing process in the new Aurora HDR 2018.

Download: Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0

From Skylum (developers of Aurora HDR 2018 and Luminar 2018):
 
Skylum also hires Alex Savsunenko, former CEO of Let’s Enhance, to lead AI-based photo technologies to the next level.
 
May 22, 2018 — Bellevue, WA — Today, Skylum Software announced the formation of a new research and development division dedicated to the advancement of artificial intelligence technologies in image processing. The Skylum AI Lab leverages the company’s prior work developing smart filters in its award-winning Luminar software, as well as technology from its “sister company” Photolemur, which was founded in 2016 by Dima Sytnik and Alex Tsepko, co-founder and CEO of Skylum respectively.
 
“Clearly, AI can simplify our lives. By using AI-based technologies in our products, our customers save time vs. manual editing, and can often get better results,” said Alex Tsepko, CEO at Skylum. “Our neural networks are being trained on millions of images taken by cameras from Fujifilm, Sony, Olympus, Nikon, Canon and many others, which means outstanding results for all photographers, regardless of what style they shoot and what gear they are using.” To spearhead the new Skylum AI Lab, the company has hired Alex Savsunenko, former CEO of Let’s Enhance, a leader in machine learning for visual content. Savsunenko will manage all research and development for technologies based on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and neural networks. Promising results will ultimately be implemented in Skylum products and solutions for image and video enhancement, with the aim to help users make their workflow faster, smarter and more efficient.
 
Currently, the Skylum AI Lab is testing over a dozen new solutions, including:
 

• Image upscaling: uses deep convolutional neural networks to improve low-resolution images and scale them up for superior viewing and printing.
• Tagging: generates tags that describe the image and its objects based on image recognition.
• Segmentation: smart recognition of image areas that can be automatically enhanced using different filters and corrections based on the type of object.
• Automatic enhancement: applies smart image corrections to photos based on a variety of issues

To further reinforce its AI prowess, Skylum has also joined forces with Photolemur, creator of the world's first fully automatic photo enhancement solution. Photolemur app has been sold for several years, with hundreds of thousands of customers worldwide. It enhances images utilizing artificial intelligence without the need to use any manual controls. Development will continue on Photolemur, with the next evolution of the app likely to be a cloud solution that helps high-volume users enhance images as batch process.

From Skylum:
 
This update features over 300 improvements and updates that make the app faster, more responsive and useful than ever.
 
The most essential features of the update are:
 

• Speed (Performance & adjustments): We’ve dramatically increased the speed of editing across all areas of Luminar 2018.
• Automatic Lens Correction: Our RAW Develop filter analyzes your image and the metadata to calculate a one click Automatic Lens Distortion fix.
• Enhanced image quality on image view: Most of the demosaic and green equilibration issues have been fixed.
• DCP Profiles Support (for the Mac version only. Coming to Windows soon): Luminar 2018 recognizes the industry standard DCP files that you may already have on your computer (or have bought from third parties).
• Import speed (for the Mac version only. Coming to Windows soon): re-engineered RAW import, optimized for speed.
• Windows version catches up with Mac: Added Batch processing feature, Free Transform image feature, Flip/Rotate image feature to the Windows version.

Here is a full list of the new features and improvements:
 
MAC:
 

• Fast RAW opening
• Super fast image editing and adjusting
• Faster image export
• DCP Profiles support
• Automatic Lens Correction (fix Lens Distortion, remove Chromatic Aberration and Defringe)
• Enhanced image quality on image view - most of the demosaic and green equilibration issues have been fixed
• Big number of stability fixes
• UI and UX improvements
• Localizations updated (German, Japanese, Chinese & more)

WINDOWS
 

• Super fast image editing and adjusting
• Faster image export
• Batch processing feature
• Free transform image feature
• Flip/Rotate image feature
• Automatic Lens Correction (fix Lens Distortion, remove Chromatic Aberration and Defringe)
• Big number of stability fixes
• UI and UX improvements
• Localisations updated
• Added ability to change localisation language in the application main menu
• Fixes with color profiles on export/in plugin mode
• Preview mode feature added (F hotkey)
• Enhanced image quality on image view - fixed most of demosaic and green equilibration

LUMINAR 2018 JUPITER OFFER INFORMATION:
 

• Current users of Luminar may upgrade for $49 ($39 with "THEDIGITALPICTURE" coupon code)
• New users can purchase Luminar 2018 for $69 ($59 with "THEDIGITALPICTURE" coupon code)

Bonuses included in the offer:
 

• The Complete Landscape Photography Guide ebook from Photzy (worth $50) - An outstanding guide written by professional photographer and writer Kent DuFault. This ebook has something for everyone, with 237 pages packed full of information and assignments that will transform your landscape photography.
• Aerial Photography & Video with Matt Granger (worth $79) - World-renowned photographer, Matt Granger will share planning, shooting and editing aerial stills and video. Matt will also demonstrate editing with Luminar 2018 on his still aerial images..
• Photography Tutorial by Daniel Kordan (worth $29) - Extensive tutorial with a full workflow demonstration by expert landscape photographer Daniel Kordan. This tutorial includes shooting and post-processing images in Luminar 2018.
• 119 Dramatic & Romantic Sky overlays (worth $29) - This is an amazing addition to your photo editing workflow, and will help give boring skies that ‘wow!’ factor.
• Splitsville Presets By Brian Matiash (worth $15) - Add a professional polish to your images with these cool presets.

Download Trial: Skylum Luminar 2018

In October 2017, Macphun announced that it would be changing its name to Skylum. Four months later, the name change is officially complete.
 
To celebrate the finalization of its name change, Skylum is offering special discounts on Luminar 2018 and Aurora HDR 2018 through February 26 when you use our special promo code, THEDIGITALPICTURE.
 
Luminar 2018
 

• Current users of Luminar may upgrade for $39 with coupon code
• New users can purchase Luminar 2018 for $59 with coupon code
• A collection of bonuses will also be included with every purchase

Bonuses:
 

• 2 E-books from Andrew Gibson: "The Creative Photographer" and "Mastering Exposure"
• Ultra Violet LUTs by Richard Harrington
• Ultra Violet Preset Pack by Richard Harrington
• Futuristic Preset Pack

Aurora HDR 2018
 

• Current users of Aurora HDR may upgrade for $49 with coupon code
• New users can purchase Aurora HDR 2018 for $89 with coupon code
• A collection of bonuses will also be included with every purchase

Bonuses:
 

• "Accelerate Your Photography" Ebook by Anne McKinnell
• Deep dive Video Tutorial from Trey Ratcliff
• Warm & Beautiful Preset Pack

Download Trials:
 
Skylum Luminar 2018
Skylum Aurora HDR 2018

From Skylum:
 
Aurora HDR 2018 1.1.3 version for Windows:
 

• Improved sliders: You can now directly enter values into a slider with the keyboard.
• Improved presets: Applying multiple presets is now handled correctly.
• Cropping improvements: The cropped state of an image is now correctly captured in the native Aurora HDR file.

Aurora HDR 2018 1.1.3 version for MAC:
 

• Batch process faster: We’ve fine-tuned our bracket-detecting algorithm to speed up batch processing.
• Align brackets better: We’ve updated our alignment algorithm to improve hand-held HDR photography.
• Adobe plug-in improvements: The plugins for Adobe products have been performance tuned.
• Improved cross-platform files: We’ve fixed issue with cropped photos created on Windows.
• Improved user experience: We’ve refined the software to make it easier to use based on user feedback and testing.

The update 1.1.3 is completely free to all Aurora HDR 2018 users. Just launch the app in order to get it.
 
Purchase Link: Aurora HDR 2018

From Skylum:
 
Luminar 2018 1.1.1 version for Windows:
 

• Added support for the following languages:
• English
• German
• Spanish
• French
• Portugal
• Chinese
• Korean
• Russian
• Japanese
• Added shift + scroll hotkey for brush size adjustment
• Curves filter improved
• Merge layers feature released
• Saving cropped image to document issue fixed
• Fixed several issues with Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom plugins usage
• Sidebar UX improvements

Luminar 2018 version 1.1.1 for MAC:
 

• Fixed issues with Photos Extension
• RAW Develop support improved, added Leica Monochrome .DNG , HEIC formats, fixed support for Hasselblad and several other cameras.
• Fixed several issues with Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom plugins usage
• Fixed issue with Dodge & Burn mask from documents created on Windows

The update is completely free to all Luminar 2018 users, and here is the instruction how to get it:
 
On Mac: Please, launch Luminar 2018, on the Top Menu Bar choose Luminar 2018 > Check for updates.
On Windows: Please, launch Luminar 2018, on the Top Toolbar choose Help > Check for updates.
 
Purchase Link: Luminar 2018

Both Luminar 2018 and Aurora HDR 2018 received updates recently that checked off some items on my personal wish lists, including native file saving (for Windows) and 16-bit TIFF exports. [Sean]
 
From Skylum/Macphun:
 
Luminar 2018 v.1.1.0
 
This free update brings the following new and improved features to improve your Luminar editing experience:
 
WINDOWS USERS
 

• Work faster. Luminar can now launch more quickly. Plus you’ll see a faster-editing performance and better RAM usage.
• Save Native files. Be sure to save your editing projects in the new native Luminar format. This makes it easy to come back and edit later.
• Clone & Stamp released. Remove objects and blemishes with ease!
• LUT Mapping. Any LUT you’ve chosen can now be stored to a preset with no need to link to the original .cube file.
• More export control. You can choose to export to the Adobe RGB wide color profile or the ProPhoto RGB color space on export. You can also sharpen an exported file which is great for printing.
• Better masking controls. Users can adjust both the feather and density controls on a mask to refine the blending of layers. When editing a mask, a user can also press the X hotkey to toggle between Paint/Erase brush mode.
• More editing control. Now even more raw formats can be edited natively with our RAW Develop filter. All filters also support advanced blending mode options as well.

MAC USERS
 

• Work faster. We’ve improved compatibility with OS X 10.10, 10.11 support. The Histogram also updates in real-time. Users will also enjoy Performance and RAM usage improvements. When editing press Cmd+L to quickly access the Filters list as well.
• RAW image improvements. Luminar does a better job of detecting noise in a raw file and automatically fixing it when you open to a photo. DNG file support is also improved for easier editing. Plus even more raw formats can be edited natively with our RAW Develop filter.
• Improved workflow with other applications. We’ve addressed several small bugs reported when working with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Lightroom, and Photos for Mac.
• Better batch processing. A streamlined user interface makes batch processing even easier to fix multiple photos at once. Additional improvements also made to address user-reported issues.
• Improved Native files. Save your editing projects in the native Luminar format which makes it easy to come back and edit in the future. Plus files can be shared between Mac and Windows users.
• LUT Mapping. Any LUT you’ve chosen can now be stored to a preset with no need to link to the original .cube file.
• More plugin support. Luminar can also use Topaz plugins within the Luminar editing workflow.
• Improved exports. Photos can now be exported to SmugMug for online sharing. The Sharpen on Export filter is also improved for crisper images.
• Better masking controls. Users can adjust the density controls on a mask to refine the blending of layers. When editing a mask, a user can also press the Backspace hotkey to reset gradient/radial mask drawing.

New Cameras Added
 
How to Update
 

• Mac – Please, launch Luminar 2018, on the Top Menu Bar choose Luminar 2018 > Check for updates.
• Windows – Please, launch Luminar 2018, on the Top Tool Bar choose Help > Check for updates.

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Aurora HDR 2018 1.1.2
 
This free update brings the following new and improved features to improve your Aurora HDR editing experience:
 
WINDOWS USERS
 

• RAW image improvements. Aurora HDR does a better job of detecting noise in a raw file and automatically fixing it when you open a photo. DNG file support is also improved for easier editing.
• Save Native files. Be sure to save your editing projects in the native Aurora HDR format. This makes it easy to come back and make edits. Plus files can be shared between Mac and Windows users.
• More export control. You can choose to export to the Adobe RGB wide color profile or the ProPhoto RGB color space on export. You can also sharpen an exported file which is great for printing. Plus even more file formats are supported including JPEG 2000, PSD, PDF. Creating TIFF files? You can control file compression, bit depth, and resolution on export too.
• Delete presets. You can now delete preset packs if you want to remove a set from your collection.

MAC USERS
 

• Improved Native files. Save your editing projects in the native Aurora HDR format which makes it easy to come back and edit in the future. Check the Windows compatibility option so files can be shared between Mac and Windows users.
• Improved workflow with other applications. We’ve addressed several small bugs reported when working with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom.
• Work faster. We’ve improved compatibility with OS X 10.10, 10.11 support. The Histogram also updates in real-time. Users will also enjoy Performance and RAM usage improvements. When editing press Cmd+L to quickly access the Filters list as well.
• Import old Aurora HDR presets. You can now import presets from previous versions of Aurora HDR.

New Cameras Added
 
How to Update
 
The update is completely free to all Aurora HDR 2018 users, just launch the application to get it.
 

• Mac – Please choose Aurora HDR 2018 > Check for updates.
• Windows – Please choose Help > Check for updates.

Purchase Links:
 

• Luminar 2018
• Aurora HDR 2018

From Macphun/Skylum: Today, Apple named Aurora HDR 2018 as their Best Mac App of 2017. This is a big honor for all of the team and we’re very grateful to cap off a year of hard work this way. At the same time, we will continue to work hard to achieve our bigger goal of ensuring Aurora HDR is the industry standard for HDR photography
 
To celebrate this milestone, and help even more people access this great photography tool, Aurora HDR 2018 — both Mac & Windows — will be available for the rest of December at $20 OFF with a pack of special bonuses included. Read below for the detailed information about the offer.
 
Pricing:
 

• Current users of Aurora HDR may upgrade at a Special price of $39
• New users can purchase Aurora HDR 2018 for $79
• A collection of bonuses will also be included with every purchase.

Bonuses:
 

• Deep Dive video tutorial from Trey Ratcliff
• “How to create realistic HDR images” Ebook
• 2 Preset Packs - 40 presets! Preset pack 1 - Winter Vibes. Preset Pack 2 - Wonderland.

Download / Purchase: Aurora HDR 2018