Best photo editing software for beginners 2021 - Why Luminar AI is so good for new photographers!

What is the best photo editing software / app / program for beginners and new photographers in 2021? It's a question I've been asked a lot over the years and in this video I have the answer for you. I'll tell you a bit about some alternative editors that I love and why, as good as they are, there is in fact a better option for the newbies just getting started. And that's Luminar AI.

Lightroom and Photoshop are amazing. I've been using them since their first versions and now after years of learning, there's not a lot I can't do with them. But do you see the problem in that? Years of learning. So I think new photographers need something that fits the following criteria:

1: Is it easy to learn and use?
Absolutely. It doesn’t come much easier than a one-click fix. You can leverage as much or as little AI as you like. From there you can progress to the sliders that can enhance your photos simply by moving the sliders to where you like them.

2: Is it affordable and good value so you're not over-investing
I look at it this way, I’ve spent 10’s of thousands of dollars on camera gear. Now while you may not have spent anywhere near that amount, I imagine you’ve probably invested a reasonable amount in your camera and lenses. So spending around $100 to get the tool to edit the photos is a drop in the ocean in comparison and to me represents exceptional value. You pay once. It’s yours forever.
As I mentioned Adobe moved to a subscription model so you never own but continually pay. So on that note. Luminar for the win.

3: Does it have powerful tools that grow with you as your skillset improves?
Recently I’ve been using Luminar for my high end high paying architect clients, I use it to edit my landscapes and I didn’t even touch on the AI portrait retouching tools that are in the software. So yes, it most definitely has the scope to grow as your skills improve. It basically holds your hand on your photographic journey. Not ready for the complex stuff? Don’t worry, try these templates. Want a bit more control. Cool, Dive into the advanced tools.

4: Is it well supported?
Subscribe to my channel for more free training and demos of how I use Luminar, there are other great instructors on youtube too, and Skylum has upped their customer support game over the last couple of years too.

I hope you find this video useful. It is not a sponsored video. But I do get a small commission when you use the discount code to buy the software. So it's a win-win there. I have a lot of other tutorials and help on this photo editor so please reach out if you need me!

Thanks so much for watching! 🙏 I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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These are affiliate links to the equipment I use - they are not sponsored by the manufacturer in any way. If you use these links it costs you no more than normal, but the small commission I get helps me to keep providing free content for you guys. Thanks for supporting the channel. I really appreciate it. ​​🙏​

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[paulinanelega]

Awww, that was so sweet about you and your daughter and the horses! Budding photographer, she's becoming. You're a great mentor for her!

[hannahmountry]

Anthony I bought Luminar on your recommendation (and with your discount) and I'm so glad I did. I've used your generic template to edit so many of my photos that previously just sat on my computer. Thanks for introducing me to Luminar AI and thanks for another great video! Funny ending btw!

[jasonmccarrick]

as a new photographer i find my self not engaged in photography due to Lightroom so this is changing my mind thank you so much .

[leanev]

The picture you took with your daughter is so sweet, what a proud dad moment that she has an interest in a hobby you can enjoy together. I recently started taking pictures and I love how kind and teaching your voice is!

[felixthecat]

Hi Anthony, you forgot to mention the drawbacks of Luminar AI, so here are 4 reasons why I still prefer Luminar 4: 1. No layers, 2. no Luminosity Mask, 3. can't use plugins, 4. restricted number of brushes makes you over dependant on masking tools. Sorry Anthony, I still prefer Skylum Luminar 4 + plugins from Topaz, etc. For portraits you can't beat PortraitPro studio 21, although Skylum AI does have some quirky eye features like 'cat' and 'owl, .' but how often would you use them? I don't think many would appreciate you giving them cat's or owl's eyes! Cheers! Felix the Cat. 😺

[nathanthournmy]

I really like your usual delivery style as you get quality information out there nice and concisely. But, mate, the fact that you left in that crazy ending, I love it! You must have done your nut when you realised the footage was out of focus!!!! Haha. It's cool to see when you let more of your personality shine through in your videos! Thanks for all of your hard work! Ever thought of setting up a Patreon etc so your viewers can help support you? Free content is great but I'd be happy to shout you a beer / coffee!

[ZeitdiebX]

Best channel. Great guy. I‘m repeating myself.

[markielinhart]

I’m an older film photographer and a Mac user since 1989, but I am new to digital photography - shooting mainly in monochrome. What I need is a programme beyond iPhoto that in itself ain’t bad. Hopefully it’ll be here…✌️

[brucebowen]

are wonderful!!! Thanks for a simple explanation and lesson here in LAI. I will be purchasing this program soon and I LOVE your sense of humor:):):) Thanks. BB

[molnarandrassandor]

got Luminar AI and Neo with a great discount with your code, thanks!

[dcmp]

I personally think you ar underrated...I really like and enjoy you videos about luminar..I am beginner drone photographer...and mainly using Luminar AI. Thanks for your content bro ❤

[Sooner-imqf]

Big thumbs UP. Enjoyed watching this. You have a good speaking voice; don't talk too fast, nor too slow; and share good meaty information. Very professional presentation. Good job.
I'm just a hobbiest and would like to edit many years of vacation and family pics to put in albums, or frame for the wall. Would also like to restore old family photos; some from the 1940's, or earlier. (A couple of them are from around 1920.) Don't know yet if my laptop, or PC can handle it, but I will definitely look into it. Thank you for all the good info.

[patrickturner]

Thumbs up and comment for having to re-shoot and edit all of that! I've only recently discovered your videos and I'm so jealous of you living in NZ!

[welshwarrior]

Loved this. Thanks for sharing. Subscribed.

[KahanisGoldenBytes]

Pure chance, watched a couple of your videos....Thanks to you, I decided to go for it....used your code of to get to watch your Tutorials....Thanks much !

[chrisp]

You are a great teacher and photographer. I learn a lot with you. ✌️

[giah]

Sigh of relief...this made me more confident in choosing a software. Thanks

[felixthecat]

I suppose it's great for beginners. Yes Luminar AI is very easy to use, especially as it analyses your pictures in 3D. Here is my list of software, yes Luminar AI (I have 32 GB of Ram, so no problem there), Luminar 4, and the following used as plugins. Topaz Denoise AI, the best for getting rid of unwanted noise, Topaz Sharpen AI, it not only sharpens your pictures, but can go some way to eliminating camera shake and out of focus photos (but it won't recover those which are badly shaken or focused), Topaz Gigapixel AI, this one can enlarge your photos up to 6 times, very useful for enlarging old film photos (However, it can mess up faces) and JPEGS, Topaz Star Effects (an older piece of software that works in a similar manner to Luminar Sunrays, except of course it gives star effects (you can't get this package anymore, pity), another older one is Topaz Lens Effects, you can introduce bokeh, tilt and shift effects, etc (again Topaz has withdrawn it) . One problem with Luminar AI, is you can't replicate rain, however, you can by using GRFX Studio Pro AI (yes it also uses artificial intelligence), one feature unique to this (but I don't know about Photoshop) is the ability to paint in puddles and splashes to make the rain effect look more convincing. PortraitPro Studio 21, for portraits, by the way, you can also apply 'makeup' with this software, you can't using Luminar. I also have PerfectlyClear V3, which also has some makeup tools, but I seldom use it since acquiring PortraitPro. For HDR looks, well I return to Skylum Aurora HDR 2019, an obvious choice. Some of my imaging software cannot be used as a plug in but I find them useful all the same. I have PaintShop Pro 2021 Ulitmate, which has a great range of editing tools, as well as time saving 'scripts' and a comprehensive range of brushes. Corel AfterShot Pro 3, replaces Lightroom, but with all the free plug-ins you can download, I find it better. I also have ON 1 Effects 2019, useful for LUT effects, quick fixes. Skylum Photolemur 3, for even quicker fixes! (Not perfect though), oh and the trio of Affinity products: Photo, Designer and Publisher, useful when I want to go beyond photo editing. I believe that together, they are better than Adobe Photoshop, without the subscription. Oh I told you I still have an old pre-subscription of Adobe Lightroom, but again I seldom use it, as my old Adobe Photoshop Elements 2012. I hope this has been helpful! What do you think Anthony? Best wishes from... Felix the Cat! 😺

[rodpartington]

Thanks heaps, you present this info so well and make it easy to understand for a newbie like me

[georgea]

Hi there just like to say another excellent vlog. I purchased Luminar 4 a few weeks ago before I found your channel. I have watched lots of your vlogs on it. I am thinking of upgrading to AI but not sure. I am just an ordinary learner photographer who owns a Nikon D7200 and a few lenses. Thank you very much for sharing 👍😀