Photo Editing & Manipulation made EASY! - Luminar AI

Peter McKinnon
22 Dec 202014:22

TLDRIn this sponsored video by Skylum Luminar, Peter McKinnon explores the capabilities of Luminar AI, a photo editing software that utilizes artificial intelligence to simplify the editing process. He tests various features such as sky replacement, composition adjustments, and portrait enhancements, noting the ease of use for beginners and the time-saving benefits for professionals. McKinnon highlights the software's ability to make significant edits with minimal effort, such as changing eye color, removing dark circles, and enhancing details. While acknowledging the potential for over-editing and the software's limitations for advanced users, he appreciates Luminar AI as a valuable tool for quick and efficient photo editing, especially for those new to the field or seeking a streamlined workflow.

Takeaways

  • 🎥 Peter McKinnon introduces Luminar AI as a photo editing software that he has never used before, making the video a first-time user experience.
  • 🔍 The software features AI-based editing tools, such as sky replacement and various templates that provide quick style suggestions for photos.
  • 🖌 Luminar AI is designed to be user-friendly, requiring no prior knowledge of photo editing, which is beneficial for beginners.
  • 🌄 The 'Sky Replacement' feature is highlighted for its ability to change the sky in a photo with ease, using pre-masked assets.
  • 👌 The 'Erase' tool allows for simple removal of unwanted objects or elements from a photo, like erasing a person's head without much hassle.
  • ✨ 'Smart Contrast' and 'Enhance Sky' are among the many sliders that provide more nuanced adjustments beyond simple contrast or saturation changes.
  • 👁 The 'Portrait' section offers AI-driven tools for adjusting facial features, such as slimming the face, changing eye color, and enhancing iris visibility.
  • 📈 The software includes options for quick stylization with presets that can be applied with a slider to control the degree of style applied to a photo.
  • ⚙️ For professionals, Luminar AI can be used as a plugin for Photoshop and Lightroom, integrating its features into existing workflows.
  • 🚀 Peter emphasizes that Luminar AI is a time-saver and a valuable tool for quick edits, even for those with editing experience, without the need for complex techniques.
  • 🛍️ A discount code 'mckinnon15' is provided for those interested in purchasing Luminar AI, showcasing a partnership with the software company.
  • 🔧 While acknowledging the impressive capabilities of Luminar AI, Peter also expresses a healthy concern about the ease with which reality can be manipulated in photos.

Q & A

  • What is the name of the software that Peter McKinnon introduces in the video?

    -The software introduced by Peter McKinnon in the video is called Luminar AI.

  • Why did Peter McKinnon decide to do a sponsored video for a software he had never used before?

    -Peter McKinnon decided to do a sponsored video for Luminar AI because he thought it would be an interesting and fun experiment to experience the software and its AI editing capabilities along with his audience, as if they were doing it for the first time themselves.

  • What feature of Luminar AI is Peter particularly interested in testing?

    -Peter is particularly interested in testing the sky replacement feature of Luminar AI, as it is what everyone is talking about.

  • How does the AI in Luminar AI assist users in editing their photos?

    -The AI in Luminar AI assists users by providing suggestions for how they might want their photos to look, based on the selected features and templates. It also automates tasks such as face editing, eye color changing, and skin retouching, making the editing process more straightforward and accessible to users without prior editing experience.

  • What is the 'Sky Enhancer' tool in Luminar AI used for?

    -The 'Sky Enhancer' tool in Luminar AI is used to make the sky in a photo more saturated, less saturated, more colorful, or to add clarity and adjust curves, depending on the user's preference.

  • How does Peter describe the ease of use of Luminar AI for someone with no prior photo editing experience?

    -Peter describes Luminar AI as very straightforward and easy to use, even for someone with no prior photo editing experience. He emphasizes that there's no need for previous knowledge to perform edits, and the software guides users through the process with simple, intuitive options.

  • What is Peter's opinion on the portrait editing features of Luminar AI?

    -Peter is very impressed with the portrait editing features of Luminar AI. He finds them easy to use and capable of significantly altering a person's appearance with just a few adjustments. However, he also cautions that some features can be dangerous if overused, as they can make photos look unrealistic.

  • How does Luminar AI help with the speed of photo editing?

    -Luminar AI helps with the speed of photo editing by automating many tasks and providing quick stylization options. It reduces the need for complex steps like masking and gradient adjustments, allowing users to achieve their desired results much faster.

  • What does Peter suggest for professionals who are already familiar with other photo editing software?

    -Peter suggests that for professionals who are already familiar with other software, Luminar AI can still be a valuable tool as a time-saver for quick edits or as a plugin for Photoshop and Lightroom, integrating its features into an existing workflow.

  • What is Peter's final verdict on Luminar AI?

    -Peter's final verdict on Luminar AI is positive. He appreciates the ease of use and the time-saving capabilities of the software. He sees it as an additional tool in his creative toolbox that can be beneficial for both beginners and professionals for different reasons.

  • How does Peter feel about the future of photo editing with AI capabilities like those in Luminar AI?

    -Peter is slightly terrified and concerned about the future of photo editing with AI capabilities, as it can make significant changes to photos with no prior experience required. However, he also sees it as impressive and potentially beneficial for speeding up workflows.

Outlines

00:00

🎥 Introduction to Skylum Luminar AI Software

Peter McKinnon introduces the video by welcoming viewers to his channel and mentioning the video is sponsored by Skylum Luminar, a photo editing software he has never used before. He expresses his excitement to explore the AI-powered editing features of the software with his audience, emphasizing the ease of use for beginners and the potential for a fun learning experience. He loads a few photos to test out features like sky replacement and uses various templates and editing options to enhance the images, showcasing the software's intuitive interface and powerful capabilities.

05:01

🖼️ Exploring Advanced Features and Portrait Editing

The second paragraph delves into more advanced features of Skylum Luminar, including the ability to manipulate elements within a photo, such as scaling objects and adjusting the sky. Peter experiments with adding fog, sun rays, and changing the overall atmosphere of the photos with ease. He also explores the portrait editing features, demonstrating how to alter facial features, eye color, and remove imperfections without the need for complex masking techniques. He expresses his amazement at the software's ability to transform a subject's appearance quickly and discusses the ethical considerations of using such powerful editing tools.

10:03

🛠️ Luminar's Role in Photo Editing Workflow

In the final paragraph, Peter reflects on the implications of using Skylum Luminar for photo editing. He considers the software a valuable tool for individuals who want to enhance their photos quickly without extensive knowledge of photo editing. He acknowledges that while the software may seem too basic for professionals, it offers significant time-saving benefits and can be used as a plugin for more advanced software like Photoshop and Lightroom. Peter concludes by sharing his positive experience with Luminar, suggesting that it could be a game-changer for the future of photo editing, and provides a discount code for viewers interested in trying the software.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Luminar AI

Luminar AI is a photo editing software that utilizes artificial intelligence to simplify and enhance the process of photo manipulation. In the video, Peter McKinnon explores Luminar AI's features for the first time, highlighting its user-friendly interface and the ease with which it allows for sophisticated edits without prior photo editing experience.

💡Sky Replacement

Sky replacement is a feature within photo editing software that allows users to change the sky in a photo with another, often more dramatic or aesthetically pleasing sky. Peter McKinnon expresses interest in testing this feature in Luminar AI, as it is a popular and highly-touted capability of the software.

💡Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. In the context of the video, Luminar AI uses AI to analyze photos and suggest editing options, automating complex tasks and making the editing process more accessible to users.

💡Templates

Templates in photo editing software are pre-designed settings or styles that can be applied to a photo for a quick and consistent look. The video demonstrates how Luminar AI offers various templates, such as 'Blockbuster' and 'Big Screen,' which can be selected to automatically enhance a photo with a specific aesthetic.

💡Edit Tab

The Edit Tab is a section within photo editing software where users can access a range of tools for adjusting specific aspects of their photos, such as composition, light, color, and structure. Peter McKinnon navigates through Luminar AI's Edit Tab to explore its various features and capabilities.

💡Erase Tool

The Erase Tool is a feature in photo editing software that allows users to remove or 'erase' parts of an image. In the video, Peter uses the Erase Tool in Luminar AI to demonstrate how easily one can remove unwanted elements from a photo, such as a character's head, with precision and without needing advanced editing skills.

💡Smart Contrast

Smart Contrast is a feature that adjusts the contrast of an image in a way that enhances its overall appearance, including details in the sky and trees. It is more advanced than a simple contrast slider, as it can affect the highlights and shadows to bring out more details. Peter McKinnon discusses how this tool in Luminar AI can make significant improvements to a photo with minimal effort.

💡Accent

The Accent feature in Luminar AI is likened to an advanced clarity slider that affects the overall appearance of a photo, potentially enhancing its structural details. It is used to bring out more definition and sharpness in images, contributing to a more professional and polished look.

💡Portrait Editing

Portrait Editing involves the manipulation of images that feature people, often with the goal of enhancing the subject's appearance. In the video, Peter McKinnon explores the portrait editing features of Luminar AI, which include face slimming, eye color changing, and skin retouching, to demonstrate how the software can quickly and easily improve the quality of portrait photos.

💡AI Presets

AI Presets are pre-configured settings in Luminar AI that apply a specific look or style to a photo using artificial intelligence. These presets, such as 'Influencer' and 'Amazing Lifestyle,' are designed to give users a quick and easy way to stylize their photos without delving into complex editing processes.

💡Workflow Efficiency

Workflow Efficiency refers to the optimization of tasks and processes to reduce time and effort. Peter McKinnon discusses how Luminar AI can increase workflow efficiency for both novice and professional photographers by simplifying complex editing tasks and providing quick solutions for common photo enhancement needs.

Highlights

Peter McKinnon introduces Luminar AI as a photo editing software that is easy to use even for first-time users.

Luminar AI uses artificial intelligence to suggest editing options based on the photo selected.

Sky replacement feature is a standout tool in Luminar AI, allowing users to change the sky in their photos with ease.

Templates like 'Blockbuster' offer quick style options for photos, enhancing them with a cinematic look.

The 'Edit' tab provides a range of adjustments including composition, erase, light, and color without needing prior editing knowledge.

Erase feature allows users to remove unwanted elements from photos with a simple paint-over method.

Smart contrast and enhance sky tools offer sophisticated adjustments that go beyond basic contrast and saturation.

Accent feature acts like a clarity slider, affecting the overall details and structures in a photo.

Remove color cast feature can neutralize unwanted colors, such as the blue on the road in the example.

Detail sharpening allows users to choose what level of detail to enhance, from small to large.

The ability to add elements like mountains or an eagle into a photo with pre-masked assets speeds up the editing process.

Sun rays feature can add a dramatic touch to a landscape photo, with customization options for number and style of rays.

Sky selection tool enables users to select and manipulate specific parts of the sky for targeted adjustments.

Portrait mode in Luminar AI offers AI-driven enhancements like face slimming, eye color changes, and skin retouching.

The software provides quick stylization presets for those who want a fast and easy editing solution.

Professionals can use Luminar AI as a plugin for Photoshop and Lightroom, integrating its features into their existing workflow.

Luminar AI is praised for its ease of use and time-saving capabilities, especially for those new to photo editing.

The software is seen as a valuable addition to a photographer's toolbox, offering new ways to enhance photos quickly.

Peter McKinnon expresses a mix of excitement and concern about the advanced capabilities and ease of use of Luminar AI.