by successfulbob | photography creativity, photography software
MacPhun is Skylum
In a nod to no longer being a Mac only product, MacPhun has officially changed its name to Skylum. This software for processing photographic images is being produced by some of the engineers who initially put together the popular NIK filters. I’ll detail some deals below. As an affiliate, I can offer you an extra $10 off any of the deals you see below by adding the name COATES to your order as a coupon code.
The programs can be used as stand alone applications or, as I often do, use them as a plug-in for additional processing power in Adobe Photoshop.
LUMINAR 2018
Luminar 2018 Trial page – Try it out
Luminar 2018 Facts and Features information can be downloaded here.
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Already have Luminar? Upgrade for $49 ($39 with my coupon code)
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New users can purchase Luminar 2018 for $69 ($59 with my coupon code)
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A collection of bonuses will also be included with every purchase.
Bonuses:
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2 E-books from Andrew Gibson: “The Creative Photographer” and “Mastering Exposure”
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Ultra Violet LUTs by Richard Harrington
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Ultra Violet Preset Pack by Richard Harrington
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“Accelerate Your Photography” Ebook by Anne McKinnell
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In-depth Video Tutorial from Trey Ratcliff
• Warm & Beautiful Preset Pack (15 presets)
• Futuristic Preset Pack
AURORA HDR 2018
Aurora HDR 2018 Trial Page – Give it a whirl
Available through February 26
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Current users of Aurora HDR may upgrade for $59 ($49 with my coupon code)
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New users can purchase Aurora HDR 2018 for $99 ($89 with my coupon code)
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A collection of bonuses will also be included with every purchase.
Bonuses:
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“Accelerate Your Photography” Ebook by Anne McKinnell
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Deep dive Video Tutorial from Trey Ratcliff
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Warm & Beautiful Preset Pack (15 presets)
- PS – Remember to add COATES to your coupon code to get an additional $10 off
by successfulbob | cloud photography, landscape photography, photography creativity, photography software
Software from Skylum (formerly MacPhun)
Until December 31st some deals are going on with the number one software program for photographers. I’ll hit you with the details below. I will often use Luminar as a plug-in to Photoshop for finishing work. Here’s an image I processed in the Luminar standalone version.
The things that impress me include the ability to pull detail out of a file that is very close to a silhouette. Color rendering. And the ability to make some artistic choices along the way. I would never have thought when I grabbed the silhouette that I could create an image as you see below.
Here’s a processed file from Luminar. Palm trees in Phoenix.
Straight out of camera file. (SOOC)
About Luminar: Luminar 2018 offers everything a modern photographer needs for photo editing, including new filters powered by artificial intelligence, major speed improvements, a dedicated RAW develop module and a forthcoming in 2018; digital asset management platform.
Users will also benefit from the new intelligent Sun Rays filter, LUT support, and real-time noise removal. With workspaces that match different styles of editing, Luminar adapts to deliver a complete experience that avoids clutter and complexity.
Luminar 2018 has been re-built from the ground up for dramatic performance boosts. Existing filters deliver more vibrant colors and depth in less time. A brand new streamlined user interface speeds up working with presets, filters, and masks. With the full support of pro options like layers, masks, and blending modes, complex repairs and photo composites can be easily accomplished.
Offer Availability: The Luminar 2018 Holiday offer is now live and available until December 31
Pricing: Current users of Luminar may upgrade at a Black Friday price of $49 ($39 with coupon COATES)
New users can purchase Luminar 2018 for $69 ($59 with coupon code COATES)
A collection of bonuses will also be included with every purchase.
Bonuses:
The Shootkit ebook
Preset pack: 20 Festive Texture Presets
500+ Sky overlays for Sky replacement
Video tutorial “How to replace Sky in Luminar.”
EXTRA Bonus
“Capture: Adventures in Photography” ebook by Simon & Lisa Thomas, the world’s foremost adventure motorcyclists
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | HDR photography, landscape photography, photography software
Software from MacPhun (now Skylum)
The holidays are fabulous as software companies roll out deals for Christmas and the holiday season. I have been playing the software from MacPhun for a while. It was only MAC-based, and they have now made the software available for Windows PCs as well. This is excellent news for those who were using NIK filters as the people who designed initially that software formed to create some new software that can help creatives get their vision out of their heads and into their imagery.
The first software I want to share with you is Aurora HDR 2018. This is the first HDR software that I found to be able to give me reliable results in density over the image without that ‘HDR!!’ look. Very clean and easy to use with a WYSIWYG system. Here’s an example.
RAW files capture sequence
Processed in Aurora HDR 2018 software from images above.
I like how I can add life and dynamic range to the photo without dialing in HDR noise and artifacts that seemed to be prevalent in other HDR software processing programs. And, no hoops to jump through.
AURORA HDR
AURORA HDR 2018 Special Offer
Aurora HDR is not just a tool for merging bracketed images; it also provides numerous tools and countless options to create perfect HDR photos for every taste – from one-click presets and advanced tone-mapping, to layers, noise reduction, and robust luminosity masking controls. It was named as the Best Mac App of 2017 by Apple.
Offer Availability: The Aurora HDR Special offer is already live and continues until December 31.
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Current users of Aurora HDR may upgrade at a Special price of $39 ($29 using my coupon code COATES)
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New users can purchase Aurora HDR 2018 for $79 ($69 with my coupon code COATES)
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A collection of bonuses will also be included with every purchase.
Bonuses:
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Deep Dive video tutorial from Trey Ratcliff
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“How to create realistic HDR images” Ebook
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2 Preset Packs – 40 presets! Preset Pack 1 – Winter Vibes. Preset Pack 2 – Wonderland.
Yours In Creative Photography, Bob
PS – There’s a deal on Luminar I’ll outline tomorrow!
by successfulbob | architectural photography, infrared photography, landscape photography, Lumix G6, LumixGH5, photography creativity
Infrared Capture for Photographing Architecture
We don’t necessarily think about using IR capture when taking everyday images of architecture. It can give you a different look. And I like it.
Always the difference will be dependent upon what the final image use will be. Since I am my client when doing architecture images for art presentation, I get to choose. I’ll show you a couple of different captures and let you decide. Let me know what you think.
Weisman Museum IR capture Lumix G6 Camera converted to Infrared Capture by LifePixel Processed in Adobe Camera RAW and Skylum (AKA MacPhun’s) Luminar
I think the infrared gave this image a bit of an otherworld feeling complementing otherworld style architecture.
Here’s a color capture made with the Lumix GH5. Processed in Adobe Camera RAW and Skylum (AKA MacPhun’s) Luminar
I always try to work a subject over and above a straight-forward rendition. This includes different angles, framing, and processing. See a couple of images below for examples. I would have tried quite a few different ideas, but I stopped on my way to the airport and didn’t want to miss my flight. Art suffers from a tight schedule!
While not showing off the architecture quite as much I feel the framing made for a more interesting photo.
Details can always add to the story. I liked the barren tree against the architecture in this image.
by successfulbob | photography
Wetlands and Creek Photography – Infrared Capture
I’m a fan of the look and feel of infrared photography. Part of the beauty is that you can take the time of day that is usually dead for photography as far as making interesting images that have the light that helps highlight your subject. Most photographers will tell you midday is not a great time for photography.
I’ve found that using an IR converted camera can take that flat light and give us a different feel for the scene. Things that seem to work best with infrared image capture include skies with clouds and greenery. The best time for infrared photography? 10 AM to 2 PM under full sun. Here are a couple of images from the local wetlands area between Sedona and Cottonwood.
Reeds, water, and clouds make for an image with lots of contrast options. Lumix G6 (This link is to the Lumix G7 as the G6 is no longer avaiable. Remember, almost any camera you have in your quiver can be converted. Usually, it’s whatever you have moved on from to get more use) with 14-140mm lens converted to infrared by LifePixel
Captured last year with the same gear as above
From Oak Creek in the canyon between Sedona and Flagstaff
Now, as with all image making, there are exceptions to every rule. Many images of destinations can be made at that very flat light time between 10 AM and 2 PM in full sun. Usually, it is a time to show deep blue skies and white puffy clouds with either palm trees and beaches or red rock vistas from out west.
Luminar 2018 FEBRUARY OFFER through the 26th 
