Luminar Neo, A better Alternative to Adobe?
Over the past few years, my editing workflow has been fairly consistent. Like many photographers, I’ve relied on Adobe Lightroom and Camera Raw to process my RAW files and bring my landscape images to their final form. The tools are reliable and familiar, but the subscription model that comes with them has steadily increased in price. For photographers who only require basic editing tools, that can feel like paying for far more than you actually use.
Recently, I decided to test Luminar Neo to see whether it could realistically replace Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw for the type of editing I typically do.
The idea behind the video was simple. Rather than focusing on every feature available in the software, I wanted to approach the edit the same way I normally would when working on a landscape photograph. That means adjusting exposure, contrast, colour balance, and refining the image with subtle local adjustments. In other words, the kind of edits that most photographers make when developing a RAW file.
One of the things I wanted to examine was workflow. When you open a RAW file, how quickly can you move through the process of refining the image? With Luminar Neo, the layout of the tools is straightforward and easy to understand. The adjustments needed for a typical landscape edit are available without needing to navigate through complicated menus or systems.
During the video, I also made sure to show clear before-and-after comparisons so viewers can judge the results for themselves. When demonstrating certain tools, I temporarily increase the strength of the adjustment so the effect is obvious, and then reduce it to achieve the final result. This makes it easier to understand what each tool is doing within the edit.
Another point that came up during the review was the broader ecosystem surrounding Luminar. The software is part of a workflow that connects desktop editing with mobile options as well. The mobile apps allow photographers to make adjustments while travelling or away from their main editing setup, which may suit photographers who like to work across different devices.
However, the main factor that prompted this test was cost. Adobe operates on a subscription model, meaning you pay continuously to access the software. For some photographers that system works well, particularly if they use the full ecosystem of services. But if your needs are limited to RAW processing and basic editing adjustments, the ongoing cost can start to feel unnecessary.
Luminar Neo takes a different approach, offering a one-time purchase option rather than a recurring subscription. For photographers who prefer owning their software rather than paying monthly, that alone can make it worth considering.
The purpose of the video is not to claim that one piece of software is universally better than another. Instead, it is to explore whether a simpler approach to editing software can meet the needs of photographers whose workflow focuses on practical, straightforward adjustments.
If you’re curious to see the full edit and the results side by side, you can watch the complete video below, where I walk through the entire process step by step.
This video is sponsored by Luminar, but they have no input on what I say or how I edit. All opinions shared are my own.
If you’re paying for a subscription packed with features you don’t need, and you’re looking for a one-off purchase that covers the essentials, this is worth a look.
https://skylum.com/luminar
If you’d like to try it yourself, you can use my link above and get 10% off with code DARREN10.
Behind the Raw (Full Editing Breakdowns)
If you'd like to see the full thought process behind my images — from capturing the photograph in the field to the complete edit — I share that every week with my Patreon community.
Watch the test below