There were a few things I had in mind when I sat down yesterday to work on an editing project in Luminar. The first was that it was Halloween, so I had to pick an appropriate file to work on:
ISO 800 50mm f/16 1/100sec
The second was that it was Halloween (sounds a bit like the first thing) but that meant picking an appropriate filter:
ISO 800 50mm f/16 1/100sec
Luminar had released some free Halloween presets, so I used “Darklord” for this photo. But what I really wanted to work on was creating a watermark that I could use in Luminar. Up until now I have been exporting my files to this blog from Lightroom and applying the watermark at that point. Luminar is promising to release a library feature soon and I am hoping that will mean I can ditch Lightroom, but I do like to have a watermark. I e-mailed Luminar and they sent me a link to a page that contains directions for making a watermark; scroll down on that page, the directions are there I promise. The results are on the second photo, the first photo has my Lightroom watermark on it.
It was a fun little project that didn’t take too long to complete. I’m thinking it’s fine as a starting point, but I may go back and tweak it a bit. What do you think of it? I’m open to suggestions in the comments below. How do you like the Halloween look to the edit of the photo? How was your Halloween? Feel free to comment below.
Cheers!
Added to Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge, Just for Fun.
Photography Journal Blog 
I’ve been noticing many are using Luminar! Do they offer a free trial?
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I’m pretty sure they offer a 30 day version. Right now on their front page though, they are pushing a deal where you get upcoming upgrades at no additional cost.
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Thanks for that! Have you tried Tobaz Labs? Lately, it’s my go-to, but I only use it sparingly.
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I looked at Topaz back when I ultimately went with Photoshop, so that was several years ago at this point, so I think it would be fair to say that I am not familiar with them. Are you using Topaz as a stand alone or do you combine it with a version of Photoshop or other photo catalog/edit system?
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I’m using it in conjunction with Paint Shop Pro X9 right now.
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Nice 🙂
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Very interesting subject worthy of many ideas
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Thanks 🙂
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Hi, Amy. I guess you’re happy with Luminar. I also want to add a signature/watermark and was looking at how to do that in Photoshop. I like how yours came out.
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So, I actually created the file I’m using in Luminar in Photoshop. I used these directions as a guide, so maybe you will find it helpful? https://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/how-to-add-a-watermark-to-an-image-in-photoshop
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Many thanks, Amy! Wonderful! Just what I need.
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Great, glad you found it helpful.
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I like onOne. It has many of the features Luminar has and more.
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Nice, you get good results, I know that from my visits to your blog 🙂
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I like your editing! I should use watermarks but I get a bit lazy.
I also have been posting straight from my phone. Another lazy point by me… but because we are so active and always on the go I am glad to post when I do.
I enjoyed your edits!
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Thanks very much! Do you use the WordPress App to publish from your phone?
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I do! It is soooooo easy! My iPhone 7 Plus takes pretty amazing shots. It can’t zoom in to a mountain top or the moon but in everyday cases it takes a pretty nice picture. And there are so many free apps to edit with as well.
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Nice, that’s good to hear that you like your iPhone. I have a few generation behind you, and I often like the results I get from mine.
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Fun! I like the second photo with the Darklord filter.
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Thank You!
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I like the filter and I am not that into Halloween so no big holiday here (when children were little we loved dressing up)
and with your watermark …
I like the second version but it is a little too narrow and squished’-like (seemed like EKG lines with the up and won – well maybe not…) but for branding – well I would not have known it was your logo if I did already know you and see the above image.
The top one has the word photography too big (IMHO)
and so as you explore options – I would maybe have Maranto on top and photography right underneath and smaller.
I would also keep it the size as the top one (maybe experiment with fonts like you are) and then keep it nice and big like that but have it whisper light so it identifies the author without pulling from the photo.
—
One time I heard someone explain the font used on restaurant table top menu suggestions. You know the little centerpieces at diners and casual eateries.
Well the font should be big enough and clear enough so that if someone forgot their glasses they’d be able to read it easily. You likely already know this, but I think it applies to some watermarks (not if you want it hidden or barely visible) and with that in mind the Lightroom won is the winner watermark of the two
🙂
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Thanks, as always, for your thoughtful comments, which I will keep in my as I go back to create another version of this. I had not considered making Maranto and Photography two different sizes, but I will at least give it a try.
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well looking forward to what you come up with ….
🙂
and Love chiming in with you (as you know)
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Yes, and can I just say I really appreciate that not only do you leave really helpful feedback, you also don’t insist that I follow all of your advice 🙂 I feel like we can really have an actual thoughtful conversation so thanks 🙂
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ohh that was awesome to read just now – for a few reasons, and it also shows your humility and confidence to – because insecure people can’t always interact with feedback – if that makes sense. And I have had my own seasons of resisting – lol – but you seem to really be open for feedback when you ask for it (some folks are not but they think they are – but they are defensive or do not have the ability to churn) – so I am grateful we can “churn” together at times
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Me too 🙂 I’ve also found that this blog has been a great resource for me in terms of having conversations with folks who are interesting in chatting about creative ideas, I find that awesome.
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Yes – and I quote you from time to time regarding your stance on how the blogosphere will always be here when we need to take breaks ….
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I’m famous 🙂 hahaha 🙂
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Ha!
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Fun edit but I prefer the first photo. Really interesting subject that I was drawn to … a spiritual feel (hmm, a cross should be 😏)
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Yes, the second edit is more about Halloween and less about the real-life spirituality you find in a graveyard. I was shooting with my 50mm lens that day and I found that the close up shots were more interesting that the frames with the full cross in them.
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I don’t use filters myself but I like this shot very much.
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Thank you very much.
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I like the dark filter you use. Thank you for introducing Luminar. Will take a look. I use Lr most of the time. 🙂
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Thanks Amy. Luminar has a lot of them same features as Lightroom, I am just wanting to get away from the subscription model and Luminar is one that you just purchase outright.
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Although i am drawn to the brighter photo the editing works very well for a Halloween theme Amy. I always enjoy reading your explanations of the process.
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Thanks very much Sue!
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While I like the preset, I wouldn’t have thought it was Halloween inspired. The original photo might also work really nicely in B&W, given all the texture. Any particular reason you are thinking of ditching Lightroom?
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Interesting, I hadn’t really considered B&W, maybe I’ll give that a shot. Yes, the filters they released for Halloween I thought were pretty understated, which is why I went ahead and downloaded them, I think I will have some use for them and not just for Halloween.
So, the main reason I am thinking of leaving Lightroom is the subscription model. I prefer to just own outright whatever I am using. I would also like to have the ability to edit and not have an internet connection. What does your workflow look like? Are you a LR and PS user? just curious…
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I’m a PS user and have never switched, though I have plenty of complaints about it. 😄 Still, I’ve become used to how it works. The subscription model is tough, and I feel that more brands are going that way.
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There is a lot to be said for sticking with what you understand. I think that if you truly understand whatever editing software you are using, you can get a lot more out of it. I would agree with you that more brands are going the subscription route, and for some things that doesn’t bother me but for PS it does.
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I don’t use Luminar, but I think the result is great. I like the Halloween processing of this image. When I use filters, I resort to Snapseed or the old NIk Software.
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I use Nik sometimes as a plug in to Lightroom and have always liked it, the filters in Luminar I find similar to that.
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