Comparison of Photo Editors

A Usability Test of Luminar and Lightroom

Cobbley, McKenna (cobb3686@vandals.uidaho.edu)

[COMPANY NAME] | [COMPANY ADDRESS]
Table of Contents

Introduction ……………………………………………………………………. 3

Methodology ………………………………………………………………….... 3

Tasks …………………………………………………………………....... 3

Results ……………………………………………………………………….…. 4

Task #1 …………………………………………………………………... 4

Task #2 …………………………………………………………………... 5

Task #3 ...……………………………………………………………….... 5

Task #4 …………………………………………………………………... 7

Task #5 …………………………………………………………………... 8

Discussion/Conclusion ………………………………………………………… 9

Appendix: Raw Data ………………………………………………………… 10

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Introduction

Adobe’s Lightroom and Skylum’s Luminar are popular photo editors designed for both

professional and casual photographers. This white paper presents the results of a cognitive

usability test comparing how the features of these platforms preformed for typical users based on

the five component standards that define usability.

Methodology

This usability test was conducted on a MacBook Air macOS Sierra version 10.12.6 for both

Lightroom and Luminar. I would normally edit photos on my IPhone but after learning that

Luminar doesn’t offer a smartphone app I opted to test the programs on my MacBook in order to

keep a control. The test was done in the living room of my apartment using Google Chrome,

which is my preferred browser. I tested each programs ability to be effective, efficient, engaging,

error tolerant, and easy to learn based on the five tasks below.

Tasks

1. Import photos to platform

2. Adjust photos tone, contrast, vibrance, etc.

3. Edit photos with filter tools

4. Organize images

5. Export photos

3
Likert Scale

Effective: I was able to complete this task with the tools provided.

Efficient: I was able to complete this task in less than 10 minutes.

Engaging: I had a pleasant response to the platforms design.

Error Tolerant: I was able to proceed after error smoothly.

Easy to Learn: I was able to complete this task without deliberate effort.

Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree

1 2 3 4 5

Results

Task #1: Import Photos to Platform

Lightroom makes it fairly simple to import photos to the platform but gets

messy soon after. Images can be imported into a variety of catalogs, which

took me research to understand. After loading a catalog, images can then be

placed into folders to store; which is simple compared to the apps catalog

navigation. Collections can also be added on the left panel which allows

users to compare original images, in folders, to edited images within

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Figure 1: import on Lightroom
collections. The user is able to set any collection as a target collection for their photos and after

more digging I found clicking “Go to folder in library” takes you back to the original image file

in its folder.

Luminar is far easier to navigate when it comes to the importing

process. The user isn’t prompted to import from intimidating catalogs as

it is automatically uploaded. Luminar also doesn’t store the raw image in

a folder and prompt the new image to be imported into a collection. This

makes Luminar much more user friendly for beginners but also lacks
Figure 2: import on Lumiar
options when it comes to importing images to a specific, more organized

system. I also found Luminar a much more user-friendly platform to download prior attempting

any of the tasks.

Task 1
6

0
Efficient Effective Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn

Lightroom Luminar

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Task #2: Adjust Photos Tone, Contrast, Vibrance, etc.

Lightroom creates easy access to adjustments such as tone, contrast, and

vibrance on both filtered and original images. I had no trouble finding

were to adjust with each and was impressed with the display. Lightroom

seemed to be much quicker then Luminar when making adjustments to

photos. I also found that these basic adjustments were extremely precise

and little changes could lead to a large transformation within the photo,

which I liked. The user can also store copies of edited images in Figure 3: adjustments on Lightroom

Lightroom which makes comparing adjustments on the same photo

simple. This feature also allows the user to reverse the steps in their editing if they change their

mind.

Luminar is simple in general adjustments as well.

However, I found that is program had a tendency to lag,

which made it harder to play around with the tools without

getting frustrated. Luminar doesn’t allow copies of the

edited image to be made through the process. This makes

it so the user is always editing the original image, making

comparison of edits unavailable until export. Only

Figure 4: adjustments on Luminar
allowing editing on the raw image also makes it difficult to

backtrack in the process if the user decides they liked a previous edit more. The drop-down bar

leading the user to different steps in their editing isn’t overly intuitive.

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 Task 2
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Efficient Effective Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn

Lightroom Luminar

Task #3: Edit Photos with Filter Tools

Lightroom offers popup tips during the users first editing experience which explain their tools

and how to navigate the program on a basic level. A more advanced

understanding of the features takes time and most likely some research.

Lightroom has a variety of presets that allow the user to adjust the entire

look of the image with a single click. The user can preview how these

preset edits will look on their photo before applying them by hovering

over the presets on the left-hand panel. Lightroom also get the user to

sync presets sold or downloaded through third parties which allows

Figure 5: preset edits on Lightroom
users to personalize and coordinate the look of their photos on an

even deeper level. Downloading and saving outside presets to Lightroom is a task I have

completed in the past and while it took watching multiple tutorials to understand, I will never

edit photos without this feature again. The program has a “healing” tool that functions similarly

to an erase tool which gives users the ability to undo effects on specific areas within the image

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while keeping the edit applied on desired areas. The user still has the option to use a classic erase

tool but the healing tool is a subtle way to refine the edits applied to images and fix errors.

Luminar includes Al filters which somewhat mimic Lightroom presets. One feature that

Luminar had within these filters that stood out to me was the Al Sky

Replacement, allowing users to replace the sky in one step. Luminar

also has a layer tool to merge two photos onto one canvas which

creates a unique look. This feature isn’t offered in Lightroom and users

must use another Adobe program alongside Lightroom in order to

create this effect. With this being said, Luminar is a basic all in one
Figure 6: Sky replacement on Luminar
editor by incorporating surface level Photoshop tools. Luminar

has much quicker editing speed overall but seemed to be less

precise in use. Luminar offers an erase tool, which returns the image to a previous step in the

editing process, but doesn’t include a tool to less drastically undo edits.

Task 3
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Efficient Effective Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn

Lightroom Luminar

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Task #4: Organize Images

Lightroom offers both databases that allow you to filter and file all images

uploaded to the app based on a range of characteristics. Images can be

searched by keyword, for beginners, or by metadata, appealing to more

advanced photographers. The app also allows you to filter images Figure 7: organizing options on Lightroom

by type (picture vs video) or edited (vs original). Lightroom

allows users to favorite, flag, and create custom tags for images before or after they are edited in

the app; as well as store these images in individual albums. After learning the whereabouts of

importing to catalogs, folders, and collections; organizing within these wasn’t terribly

complicated. Lastly, Lightroom has a smart collection feature which lets users quickly organize

all photos that match the given criteria.

Luminar features allow users to sort by favorite, flag, and label images

in a similar way. However, Luminar doesn’t allow filing through the use

of keywords or metadata making organizing files pretty limited. The user

can create albums but it is much more time consuming as you are forced

to import each image separately. Luminar lacks smart collections Figure 8:organizing options on Luminar

which make it less useful when organizing a large number of

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images.

Task 4
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Efficient Effective Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn

Lightroom Luminar

Task #5: Export Photos

Lightroom makes it simple to export and, more importantly, print images straight from the

program. The program offers singe image prints as well as picture packages in layout styles. The

user is able to rotate, zoom, and adjust the margins of pictures prior to export. The user is also

given a preview of the image to be printed at the same time that they are editing! Exporting
Figure 9: Export on Lightroom
photos, unlike some other features of the app, is extremely

intuitive and offers a variety of options.

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Luminar falls sort of Lighroom in its ability to deliver final images. Luminar doesn’t offer

printing for the user and while images were simple to export, there wasn’t many options on

where they were able to be stored. Because the images imported are only available to be stored in

albums, finding previously edited images to export is time confusing and confusing.

Figure 10: Export on Luminar

Task 5
6

0
Efficient Effective Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn

Lightroom Luminar

Overview

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 Task Averages Metric Averages
6
6 5
5 4
4 3
3 2
2 1
1 0
Efficient Effective Engaging Error Easy to
0 Tolerant Learn
Task 1 Task 2 Task 3 Task 4 Task 5

Lightroom Luminar Lightroom Luminar

Discussion/Conclusion

While Luminar might have a greater appeal to new photographers or those who aren’t as teach

savvy, Lightroom is still the overall winner when it comes to image editing. Luminar proves to

be a fairly new program that will require updates before becoming a stand-alone software for

photographers. Luminar provides an easier learning curve but lacks follow through towards the

end of the editing experience with its minimal storage and export options. I also found that

Luminar can be mastered in a short amount of time, leaving little room for user to develop new

editing techniques. One standout feature Luminar does have id incredible Al editing tools which

can be used in Lightroom and is a win-win for more seasoned editors. If purchasing subscriptions

to both programs is out of the question, Adobe Lightroom offers a wider variety of unique tools

to play with. Since users must buy a subscription to edit with both Lightroom and Luminar, it’s

unlikely that they are planning on using the program for a one-time edit. With this in mind, I

would argue Lightroom as a first choice over Luminar. Lightroom does take some time to grasp

but the complexity of its features allows users to keep advancing their editing skills, making it

the best long-term option.

Appendix: Raw Data

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Tasks Lightroom Luminar
Task 1 Import photos to platform Import photos to platform
Efficient I was able to complete this task in I was able to complete this task in
less than 10 minutes. less than 10 minutes.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagre Agree Disagre Agree
e e
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Effectiv I was able to complete this task I was able to complete this task with
e with the tools provided. the tools provided.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagre Agree Disagre Agree
e e
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Engagin I had a pleasant response to the I had a pleasant response to the
g platforms design. platforms design.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagre Agree Disagre Agree
e e
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Error I was able proceed after error I was able proceed after error
Tolerant smoothly. smoothly.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagre Agree Disagre Agree
e e
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Easy to I was able to complete this task I was able to complete this task
Learn without deliberate effort. without deliberate effort.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagre Agree Disagre Agree
e e
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Addition I was prompted to chose from a Photos were automatically opened
al Notes variety of locations right after and all I had to do was choose the
opening the program (collections, photos I wanted to import to the
folders, albums) and although it program. This got confusing as I
took some work to figure out it imported more photos.
was rewarding to have so many
options

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Tasks Lightroom Luminar
Task 2 Adjust photos contrast, tone, Adjust photos contrast, tone,
vibrance. vibrance.
Efficient I was able to complete this I was able to complete this
task in less than 10 minutes. task in less than 10 minutes.
Strongly Strongly Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree Disagree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Effective I was able to complete this I was able to complete this
task with the tools provided. task with the tools provided.
Strongly Strongly Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree Disagree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Engaging I had a pleasant response to I had a pleasant response to
the platforms design. the platforms design.
Strongly Strongly Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree Disagree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Error I was able proceed after I was able proceed after
Tolerant error smoothly. error smoothly.
Strongly Strongly Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree Disagree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Easy to I was able to complete this I was able to complete this
Learn task without deliberate task without deliberate
effort. effort.
Strongly Strongly Strongly Strongly
Disagree Agree Disagree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional All these adjustments were All adjustments were found
Notes found on the right hand side on the left hand side, they
under “edit”. They were very came up without choosing a
detail sensitive. tab. They had a slight lag.

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Tasks Lightroom Luminar
Task 3 Edit photos with filter tools. Edit photos with filter tools.
Efficient I was able to complete this task in less I was able to complete this task in less
than 10 minutes. than 10 minutes.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagr Agree Disagr Agree
ee ee
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Effectiv I was able to complete this task with I was able to complete this task with
e the tools provided. the tools provided.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagr Agree Disagr Agree
ee ee
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Engagin I had a pleasant response to the I had a pleasant response to the
g platforms design. platforms design.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagr Agree Disagr Agree
ee ee
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Error I was able proceed after error I was able proceed after error
Tolerant smoothly. smoothly.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagr Agree Disagr Agree
ee ee
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5

15
Easy to I was able to complete this task I was able to complete this task
Learn without deliberate effort. without deliberate effort.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagr Agree Disagr Agree
ee ee
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Addition Edit tools were on the left hand side Edit options were grouped into
al Notes and I was able to click through a themes at the bottom of the page.
variety of options as well as see a After choosing a theme I was able to
preview prior to applying them to my adjust more specifically on the right
photo making the process quick. This hand side column. No comparison and
also allowed me to compare edits. the process was slower due to the
time it took for the program to apply
the edit.

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Tasks Lightroom Luminar
Task 4 Orgnaize photos Organize photos
Efficien I was able to complete this task in I was able to complete this task in
t less than 10 minutes. less than 10 minutes.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagr Agree Disagr Agree
ee ee
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Effectiv I was able to complete this task I was able to complete this task
e with the tools provided. with the tools provided.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagr Agree Disagr Agree
ee ee
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Engagi I had a pleasant response to the I had a pleasant response to the
ng platforms design. platforms design.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagr Agree Disagr Agree
ee ee
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Error I was able proceed after error I was able proceed after error
Toleran smoothly. smoothly.
t
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagr Agree Disagr Agree
ee ee
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Easy to I was able to complete this task I was able to complete this task
Learn without deliberate effort. without deliberate effort.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagr Agree Disagr Agree
ee ee
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additio Photos were able to be organized Photos were organized on the left
nal on the left hand side through the hand side bar and the only option
Notes use of collections, folders, or was to move photos into different
albums. This was extremely useful albums.
once I figured it out.

17
Tasks Lightroom Luminar
Task 5 Export photos. Export photos.
Efficient I was able to complete this task in I was able to complete this task in
less than 10 minutes. less than 10 minutes.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagr Agree Disagr Agree
ee ee
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Effectiv I was able to complete this task with I was able to complete this task with
e the tools provided. the tools provided.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagr Agree Disagr Agree
ee ee
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Engagin I had a pleasant response to the I had a pleasant response to the
g platforms design. platforms design.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagr Agree Disagr Agree
ee ee
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Error I was able proceed after error I was able proceed after error
Tolerant smoothly. smoothly.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagr Agree Disagr Agree
ee ee
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Easy to I was able to complete this task I was able to complete this task
Learn without deliberate effort. without deliberate effort.
Strongl Strong Strongl Strong
y ly y ly
Disagr Agree Disagr Agree
ee ee
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Addition Print and export options located on The only export option was to save
al Notes the upper right hand side. I was able the image to a photo album on my
to connect to a printer right from the computer. This was located on the
program without saving it to another upper right hand ride. No print option

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 location. I was also about to export to and no final adjustments prior to
camera roll or other social media export.
apps.

Bibliography

Adobe Softaware. (2006-2018). Lightroom Classic (8.4.1) Application.

Skylum Software. (2016-2020). Luminar 4 (4.2.0) Application.

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