The End of Lightroom? | Polarr Next Review | Using AI to Edit Photos

REEM Photography
8 Feb 202417:40

TLDRIn this video review, the creator discusses their experience with Polar Next, a new AI-powered web-based photo editing software. They highlight the software's quick and seamless editing process, similarity to Lightroom's interface, and real-time editing capabilities as major advantages. However, they also note the current limitations, such as the requirement of an internet connection, the software being in beta with some bugs, and the lack of project organization features. The reviewer appreciates the responsive customer service and the potential of AI to streamline the editing process for wedding photographers, allowing them to focus more on business aspects. They conclude by encouraging viewers to try the software and share their thoughts on AI's impact on the wedding photography industry.

Takeaways

  • 🎉 Polar Next is a new AI web-based photo editing software that aims to streamline the editing process for photographers.
  • 🔍 The software is currently in beta and only accessible through Google Chrome, requiring an internet connection to function.
  • 🌟 The interface is designed to be similar to Lightroom, making it easier for users familiar with Adobe's platform to adopt.
  • 📂 Users can create new projects and select photos to edit, with the option to let the site edit files or manually edit them.
  • 🤖 AI suggests reference photos for editing, which can be used to train the AI to apply consistent edits across a gallery.
  • 🖼️ Editing is done in real-time, allowing for adjustments as the AI processes, which can lead to a faster workflow.
  • 🚀 The speed of editing and exporting photos is highlighted as a significant advantage, especially for high-volume wedding photography.
  • 📁 There is no desktop version, which means all editing must be done online and projects cannot be organized into folders like in Lightroom.
  • 💻 The web-based nature poses limitations for users who travel frequently and may not always have access to the internet.
  • 💰 Polar Next is considered pricey, but could be a worthwhile investment for full-time wedding photographers looking to save time.
  • 🔧 The software is still in development, with bugs and quirks expected to be ironed out before full launch.
  • ✅ Positive customer service and a responsive team are noted, with improvements and additions being made based on user feedback.

Q & A

  • What is the name of the AI web-based photo editing software discussed in the video?

    -The name of the AI web-based photo editing software discussed is Polar Next.

  • What is the significance of the 'reference edit' feature in Polar Next?

    -The 'reference edit' feature in Polar Next allows users to edit a selected photo, and the AI will then apply similar edits to other photos in the gallery that are in a similar environment or taken around the same part of the event.

  • What is the primary requirement for using Polar Next?

    -The primary requirement for using Polar Next is an internet connection and the use of Google Chrome, as it is a web-based application.

  • How does the user feel about the speed of Polar Next?

    -The user appreciates the speed of Polar Next, noting that it is fast and seamless, especially considering it is a web-based application.

  • What is the user's concern about Polar Next being web-based?

    -The user is concerned that Polar Next being web-based means they need an internet connection to use it, which could be inconvenient when traveling or wanting to edit photos offline.

  • What is the user's suggestion for Polar Next regarding project organization?

    -The user suggests that Polar Next should allow users to organize their projects into folders, similar to how Lightroom allows for organizing projects and collections.

  • What feature does the user find particularly useful for real-time editing?

    -The user finds the feature that allows for real-time editing as the AI processes the photos particularly useful. This means they can make adjustments to photos while the AI is working, and the AI will correct those photos in real time.

  • How does Polar Next assist in speeding up the editing process for a wedding photographer?

    -Polar Next assists by learning the user's editing style through the reference photos, allowing it to automatically edit the entire gallery in a similar style. This can save a significant amount of time, allowing photographers to focus more on their business side.

  • What is the user's opinion on the customer service of Polar Next?

    -The user is highly appreciative of the customer service provided by Polar Next, noting that the team has been very responsive and quick to address concerns and add new features based on user feedback.

  • What is the user's main concern regarding the current state of Polar Next?

    -The user's main concern is that Polar Next is still in beta, which means there are quirks and bugs that need to be ironed out before full launch. Additionally, the lack of an offline desktop version is a drawback for the user.

  • What does the user suggest as a future improvement for Polar Next?

    -The user suggests that a future improvement for Polar Next would be to have an in-house downloadable software version that can be used offline, providing more flexibility for users.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to Polar Next: AI Web-Based Photo Editing Software

The speaker introduces Polar Next, a new AI web-based photo editing software. They express their enjoyment after trying it and emphasize the importance of giving an honest review. The video is sponsored by Polar Next, and the app is in beta, which means there may be bugs to be discovered and fixed. The interface is designed to be similar to Lightroom to ease the learning process for users accustomed to that platform. The software is accessible through Google Chrome and requires an internet connection, with no desktop version currently available.

05:00

🖥️ Navigating Polar Next: Interface and Features Overview

The speaker provides a walkthrough of the Polar Next interface, highlighting its resemblance to Lightroom. They discuss the process of creating a new project, selecting photos, and the option to use AI styles. The software automatically suggests reference photos for editing, which can then be used to apply consistent edits across similar photos in the gallery. The speaker also mentions additional features like camera info display, presets, and the ability to toggle between different views and settings for efficient photo editing.

10:01

⚙️ Adjusting and Marking Reference Photos in Polar Next

The speaker describes the process of adjusting and marking reference photos within Polar Next. They detail how to apply edits to a photo and then mark it as a reference edit, which instructs the AI to apply similar edits to other photos in the same lighting or scene conditions. The video also covers the use of keyboard shortcuts for efficiency and the option to copy and paste edits. The speaker emphasizes the importance of careful editing of reference photos to train the AI effectively.

15:02

📂 Finalizing Edits and Exporting in Polar Next

The speaker talks about the final steps in using Polar Next, including reviewing and adjusting photos in grid view, using the crop tool, and addressing any glitches encountered. They explain how to save an AI style for future use, which captures the user's editing style for faster editing in subsequent sessions. The process of exporting edited photos is outlined, with options for selecting image type, quality, and resolution. The speaker concludes with their personal pros and cons of the software, noting its speed, similarity to Lightroom, and real-time editing capabilities as pros, and the requirement for an internet connection and the lack of organizational features as cons.

💬 Feedback and Future Prospects for Polar Next

The speaker provides feedback on their experience with Polar Next, mentioning the responsive customer service and the potential for the software to become a significant tool for wedding photographers. They express hope for future improvements, such as the addition of organizational features and the development of a downloadable version for offline use. The speaker also discusses the current pricing and how it may be justified by the time-saving benefits for professional photographers. They encourage viewers to try the software using a provided link and share their thoughts on AI's impact on the wedding photography industry.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI

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, AI is used to automate the photo editing process, suggesting edits and learning from the user's style to apply consistent edits across a set of photos.

💡Photo Editing Software

Photo editing software is a type of program or application that allows users to modify and enhance digital photos. In the video, the host discusses using a new AI web-based photo editing software called Polar Next, which assists in editing photos more efficiently.

💡Web-based Application

A web-based application is software that runs on a web server and is accessed via a web browser, rather than being installed on a local computer. The video script mentions that Polar Next is a web-based app, which means it can be accessed from any location with an internet connection and a compatible web browser, such as Google Chrome.

💡Beta Stage

Beta stage refers to the testing phase of a software or application, where it is released to a limited audience to identify and fix bugs before the final release. The video script indicates that Polar Next is still in its beta stages, meaning it may have some issues that are yet to be resolved.

💡Reference Edit

A reference edit is a selected photo that the AI uses to learn and apply a specific editing style. The video explains that by editing a photo as a reference, the AI will attempt to apply similar edits to other photos in the gallery with similar lighting or environment.

💡Pre-trained AI Style

A pre-trained AI style refers to a set of editing parameters that have been previously learned by the AI and can be applied to new photos. In the video, the host mentions the option to use Polar's pre-trained AI styles as templates for editing, which can then be adjusted to match the user's preferences.

💡Lightroom

Lightroom is a popular photo editing and organization software by Adobe. It is mentioned in the video as a comparison point for Polar Next, highlighting the similarities in interface design to make the transition for users more comfortable.

💡Exporting

Exporting in the context of photo editing software refers to the process of saving the edited photos in a specific format, quality, and resolution. The video script describes the exporting process in Polar Next, where users can choose their export settings and save their edited photos.

💡Sponsored Video

A sponsored video is a content piece where the creator is financially supported by a company to review or feature its product. The video script mentions that this is the host's first official sponsored video, indicating that the review of Polar Next is part of a promotional agreement.

💡User Interface (UI)

User Interface (UI) refers to the space where interactions between users and a digital device occur, including visual, auditory, and tactile elements. The video discusses the UI of Polar Next, noting its similarity to Lightroom, which helps users familiar with Adobe's software to adapt more quickly.

💡Preset

A preset in photo editing is a set of predefined adjustments that can be applied to photos. In the video, the host uses presets to apply a consistent style to photos and then marks them as reference edits for the AI to learn and apply those styles to other photos.

Highlights

Polarr Next is a new AI web-based photo editing software that offers a seamless editing experience.

The software is still in beta, which means there may be bugs and areas for improvement.

It requires Google Chrome to run and needs an internet connection, with no current desktop version available.

Users can create new AI styles or use pre-trained styles provided by Polarr for editing their projects.

The interface is designed to be similar to Lightroom to ease the transition for users accustomed to Adobe's software.

AI suggests reference photos for editing, which are used to apply consistent edits across similar photos in the gallery.

Polarrr Next allows for real-time editing adjustments as the AI processes the photos.

Photos can be organized and sorted by file name, date, or custom range within the software.

The software provides presets such as Airy, Black and White, and Cream for quick editing styles.

Users can toggle between single image view and grid view for different editing perspectives.

Polarrr Next enables the copying and pasting of edits across multiple photos for consistent editing.

The software is fast and efficient, even when toggling through RAW photos.

After setting up the AI style, the software automatically edits all photos based on the reference edits.

Users can save their AI style for future use, allowing the AI to learn and apply the user's editing style.

The export process is quick, allowing users to select all images in a project and choose their export settings.

Pros of Polarrr Next include its speed, similarity to Lightroom, and the ability to edit while processing.

Cons include the requirement of an internet connection, being in beta with potential bugs, and the lack of project organization features.

The customer service team is responsive, and the software has shown updates based on user feedback.

Polarrr Next could be beneficial for wedding photographers looking to streamline their editing process and focus on business growth.

The reviewer suggests that having a downloadable version for offline use would be a significant advantage.