Apple Vision Pro: Revolutionizing Photo Editing with Adobe Lightroom
Imagine being able to edit and sort your digital photos with ease, even in the most cramped spaces. That’s exactly what the Apple Vision Pro promises to deliver. This virtual and augmented reality headset allows users to project their photos onto a big screen that only they can see. As someone who frequently travels with a laptop full of photos to edit, I was intrigued by the potential of this technology.
Recently, I had the opportunity to try out the Apple Vision Pro and test Adobe’s new Lightroom app on it. To my delight, the experience was nothing short of impressive. With just a few minutes of familiarizing myself with the interface, I was able to perform standard Lightroom actions such as adjusting exposure, applying editing presets, and enhancing the sky. The ease and efficiency of using the headset left me thoroughly impressed.
What sets the Apple Vision Pro apart is its ability to provide a private workspace in public areas. As someone who values privacy when working on personal projects, this feature resonated with me. Lightroom, a popular photo editing tool, fits seamlessly into this concept. While I may not be inclined to purchase the Apple Vision Pro solely for Lightroom support, it is undoubtedly a compelling reason to consider investing in this innovative headset.
The screen quality of the Apple Vision Pro is exceptional. Despite concerns about resolution and pixelation, I found the colors to be vibrant and the tonal variations of photos to be visually appealing. The foveated rendering technology employed by Apple, which shows high-resolution imagery only in the area directly being looked at, worked seamlessly for me. I never noticed any low-resolution rendering, further enhancing the overall experience.
In terms of usability, Lightroom on the Apple Vision Pro closely resembles its iPad counterpart. Instead of tapping on a screen, users direct their gaze at the desired control and tap their fingertips together. Opening photos for editing, accessing the effects editing panel, and applying presets are all accomplished through this intuitive look-and-tap interaction. The learning curve is minimal, making it easy for users to adapt to this new way of interacting with the software.
While my experience with Lightroom on the Apple Vision Pro was largely positive, there were a few shortcomings worth mentioning. Eye tracking accuracy was occasionally problematic, and there were instances where the headset struggled to determine which control I was looking at. However, I remain optimistic that these issues can be addressed through calibration and future hardware and software improvements.
Another limitation is that the Lightroom app available on the Apple Vision Pro is not the full-featured Lightroom Classic version. Instead, it is a more stripped-down version that stores photos in the cloud. As someone who relies on Lightroom Classic’s advanced features and local storage capabilities, this was a drawback for me. However, it is still possible to use Lightroom Classic on a Mac and utilize the Vision Pro as a virtual monitor, albeit with a less polished interface.
For those concerned about internet access while editing photos on the go, Adobe has provided a solution. Lightroom can download a group of photos in advance, ensuring that users can work offline without any interruptions. However, certain features such as merging different shots into a single HDR photo are not available on the Apple Vision Pro. Additionally, viewing panoramic photos in their full wrap-around glory requires exporting them to Apple Photos, which may not provide the immersive experience some users desire.
In addition to Lightroom, Adobe has also released three other apps specifically designed for the Apple Vision Pro. Firefly allows users to create imagery using Adobe’s generative AI tool, while Fresco offers a version of their popular sketching app. The Behance app provides access to Adobe’s online portfolio tool with a slight social networking aspect. These apps were chosen for their compatibility with Apple’s headset and represent Adobe’s commitment to exploring the possibilities of this emerging technology.
Overall, my experience with the Apple Vision Pro and Lightroom was highly positive. The seamless integration of the two platforms, combined with the headset’s impressive display and intuitive controls, make for a compelling photo editing experience. While there are some limitations and areas for improvement, the potential for future advancements is promising. As Apple continues to refine its spatial computing interface and developers explore new possibilities, the Apple Vision Pro has the potential to appeal to a wide range of users beyond just gaming enthusiasts.
For a more comprehensive review of the Apple Vision Pro, I recommend checking out my colleague Scott Stein’s in-depth analysis. He describes it as the “best wearable display” he has ever used, highlighting its impressive technology while acknowledging that there is room for further refinement.
In conclusion, the Apple Vision Pro offers a game-changing experience for editing photos with Adobe Lightroom. Its innovative features, combined with the seamless integration of the Lightroom app, make it an enticing option for photographers and editing enthusiasts alike. While there are some limitations and areas that could be improved upon, the overall potential of this technology is undeniable. Whether you’re a professional photographer
