The current “yearbook” trend is making waves, with apps leveraging AI to transform user-uploaded images into nostalgic yearbook-style photography. Intrigued by the concept, I decided to test one of these AI apps, and my choice was PhotoLab. Having used it years ago for some creatively spooky Halloween photos, I was pleasantly surprised by the significant advancements it has made since then!
A few years back, the effects were cute but somewhat “cheesy,” featuring color overlays, spooky borders, and creative animated effects over chosen photos. However, the introduction of “LookLab” left me utterly impressed.
Here is the image I uploaded from last week for your reference.
In just 10 seconds, it generated a variety of photo set themes, including My Yearbook, My 70’s Yearbook, My 60’s Yearbook, Travel In Time, Spooky Stories, and more. The app allows you to customize details like hair color, length, and gender preference, all while offering a free trial with downloadable images, each stamped with a PhotoLab watermark.
The Pros:
• It’s Fun! Who wouldn’t want to time travel and see their portrait in the 1970s?
• Quick + Free Start: Love that I could fully test it before committing. Monthly and yearly subscription plans are available.
• Realistic Results: Finally, an AI app that captures the true essence of the person in the photo.
• Style Exploration: Testing out hairstyles and retro clothing was a blast. Pink faux fur jacket, here I come!
• Great for Families: As a mother of two, including a special needs child, I was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful portraits I could create.
The Cons:
• Limited Customization: While hair options are available, other areas lack depth.
• Body Image Discrepancies: Generated images sometimes didn’t align with my current body type.
• Skin Tone Challenges: The app struggled with accurately representing my South Asian ethnicity.
• Cultural Representation: “My Luxury Wedding” could benefit from showcasing gowns from various cultures.
• Age Appropriateness: The “Baby on the Way” section didn’t remove child-generated photos as intended.
In conclusion, as a photography enthusiast, designer and an all out “creative”, I found PhotoLab quite extraordinary. The advancements in AI technology are exciting, and I look forward to seeing where they go from here. Sharing a few favorites from last night’s tests – have you taken on the “yearbook challenge”?
Until next time,
Vani 🌈📷 #PhotoLabAI #YearbookChallenge #PhotographyFun