Chromagraph Digital camera offers iPhone photographs the Hollywood remedy for $12.99, however its cinematic look will not go well with each photographer’s style.
Rian Johnson launched Chromagraph Digital camera, an iPhone pictures app that makes use of picture processing developed for his movies. The “Knives Out” and “The Final Jedi” director labored with cinematographer Steve Yedlin and programmer Eric Cameron to carry Chromagraph Digital camera to the App Retailer.
So I just lately badgered my cinematographer @steveyedlin into making my preferrred iPhone nonetheless digicam app. It shoots RAW, bypasses the iPhone’s look processing and as an alternative makes use of the identical picture processing we use on our motion pictures. https://t.co/makZzhFd2Q
— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) October 28, 2026
Chromagraph Digital camera captures RAW picture knowledge and bypasses Apple’s normal photographic rendering in favor of the staff’s customized processing. Yedlin talked about on Instagram that the app makes use of the identical processing arithmetic as his movie work, however is tailored for Apple’s cameras.
The method offers pictures the staff’s most popular remedy of colour, tone, grain, and halation. Customers may also regulate colour, tone, and texture, slightly than relying solely on the app’s signature look.
If you happen to’re eager about attempting it, you’ll be able to snag it on the App Retailer for a one-time value of $12.99.
It appears to be like cinematic, for higher or worse
I really like digicam apps. I am hardly a photographer in any capability, however I actually take loads of footage.
Like loads of hobbyists, my footage have their very own fashion to them. A variety of my family and friends have remarked that they will at all times inform my footage from anybody else’s.
Not solely certain if that is meant to be a praise, however I am going to actually take it as one.
Left: The Lettie G. Howard rigging (foreground) and Bicentennial Tower (background) | Proper: Presque Isle State Park
My typical enhancing circulate goes like this: I am going to seize an image on my iPhone 17 after which take it into VSCO to edit it. I used to make use of Halide, and in the future I am going to seemingly return to it; I actually like bouncing round completely different apps.
That is why I purchased Chromagraph as quickly as Mike confirmed it to me.
Chromagraph is an attention-grabbing app, and as I mentioned, I like attempting out new stuff. As a bonus, Chromagraph is a one-time buy of $12.99.
It is kind of point-and-shoot, which is good. Actually, the primary time you open the Chromagraph, it suggests that you just exchange your normal iPhone digicam with it.
I will not be doing that, although, for one crucial purpose.
Chromagraph is not a filter app, but it surely does give your footage a really particular look. Because the creators mentioned, it replaces the iPhone’s processing with the app’s customized processing that’s extra according to what its creators need.
The identical topic taken with the default iPhone digicam app vs Chromagraph, each photographs are unedited
And it undoubtedly appears to be like acquainted. If you happen to’ve watched any Blockbusters from the 2010s via now, you will know what I am speaking about.
Movie critic Katie Stebbins calls it “Intangible Sludge,” and it is the hallmark of many a Hollywood movie lately.
for an express instance of how the Intangible Sludge has turn into standardized, look no additional than a season 1 dexter screencap & a dexter: new blood screencap (pls don’t @ me with “however he isn’t in miami anymore”) https://t.co/3ubAZCI32Z
— Katie Stebbins (@_katiestebbins_) November 18, 2021
I ought to word that that is all private desire, and I am not saying that Chromograph is not a very good app. Chromograph simply falls extra on the David Yates finish of the spectrum, whereas I fall extra on the Wes Anderson finish.
You’ll be able to edit footage you’re taking throughout the app to compensate for the default look. I’ll say that it is nowhere close to as intuitive as enhancing in lots of different photograph apps, together with Apple’s personal inventory Photographs app.
This addendum is not meant to dissuade you from attempting out Chromagraph, for the report. It is $13, and I’ve actually spent extra on much less.
Nonetheless, after I attempted it, Mike requested me to incorporate my opinion of it.
In case you are in search of an app that offers you a ton of management, Halide remains to be our advice. You may get it for $19.99 per 12 months, or pay $69.99 for a lifetime license.
