Chromagraph Camera gives iPhone photos the Hollywood treatment for $12.99, but its cinematic look won't suit every photographer's taste.
Rian Johnson launched Chromagraph Camera, an iPhone photography app that uses image processing developed for his films. The "Knives Out" and "The Last Jedi" director worked with cinematographer Steve Yedlin and programmer Eric Cameron to bring Chromagraph Camera to the App Store.
Chromagraph Camera captures RAW image data and bypasses Apple's standard photographic rendering in favor of the team's custom processing. Yedlin mentioned on Instagram that the app uses the same processing mathematics as his film work, but is adapted for Apple's cameras.
The approach gives photographs the team's preferred treatment of color, tone, grain, and halation. Users can also adjust color, tone, and texture, rather than relying entirely on the app's signature look.
If you're interested in trying it, you can snag it on the App Store for a one-time cost of $12.99.
It looks cinematic, for better or worse
I love camera apps. I'm hardly a photographer in any capacity, but I certainly take a lot of pictures.
Like a lot of hobbyists, my pictures have their own style to them. A lot of my friends and family have remarked that they can always tell my pictures from anyone else's.
Not entirely sure if that's intended to be a compliment, but I'll certainly take it as one.
Left: The Lettie G. Howard rigging (foreground) and Bicentennial Tower (background) | Right: Presque Isle State Park
My usual editing flow goes like this: I'll capture a picture on my iPhone 17 and then take it into VSCO to edit it. I used to use Halide, and one day I'll likely return to it; I really like bouncing around different apps.
That's why I bought Chromagraph as soon as Mike showed it to me.
Chromagraph is an interesting app, and as I said, I like trying out new stuff. As a bonus, Chromagraph is a one-time purchase of $12.99.
It's more or less point-and-shoot, which is nice. In fact, the first time you open the Chromagraph, it suggests that you replace your standard iPhone camera with it.
I won't be doing that, though, for one critical reason.
Chromagraph isn't a filter app, but it does give your pictures a very specific look. As the creators said, it replaces the iPhone's processing with the app's custom processing that is more in line with what its creators want.
The same subject taken with the default iPhone camera app vs Chromagraph, both images are unedited
And it definitely looks familiar. If you've watched any Blockbusters from the 2010s through now, you'll know what I'm talking about.
Film critic Katie Stebbins calls it "Intangible Sludge," and it's the hallmark of many a Hollywood film these days.
I should note that this is all personal preference, and I'm not saying that Chromograph isn't a good app. Chromograph just falls more on the David Yates end of the spectrum, while I fall more on the Wes Anderson end.
You can edit pictures you take within the app to compensate for the default look. I will say that it's nowhere near as intuitive as editing in many other photo apps, including Apple's own stock Photos app.
This addendum isn't meant to dissuade you from trying out Chromagraph, for the record. It's $13, and I've certainly spent more on less.
However, after I tried it, Mike asked me to include my opinion of it.
If you are looking for an app that gives you a ton of control, Halide is still our recommendation. You can get it for $19.99 per year, or pay $69.99 for a lifetime license.
