5 Things You Need To Know Before Shooting iPhone RAW

Whether you're switching from a traditional camera system or another phone, it's highly likely you'll find shooting RAW on iPhone a royal pain in the arse... so I'm here to help with a tutorial of sorts!
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Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
00:26 - 1) You need a 3rd party camera app
01:48 - 2) Dealing with embedded previews
03:25 - 3) The viewfinder is lying
04:00 - 4) The exposure guides are lying
06:50 - 5) They need time & effort

[@David_Addison]

Experts will identify a couple of 'bits' of information (pun intended 😆) that aren't strictly 'correct'. Keep in mind who this video is for before commenting. Happy shooting!

[@a-n-d-r-e-a-s]

Great to see you back!

[@JamesJosephFinn]

Your videos are truly artistic. Each one has a unique aesthetic. You, sir, are a digital artist.

[@mvz]

The addition of raw files with added processing from the likes for Apple (ProRaw) and Samsung (Expert Raw) have made what is already a somewhat confusing process for normal users even more convoluted. Excellent explanation of the differences of the file types, how the phone handles the files, and the best way to interact with the modern day tools to truly "develop" your photos.

[@David_Addison]

Thanks Michael!

[@manosg180]

Wonderful video David! 👏👏👏

[@David_Addison]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ihsasss]

Thanks i am your big fan i have learn alot from you

[@David_Addison]

Thanks Sam!

[@graham_T]

Thank you SO much David …for a long time I’ve been banging on about the ‘artificial’ colour tones being presented to the viewer by Apple’s algorithms . I even took my iPhone 13pro to Apple shop ..they agreed that what I was seeing on screen was not a true representation of the colours the camera was looking at . I’ve been hugely disappointed by the native camera app and all the processing that goes on that we can’t switch off . Your YT gives a great insight . I’m already a Halide user by the way

[@David_Addison]

If you shoot in ProRAW you can dial back some of the post processing later. I go through it in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3XTmaKZh6-VqKc

[@fotosvond_]

This video is stellar. It sums up everything I struggle with about shooting RAW on the iPhone because the auto-processed files are just ugly. Do you have any experience how RAW on Sony Xperia works? I am interested in switching and I heard Sony gives you internal real RAW in their stock app. I have seen JPGs out of Xperia phones Gen 5 and even these looked a lot more natural than iPhone ever did. The point for me is: I can work around this by using RAW for photos on iPhone, but I can't work around it in video mode and I don't think that using LOG should be the solution to having less sharpening etc. on a phone when capturing video. I shoot Slog2 on my A7R III, but I won't buy a new iPhone for Log recording and edit every single casual shot I take, that is ridiculous.

[@DirTypAUl100]

Nice video ! What do you think is the best app starting with raw photography . I considered buying the moment app but I would like your opinion if you can help !

[@dorukaras]

David, do you think it makes more sense to use the original iPhone camera when taking my photos and edit them in applications such as Darkroom, or is it necessary to use third-party camera applications? Do third-party camera applications work as stable and clear as the original iPhone camera? thank you in advance

[@akekun1983]

I'm using iPhone 15 Pro Max, after shooting in ProRaw, when editing in Lightroom the size & cropping image is different (DNG file cropping image is bigger & wider). Have you encounter this issue?

[@alexm1126]

even when the highlights look right in halide i still can't get a good image in pure raw format like i can when using the actual mirrorless camera

[@stevenwaldstein2249]

Thank you. On my regular mirrorless cameras I shoot RAW almost exclusively so I want to experiment with it on my iPhone. Which iPhone has the best support for RAW and which 3rd party app is the best? Take care.

[@rosalieb7909]

Having just watched this video AND coming from a DSLR background.....I am totally confused! So do I need to download BAYER RAW?

[@Pianist7137Gaming]

I just got reflex full version and it ALSO shows the embedded preview😅 Is there a way around it? ProRaw works perfectly though!

[@simonharper8978]

Love it, David... so HOW do we get the best out of iPhone RAW using apps like Darkroom when editing? Do you have any good and clear tutorials you could recommend?

[@David_Addison]

Thanks Simon! Lacking a video to show you my workflow is: expose for the tones you value and want to protect then take advantage of the file’s dynamic range later. It’s very out of date but my ‘Full RAW workflow’ video from 2020 should help you.

[@simonharper8978]

@@David_Addison Thanks mate, will seek out the video and give it a watch. Trying to get back into my photography again so this will no doubt be a massive help.

[@deavo74]

I remember my first raw pic on Camera + and thought WTF! Lol. Ahhhh memories.

[@David_Addison]

WTF then, now, forever 😂

[@deavo74]

@@David_Addison Pretty much yeah!

[@Neppis]

I would like to know your opinion on the iphone 14 Pro Max 48MP ProRaw

[@IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllllll]

Its shit get a good camera app

[@Supperconductor]

Long time DSLR shooter from the film days and digital for a long time now. Today I learned something: "Bayer RAW". Now off to fiddle with my iPhone to see what it can REALLY do, thanks!

[@Zn.04]

Daveeeee

[@robvanspauwen]

Thanks for the explanaition David, i`ve been figuring this out for myself the last couple of weeks since getting my 14pro. Could you give me your opinion on what the best app + settings would be for shooting realistic close up portraits in a well lighted photo studio? Currently find myself switching back and forth between the native app and ProRaw files and the Halide app set on Raw+Heic to edit in LR on the iPad. Oh, i`m using the telephoto lens. Thanks, great channel👍🏻

[@David_Addison]

I'm glad you like the video but it's impossible for me to recommend settings. Personally, in the situation you describe, I'd probably go with ProRAW in the native camera app and use the exposure compensation.

[@zisanahmed8347]

Bro, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro can take 12 bit colour depth photo when ProRaw turned on. But iPhone 14 Pro and 15 Pro can only take 10 bit colour depth photo when ProRaw turned on. Why ? I don't have an iPhone, so can anyone please let me know if you turn ProRaw in 12 megapixel instead of 48 megapixel, can it take 12 bit photos ? I'm curious about this because, 12-bit = 68 billion colours. But, 10-bit = 1.07 billion colours. That's a huge difference. If iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro cannot take 12 bit photos, that seems to be a huge downgrade !

[@CallMeRabbitzUSVI]

Is this video shot in Cinematic mode?!?! It looks weird

[@David_Addison]

It certainly is

[@MikelManitius]

Thanks David. I actually learned something (about Halide’s manual exposure display). And as usual your video is well written and narrated. But… what’s with the overexposed video of you talking, and the choice of a non-contrasting t-shirt… you look a bit green and sickly. And where are those cool round glasses? The video exposure of this one is not as good as your previous ones.

[@David_Addison]

I'm not over exposed at all. Maybe send me a screenshot on Twitter of how the video looks to you?

[@Zn.04]

Dave please answer my question 😫😫😫😫😫

[@David_Addison]

What question?

[@Zn.04]

@@David_Addison Is Halide the only raw camera app that has a 14bit viewfinder when in manual? I recently just refunded my latest payment from Halide to switch to CameraPixels, as you’ve suggested it has more features. We need an update on the best raw camera apps! I’m sort of conflicted with the pros and cons of all of these apps but I think camerapixels holds a relatively strong place with its bracketing features. I just wanted to know what you think? Big fan btw!

[@Zn.04]

@@David_Addison Daveeee

[@yamahaevo]

@@Zn.04 Did you find out?

[@ScottBaker1]

Shuuuuuuuuuuummmm. shoot this on iphone cinematic mode?

[@David_Addison]

Shhhoooooooohhhhh yeah! Cinematic mode + Reeflex 60mm telephoto. I promise my next video has a lot more shuummmmmm in it 😂

[@a-n-d-r-e-a-s]

@@David_Addison A lot of shuuuuuuummm with a soft stop. ;)

[@David_Addison]

@@a-n-d-r-e-a-s The soft stop makes it!

[@NotasDaLydia]

Dave, great vid! 🤍 Could you pls let me know what lav you’re using? Just loved the sound! Tried the links in the description, but they don’t seem to work 😢 Ty!

[@David_Addison]

Sorry, I cut all my Amazon links recently. It's the Comica Vimo-C3. Here's my review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaennGmrltp8jdk

[@NotasDaLydia]

@@David_Addison Ty so much!!