With iOS 14.3, Apple has now also made the Apple ProRAW image format available. But what exactly is it? Apple explains:
Apple ProRAW combines the information of a standard RAW format with the iPhone image processing, which offers more flexibility in the manipulation of exposure, color and white balance. With iOS 14.3 or later, the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max can capture images in ProRAW format with any of their cameras, even when using the Smart HDR, Deep Fusion or Night Mode functions.
Apple ProRAW must be activated manually
Before you can take photos in Apple ProRAW, you have to activate the option.
- Settings → Camera → Formats → Apple ProRAW
A new icon is now displayed at the top of the camera app, which you can use to quickly activate or deactivate Apple ProRAW. Note: Photos in Apple ProRAW are up to 30 MB in size!
Austin Mann explains Apple ProRAW
The professional photographer Austin Mann, who has also been commissioned by Apple, has on his blog explains in detail how to use Apple ProRAW and how not to use it. In particularly difficult situations (extremely little light, extremely high dynamic range with super bright lights and dark shadows, mixed light temperatures), Apple ProRAW pays off. Since there is simply more data available, more is possible in post-processing. With corresponding apps, for example Halide (iOS), Lightroom (iOS/Mac) oder RAW Power (iOS/Mac), you can put the finishing touches on your photos. And what that looks like is shown, for example, in the following comparison photo.
Editierte HEREIN-Foto / editierte Apple ProRAW-Foto
But with Apple ProRAW you can’t just snap a better photo. At first glance, the photo with Apple ProRAW often looks worse than the conventional photo. After editing, however, you can clearly see the differences. If the conventional photos are not convincing or seem a little unnatural, you should switch to ProRAW. You just have more control here.
Have a look at Rene Ritchie’s video, in which Austin Mann explains once again how Apple ProRAW works.
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