Submitted by memology707 t3_11vhrk2 in iphone
DarkNet-Magic t1_jcteieq wrote
Unfortunately, Apple really screwed up (in a lot of customers’ eyes) with their AI processing. When using the phone like normal, like an average everyday user, their idea was that you take a picture and it comes out looking “professional” using their post processing. Honestly, this has done alright on their previous model iPhones, but the iPhone 14s just didn’t adapt well for some reason. I too noticed this right off the bat when I took my first photos on my iPhone 14 Pro Max. They actually didn’t even look too bad, but then I went to Walgreens to print some of those photos, and my God were they horrid.
To remove the artificial post-processing, you will need to take photos in “ProRAW”, as this is the setting designed more for the professional photographers. The photos are taken in an uncompressed format (so the file size will be significantly larger), but there is no automatic post-processing applied to ProRAW photos (unless you are using “Night Mode”). ProRAW is designed to capture the photo without any tweaks being done by the software, this way the photographer can apply their own custom edits as necessary without AI interfering.
Now again, while ProRAW will utilize the camera without the AI post-processing, the file sizes will be significantly larger. As an example, I took two photos of the exact same item. One is in normal format, the other in ProRAW. I forced the camera to take both photos using the 12MP lens:
Photo #1 (Normal Format): 12MP @ 910 KB
Photo #2 (ProRAW Format): 12MP @ 17.3 MB
That means Photo #2 takes up approximately 20 times more storage than Photo #1
Now, if you’re not using an iPhone Pro, then the highest resolution photo you can take is 12MP. As you probably know, the “Pro” models have a 48MP camera. When taking a photo in the normal format, the highest resolution will still be 12MP, but in ProRAW format, the resolution will be 48MP on the Main Camera. Again, to compare the two formats:
Photo #1 (Normal Format): 12MP @ 1.1 MB
Photo #2 (ProRAW Format): 48MP @ 61.6 MB
That means Photo #2 takes up approximate 60 times more storage than Photo #1
While it would take a while to really put a dent in your storage with uncompressed photos alone, there is still a way to take the photos in ProRAW (so you can avoid the post-processing) while having the photo only take up as much storage as the normal format.
I personally use an app called “JPEG to PNG” which lets you convert your ProRAW photos into .jpeg or .png files, at the same time, it compresses the ProRAW photo down to the file size of the normal format. The app is completely free, and you can do unlimited conversions. This is the best free app I was able to find that didn’t make you buy a subscription after your first few conversions. I highly recommend it.
Also, luckily, we don’t have the same issue with post-processing when recording videos, but I did want to mention another app called “MovP4” in case you ever come up with a need for it. It literally does the same thing as “JPEG to PNG”, but for videos instead. Meaning, you can take the ridiculously large, uncompressed ProRes videos and convert to a .mp4 file (which greatly reduces the file size). For example, I converted a 40 second ProRes video from 3.87 GB down to a 128.1 MB .mp4 file. Again, this app is also completely free, and doesn’t make you buy a subscription after a few conversions.
I have attached screenshots of both apps within the App Store so you know which apps I’m referring to. Neither of these apps are anything fancy, they don’t convert to every file format under the sun. However, they do convert to the most commonly used image and video formats easily, quickly, and for free. So, there’s no reason to complain!
Sorry for the extremely long answer, however, I really hope it helps!
Paramedic_Round t1_jctrete wrote
I used proRAW but it still made the AI enhancement.
DarkNet-Magic t1_jculp3q wrote
When you say “AI Enhancement”, can you describe a little more what type of enhancements you’re noticing while shooting in ProRAW?
Paramedic_Round t1_jcvqorl wrote
You know those moments when you take a new pic, quickly click on the bottom right to view it, the photo appears fine for 1-2 secs then it suddenly changes for the better or worse, it’s like the pixels suddenly shifted?
Canaris1 t1_jcwlfvb wrote
Raw pics do that... for about ten seconds they are in processed mode then they go to the lackluster looking raw format. Thats when you apply your own processing.
Paramedic_Round t1_jcwlmub wrote
How can we definitely say that the phenomenon is going from processed to raw, instead of the other way around?
nightwatch_admin t1_jcuf4e7 wrote
Their post AI processing was horrendous on the 13 as well, I don't know about earlier models as I came straight from an 8... I am really unhappy with it, and Halide is not helping for some reason,.
DarkNet-Magic t1_jcuxj89 wrote
I honestly don’t understand why Apple’s developers couldn’t have coded a simple “On/Off” toggle switch that disables all AI Processing. They also could develop the ability to select different “levels” or “intensities” of AI Processing (Full Enhancement, Partial Enhancement, No Enhancement). Apple has complete control over how their software and chip process photos - that’s the benefit of Apple developing their own software and hardware, they literally have complete control over how their products interact with each other.
Unfortunately, Apple has managed to keep themselves convinced (probably through their shitty Focus Groups) that their AI Processing is the bees knees, and that everyone loves it. Yet, how many complaints do we see daily just in this subreddit alone complaining about their AI Processing? Surely they are aware of the displeasure so many of their users feel towards the cameras doing almost all of the thinking for us.
Not to mention, Apple is really doing a disservice to their amazing camera sensors by allowing the software to all but ruin a good chunk of photos. I would like to add, it does appear that the AI Processing is much more noticeable when taking 12MP photos, not nearly as bad when taking 48MP photos. This is my personal experience anyway.
AloofCommencement t1_jcvj4oj wrote
It's indicative of iOS as a whole, and it's disappointing. At one point I thought Apple were moving away from that by giving users a bit more control, but it feels like one step forward, two large steps back. Or, if you prefer, monkey paw.
You want a full app list and to have greater customisation of Home Screen with widgets? Okay, but you get app folders that are absolutely not under your control. Not only will apps sort into folders you don't want them to be in with no override, but we will also move the folders so you don't even get a chance to have muscle memory for the bad decisions made for you.
I am ultimately happy with my XR, but this may well be my last iPhone as well as my first.
tbone338 t1_jcv0gm7 wrote
This app you’re recommending, does it keep Apple’s SmartHDR effect?
DarkNet-Magic t1_jcvc1d2 wrote
Unfortunately, HDR is not retained in the conversion.
The app (MovP4) converts the video into an .mp4, and saves in a H.264 codec (which does not support HDR).
tbone338 t1_jcvc78i wrote
Dang okay. I’m looking for a way to process ProRAW photos while keeping the hdr effect so I don’t have to take both ProRAW and a jpg.
DarkNet-Magic t1_jcwmxps wrote
I misunderstood you, I thought you were referring to the video conversion app retaining HDR. I didn’t realize you were asking about the photo conversion app.
In regards to the photo conversion app (JPEG to PNG), I really only have a partial answer. When converting from ProRAW to .jpg, theoretically it should retain HDR, but I honestly don’t have a solid answer. Two reasons for this:
1). I’m not sure which version of .jpg the app converts to. If it converts to JPEG2000, then it would retain HDR. However, regardless, converting to a .png should retain HDR because .png does support HDR.
2). Since I have an iPhone 14 Pro, I unfortunately do not have the ability to manually enable and disable HDR photos, because the phone decides by itself whether it will shoot any given photo in HDR based on the environmental conditions.
If your phone does have the ability to manually toggle HDR “On” or “Off”, I would suggest taking a ProRAW photo with HDR enabled. If you then open the photo and tap on the “Information” button (the “I” in the circle), in the section that displays the photo resolution and size, there should be a badge that says, “HDR”. This confirms that the original ProRAW photo has HDR enabled.
If you then try converting that ProRAW photo to a .jpg in the photo conversion app, open the converted photo and tap on the “Information” button and see if there is still an HDR badge or not. If the HDR badge is not there, you could could also try to convert the original ProRAW to a .png and see if the HDR badge is still there.
iSamurai t1_jcvn8w9 wrote
ProRAW still has processing. Only regular RAW doesn’t
gregra193 t1_jcvo2u0 wrote
How did you print the photos at Walgreens? Could be a quality issue with the printing. When you used to upload to Walgreens online, you needed to change an option on the upload screen to prevent it from compressing the photo before upload.
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