Halide Mark III Doubles Down on AI-Free iPhone Pictures

Lux, the makers of fashionable iPhone digicam app Halide, have launched a public preview of Halide Mark III. While Lux is providing only a first take a look at Halide Mark III proper now, it has taken the wraps off an enormous new function: Looks.

Halide Mark III’s preliminary reveal arrives about 5 years after Halide Mark II, which launched an all-new design, improved RAW picture seize know-how, and extra. In the years since, Halide Mark II obtained many vital updates and transformative options, together with a really spectacular new picture processing pipeline known as “Process Zero” in mid-2024. Process Zero makes use of no AI and options no computational pictures, promising actually natural-looking iPhone pictures.

There are two new Looks: the primary is Process Zero II. This up to date model of the acclaimed Process Zero guarantees main upgrades, together with HDR help, the flexibility to make use of it in Night Mode, and the choice to make use of it with Apple’s ProRAW picture format.

Process Zero II guarantees extra vivid and real looking photographs, nonetheless with none algorithms or computational pictures. The upgraded engine additionally provides tone-editing help, letting photographers recuperate among the shadows and highlights they sometimes lose when utilizing Process Zero. However, for these anxious this can make Process Zero pictures look extra like common iPhone pictures, Lux says the outcomes will probably be “much more subtle” than the iPhone’s native digicam app. The examples beneath present what Lux means.

The second new Look is named Chroma Noir, which is constructed on Halide Mark III’s new analog-inspired Film Engine.

“Over the last three years, we took a deep into the details of analog photography that give it its charm, and emerged with an original film-simulation engine,” Lux explains. “To showcase a few of its powers, we’re launching our first simulation: a black and white look we name ‘Chroma Noir.’”

Chroma Noir guarantees a novel mix of recent imaging know-how and lo-fi, old-school allure. The Look works with HDR, which Lux says “really works” regardless of sounding like a contradiction. Of course, HDR may be disabled. In truth, the movie simulation that provides Chroma Noir its distinct old-school look may be turned off, too, leaving only a very good black-and-white pictures mode.

Today’s Halide Mark III is simply step one within the full Mark III launch anticipated later this 12 months. As its developer explains, that is only a style. There will probably be a brand new design, many extra Looks, and rather more coming to Halide Mark III. The app’s full set of Looks is being developed by colorist and picture scientist Cullen Kelly, who has carried out colour modifying and grading on Oscar-nominated movies and high-profile tasks for HBO, Netflix, and Apple. Kelly additionally has a YouTube channel devoted to the artwork and science of colour grading. Halide Mark III’s Looks are in glorious arms.

iPhone photographers can get their arms on Halide Mark III’s first preview proper now by clicking the “3” icon contained in the Halide Mark II app. The public preview and closing model of Halide Mark III will probably be out there to all Halide subscribers and anybody who bought Halide Mark II. Subscriptions begin at $19.99 yearly or $59.99 for a one-time buy.

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Image credit: Lux, Halide Camera