Halide, the popular iOS pro photography app, released a new version today with a new feature called Process Zero, which doesn't use AI to process images. Lux Optics, the developer of the Halide app, believes this option can be a creative tool for photographers to capture different kinds of snaps.
The company previously allowed users to reduce default image processing in the app. The new option skips the standard image processing and is based on a single-exposure RAW file. Halide uses 12-megapixel RAW DNG files for its Process Zero photos. The company says that using a faster processing pipeline provides a 10-25x speed advantage over Apple's ProRAW capture.
Image credit: Lux Optics
Halide says the new option incorporates natural sensor grain and slight chromatic aberration, so it won't be as useful in low-light conditions, but it will help photographers recreate the look of classic digital cameras.
Photo using Process Zero option Image credit: Lux Optics
Image using system default options Image credit: Lux Optics
Over the past few years, apps like Mood Camera, Lapse, Dispo, and Later Cam have tried to bring back the retro style through various app features and restrictions. Halide's approach is to create a natural look without all the background processing.
“Many of Apple's breakthrough steps in image processing have provided tremendous benefits to our users, and with Process Zero you can see exactly what happens when you strip all of that away,” the company said in a blog post.
“Lux Optics believes strongly that as in-camera photo processing continues to evolve, we want to give photographers processing choice, making it a creative tool just like choosing lenses and film,” he added.
The company has also added a new feature called Image Lab that allows users to adjust exposure and redevelop photos taken with the Process Zero option.
Image credit: Lux Optics
The Halide 2.15 update will be available to all current users, with backwards compatibility for iPhone X and iPhone SE users.
The company offers a one-week annual subscription at a discounted price of $11.99, or you can purchase a lifetime membership option for $59.99.
Earlier this year, Lux Optics released a new app for videographers, Kino, with features like audio level indicators, recording format presets, focus peaking, and RGB waveforms.