Robert Schleif
November 2024 - New England Autumn
About the Image(s)
Residing now in Western Massachusetts after 30 years in Maryland, I'm greatly enjoying the Autumn leaf colors here. Because beautiful scenes abound here and my Canon R5 is too big and heavy to have with me at all times, I'm experimenting with smaller cameras.
This was taken with my iPhone 15 Pro at a spot that is about half a mile drive and half a mile hike from where I live. For this kind of shot, the iPhone seems nearly as good as my Canon. This was taken using the camera's raw mode which saves the files in dng file type.
My image editing program can open this file type so no explicit file conversion was necessary. However, the image is only 8 bit color instead of the 16 bit color from my good cmera. Thus, taking pictures with the iPhone in raw mode does provide adequate pixel resolution for sizeable enlargements (8,000 x 6000), and apparently adequate optical resolution for the enlargements, it may not provide for wide latitude of brightness (On the other hand, maybe it does, and within the iPhone raw images may be converted to dng format with some intelligent conversion. Does anyone know?). This image received slight local contrast enhancement and slight sharpening on my PC .
14 comments posted
Since writing the above about using the iPhone camera and about iPhone pictures, I've learned more, and the following could be useful to others.
A bit of web searching revealed that using just the apps that come with the more recent iPhones, what is called "raw" has actually been processed for HDR and low light situations and is then saved in DNG format. Such files can be copied elsewhere and used. If such a "raw" file is exported, say by emailing, the DNG "raw" file will first be converted to jpg.
For the highest resolution and greatest versatility, one's iPhone camera settings should be, Settings/Formats/Camera/ProRAW & Resolution Control--On/ProRAW Max/ (up to 48 MP). This is only available in the Photo mode, not portrait or pano. When taking a picture, after opening the Camera app, it is necessary to turn on RAW MAX by touching the RAW MAX label in the upper right.
To transfer an image from an iPhone to a PC, first open and connect the iPhone to the PC with a USB cable. Open the Photos app on the PC (is automatically installed when Windows 11 is installed). In the Photos app, in the upper right, select "Import", and from the drop down menu select "Apple Phone". Soon the Photos app will display the images stored on the iPhone Photos folder. Select those for transfer, in the upper right select "Add items". Select the target folder (on the PC) in the window that appears. Finally select "Import" at the bottom of the target window. Posted: 11/01/2024 17:52:43
A bit of web searching revealed that using just the apps that come with the more recent iPhones, what is called "raw" has actually been processed for HDR and low light situations and is then saved in DNG format. Such files can be copied elsewhere and used. If such a "raw" file is exported, say by emailing, the DNG "raw" file will first be converted to jpg.
For the highest resolution and greatest versatility, one's iPhone camera settings should be, Settings/Formats/Camera/ProRAW & Resolution Control--On/ProRAW Max/ (up to 48 MP). This is only available in the Photo mode, not portrait or pano. When taking a picture, after opening the Camera app, it is necessary to turn on RAW MAX by touching the RAW MAX label in the upper right.
To transfer an image from an iPhone to a PC, first open and connect the iPhone to the PC with a USB cable. Open the Photos app on the PC (is automatically installed when Windows 11 is installed). In the Photos app, in the upper right, select "Import", and from the drop down menu select "Apple Phone". Soon the Photos app will display the images stored on the iPhone Photos folder. Select those for transfer, in the upper right select "Add items". Select the target folder (on the PC) in the window that appears. Finally select "Import" at the bottom of the target window. Posted: 11/01/2024 17:52:43
Thanks Rob of your sharing. You are very kind, it is new to me and I learn a lot. Very appreciated. Posted: 11/18/2024 02:48:28
Robert, I'm glad you are enjoying my old stomping grounds. New England does have amazing leaf changes.
I photographed my entire trip to Europe with an iphone 14 Pro and every image has won on my Facebook competitions! So surprising! I do use LR and PS to process them.
I've played with your image just a bit. I love the composition, but I thought I'd add more color and soften it to make a more romantic landscape. Posted: 11/03/2024 01:33:35
I photographed my entire trip to Europe with an iphone 14 Pro and every image has won on my Facebook competitions! So surprising! I do use LR and PS to process them.
I've played with your image just a bit. I love the composition, but I thought I'd add more color and soften it to make a more romantic landscape. Posted: 11/03/2024 01:33:35
Thank you for showing your vision on this scene. Posted: 11/03/2024 01:58:50
What a nice place! I was in New England 4 or 5 years ago for the colors.
I edited your photo and increased the saturation on selected parts. I also increased the brightness of the foreground. I then added a tiny amount clarity and dehaze. Finally, I added a tiny amount of vignette to direct the viewer's eye. I think Brenda's version is a bit over saturated. What do you think? Posted: 11/07/2024 16:07:57
I edited your photo and increased the saturation on selected parts. I also increased the brightness of the foreground. I then added a tiny amount clarity and dehaze. Finally, I added a tiny amount of vignette to direct the viewer's eye. I think Brenda's version is a bit over saturated. What do you think? Posted: 11/07/2024 16:07:57
Then, just for fun, I applied the oil-paint filter under crystalize in Photoshop. This made it a whole different image which you might not like but I like how this filter works when applied to vegetation. Posted: 11/07/2024 16:12:38
What an unusual effect. Thanks for showing it. Posted: 11/07/2024 20:03:42
The result of your somewhat subtle changes is an image that, to me, is most comfortable to look at. Thank you. Posted: 11/15/2024 15:51:25
Robert, this is a lovely capture of New England's autumn colors! The iPhone 15 Pro has truly impressive capabilities, and your choice of composition brings out the scene's natural beauty. The added contrast and subtle edits enhance the image beautifully. Well done!
Thank you very much for the additional commentary on how to improve images using the iPhone Raw feature. I have been experimenting for some time and find your notes very informative. Posted: 11/11/2024 17:36:27
Thank you very much for the additional commentary on how to improve images using the iPhone Raw feature. I have been experimenting for some time and find your notes very informative. Posted: 11/11/2024 17:36:27
I like your image and the composition. A minor suggestion is to slightly increase the dark shadows in the bottom right corner and to slightly increase the saturation. Posted: 11/12/2024 12:41:50
In the original, the lower right corner was quite dark, and I lightened it because to me, it seemed to conflict with the feel of the rest of the picture. It is helpful to read that such a feeling is not universal. Posted: 11/15/2024 15:57:10
This is fantastic-the fall colors are beautifully captured and processed, especially impressive since it's taken with a phone camera! I'm not into phone photography yet, but seeing photos like this makes me want to give it a try. There's nothing to suggest for your photo; it's perfect as is. If I were to make any adjustment, I might try a square crop, as both the upper and lower areas are visually dense, making it ideal for that format. I've attached a quick edit to show what I mean. Posted: 11/15/2024 03:54:24
I agree, it does feel very natural in a square format. Thank you. Posted: 11/15/2024 15:53:42
I had stayed at Minnesota for eight years to study my MS and PHD. This photo reminds me of the beautiful autumn scence in Minnesota. I really enjoy the above discussion and the different ways to approach this beautiful landscape. I like Brenda adds more color and soften it, very colorful, and feel a happy autum. I also like the Ed's oil-paint style, very creative and seems to bring out the rhythm of life in trees and leaves. Very appreciated. Posted: 11/18/2024 02:59:04