Rian Johnson and Steve Yedlin launch Chromagraph iPhone app

Filmmaker Rian Johnson and cinematographer Steve Yedlin have released Chromagraph, a new photography app for iPhone. Developed alongside programmer Eric Cameron, the app is designed to bypass the standard iPhone image processing pipeline to achieve a more cinematic aesthetic.

Unlike typical camera apps that apply filters to processed images, Chromagraph captures RAW image data and applies a custom processing pipeline. This pipeline utilizes the specific color science and image processing techniques that Yedlin has used on Johnson’s film projects, such as the Knives Out trilogy. The resulting images aim to mimic classic film stocks by incorporating specific contrast, grain, and halation.

The app features a simplified user interface with a black and gold theme, prioritizing a point-and-shoot experience over the complex professional settings found in competing apps like Halide. While users can adjust certain outputs via sliders, the core visual style is pre-determined by the creators to provide a consistent filmic look.