Rian Johnson explains why he had to build his own iPhone camera app

Rian Johnson, known for his love of analog photography, has created Chromagraph Camera, an iOS app that processes iPhone photos to emulate the grainy, contrasty look of his movies. The app, developed by Johnson and his cinematographer Steve Yedlin, offers a few primary settings but provides access to high-quality image processing typically reserved for Hollywood productions.

Johnson often carries his iPhone with him due to its convenience, which contrasts with the cumbersome nature of traditional camera setups. He began experimenting with phone photography early on, even using a Nokia phone with a basic camera for its grainy and funky aesthetic. While smartphone photography has improved, it has also lost some of the unique character of earlier mobile photos.

Johnson initially tried editing photos in Snapseed and using third-party RAW camera apps, but found this process tedious. He then turned to RAW image processing, which allowed him to achieve his desired look. Yedlin's color grading scripts contributed significantly to Johnson's ability to process RAW images. Johnson believes that with the right algorithms and settings, digital images can match the quality of film.

Chromagraph Camera, which is still in its early stages, is drawing attention for its ability to process RAW images and give users a Hollywood-like color grading. Despite its simplicity, the app has gone viral on social media, with users impressed by its results compared to Apple's default camera settings.