ProRAW Photos Soften Drastically Upon Editing - Anyone Else?

[macsince2008]

Hi everyone,

I've noticed something that's a bit frustrating with ProRAW photos on my iPhone 16 Pro Max. When I view a ProRAW image in the Photos app, it initially appears sharp and well-processed, almost like a really good HEIF Max image. However, the instant I tap "Edit," the image softens significantly. It's clearly reverting to the unprocessed RAW data, which I understand is the point of ProRAW, but it makes it very difficult to even start editing because the initial "pop" is completely gone.

I've tried various editing techniques within the Photos app and even some third-party apps like Apple Photos, Lightroom etc., but I can't seem to get the sharpness and overall look back to what it was initially. It feels like Apple's initial processing is being completely discarded.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, have you found any effective workarounds or editing techniques to bring back that initial sharpness and vibrancy? I'm really hoping to find a way to either preserve that initial look or easily recreate it in editing. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[cupcakes2000]

It feels like Apple's initial processing is being completely discarded.

I don’t really know how Apple do it and how it works in their photos app - but that’s most likely exactly what is happening.

RAW photos are just that - raw, no processing, but in most cases when they’re taken, there is a processed (according to the software on any particular camera) version which is embedded into the RAW file, and is used as the preview.

If you’re happy with the preview, and always try and match the edit but fail, then I have to ask why you feel the need to initially record the photo using the raw format in the first place.

I would stick with shooting in JPEG, or HIEF.

 

[macsince2008]

I don’t really know how Apple do it and how it works in their photos app - but that’s most likely exactly what is happening.

RAW photos are just that - raw, no processing, but in most cases when they’re taken, there is a processed (according to the software on any particular camera) version which is embedded into the RAW file, and is used as the preview.

If you’re happy with the preview, and always try and match the edit but fail, then I have to ask why you feel the need to initially record the photo using the raw format in the first place.

I would stick with shooting in JPEG, or HIEF.

Thanks for the reply! I understand what you're saying about the embedded JPEG preview in RAW files. However, my issue isn't so much about matching the preview's edit, but rather that the initial display of the ProRAW photo in the Photos app on my iPhone looks significantly different (and much more appealing) than the actual embedded JPEG preview.

To clarify:
* Initial Display: When I first open a ProRAW photo in the Photos app, before I even tap "Edit," it appears sharp, vibrant, and well-processed. This initial view seems to have some additional processing applied beyond just the embedded JPEG preview.
* The "Edit" Switch: The moment I tap "Edit," the image changes dramatically. It softens considerably, losing that initial "pop." It's clear it's switching to the unprocessed RAW data.
* Embedded JPEG vs. Initial Display: The embedded JPEG preview is indeed sharper than the unprocessed RAW, but it doesn't quite match the initial look I'm seeing when I first open the photo. The initial display has something extra applied to it.

My question is: What is this extra processing that Apple applies to the initial display of ProRAW photos? And, more importantly, is there any way to either preserve that processing when editing or reliably recreate it?
I understand the benefits of RAW for editing, but I'm finding that the initial look is often exactly what I want, and it's frustrating to lose it.

If I wanted just a processed image, I would indeed shoot in HEIF Max. But I want the flexibility of RAW and the option to easily achieve that initial look when I need it.
Hopefully, this clarifies my question.

Thanks again for your input!

 

[cupcakes2000]

Thanks for the reply! I understand what you're saying about the embedded JPEG preview in RAW files. However, my issue isn't so much about matching the preview's edit, but rather that the initial display of the ProRAW photo in the Photos app on my iPhone looks significantly different (and much more appealing) than the actual embedded JPEG preview.

To clarify:
* Initial Display: When I first open a ProRAW photo in the Photos app, before I even tap "Edit," it appears sharp, vibrant, and well-processed. This initial view seems to have some additional processing applied beyond just the embedded JPEG preview.
* The "Edit" Switch: The moment I tap "Edit," the image changes dramatically. It softens considerably, losing that initial "pop." It's clear it's switching to the unprocessed RAW data.
* Embedded JPEG vs. Initial Display: The embedded JPEG preview is indeed sharper than the unprocessed RAW, but it doesn't quite match the initial look I'm seeing when I first open the photo. The initial display has something extra applied to it.

My question is: What is this extra processing that Apple applies to the initial display of ProRAW photos? And, more importantly, is there any way to either preserve that processing when editing or reliably recreate it?
I understand the benefits of RAW for editing, but I'm finding that the initial look is often exactly what I want, and it's frustrating to lose it.

If I wanted just a processed image, I would indeed shoot in HEIF Max. But I want the flexibility of RAW and the option to easily achieve that initial look when I need it.
Hopefully, this clarifies my question.

Thanks again for your input!

I did a few tests, and I don't understand what you're referring to really. If I shoot a picture in RAW, and go to the photos app to view it, one must assume that is the embedded jpg. If I then tap through to edit, then one must assume that that is the unprocessed RAW - thus with the caveats you have noticed. I don't see this 3rd version.

How are you viewing the imbedded jpg and comparing it with this 3rd facet of processing you have noticed? You have correctly deduced the differences in the photos app viewer v's the editor, but I don't understand what this initial view can possibly be. The only things I can think of, but this doesn't apply to RAW photos, is that final stage of a live photo, where the final frame kind of comes into its own, and the extra processing you see is HDR. Boosting the white point past what traditionally has been possible really makes photos pop. This is possible to achieve, although I'm not sure if you can do it in the photos app.

I'm not familiar with RAWs on the phone really, I dabble with them a bit, a lot in the past, but I generally use my phone as a point and shoot as I find the whole thing too awkward on a phone. I am a professional photographer though, so I fully understand the general concepts. Concept wise, which ever way they're editing the photos can be replicated by you, although maybe not in the 1st party photos app, depending on its features.

A final point is, you mentioned that you understand the benefits of RAW editing, and you're right. It's the only option for extensive editing. But if you're satisfied with the results of the jpg the iphone produces, and you would aim for that anyway - why bother with RAW in the first place, especially as you're not able to get what you want?

 

[macsince2008]

I did a few tests, and I don't understand what you're referring to really. If I shoot a picture in RAW, and go to the photos app to view it, one must assume that is the embedded jpg. If I then tap through to edit, then one must assume that that is the unprocessed RAW - thus with the caveats you have noticed. I don't see this 3rd version.

How are you viewing the imbedded jpg and comparing it with this 3rd facet of processing you have noticed? You have correctly deduced the differences in the photos app viewer v's the editor, but I don't understand what this initial view can possibly be. The only things I can think of, but this doesn't apply to RAW photos, is that final stage of a live photo, where the final frame kind of comes into its own, and the extra processing you see is HDR. Boosting the white point past what traditionally has been possible really makes photos pop. This is possible to achieve, although I'm not sure if you can do it in the photos app.

I'm not familiar with RAWs on the phone really, I dabble with them a bit, a lot in the past, but I generally use my phone as a point and shoot as I find the whole thing too awkward on a phone. I am a professional photographer though, so I fully understand the general concepts. Concept wise, which ever way they're editing the photos can be replicated by you, although maybe not in the 1st party photos app, depending on its features.

A final point is, you mentioned that you understand the benefits of RAW editing, and you're right. It's the only option for extensive editing. But if you're satisfied with the results of the jpg the iphone produces, and you would aim for that anyway - why bother with RAW in the first place, especially as you're not able to get what you want?

Thanks so much for this! This is the clearest explanation I've seen so far. I think you're spot on about the Photos app applying dynamic processing, maybe even HDR, to the embedded JPEG for display. It makes sense why it disappears when I edit. You're also right that if I prefer that processed look, HEIF Max is probably the smarter choice. I appreciate you taking the time to explain this so thoroughly!