Adobe's New Free App, Project Indigo, Enhances iPhone Photos with Advanced SLR-Like Features and Computational Photography

Adobe has introduced a new camera app called Project Indigo, aimed at enhancing the photo quality on iPhones. The app is available for free in the App Store and is compatible with all Pro and Pro Max models starting from the iPhone 12, as well as non-Pro models starting from the iPhone 14. Adobe emphasizes that the app leverages advanced computational photography techniques, making it a powerful tool for both amateur and professional photographers. One of the standout features of Project Indigo is its manual controls, allowing users to fine-tune settings such as shutter speed, ISO, exposure, focus, and temperature. This gives photographers more flexibility and control over their shots, similar to what they would have with a digital SLR camera. Another significant enhancement is the app's ability to capture and combine multiple images to produce higher-quality photos. Specifically, Indigo captures up to 32 frames per photo, which helps to reduce noise and avoid blown-out highlights, creating a more natural and detailed image. Most smartphone camera apps tend to overexpose images, leading to a "smartphone look" characterized by overly bright, low-contrast, highly saturated colors that can appear too smooth or soft. Project Indigo addresses this issue by underexposing the shot more strongly than typical apps and then combining the multiple frames to achieve a balanced, SLR-like appearance. This process works for both RAW and JPEG formats, offering photographers the best of both worlds—high quality with manageable file sizes. The app includes two primary photo modes: Photo and Night. The default Photo mode is suitable for most daytime and well-lit scenarios. However, in low-light conditions, Indigo suggests switching to Night mode, which increases the exposure time and captures more frames to ensure clearer and less noisy images. Longer exposure times require steady hands or the use of a tripod to avoid camera shake, making Night mode particularly useful for landscape and astrophotography. To start using Indigo, simply ensure your iPhone model is supported, download the app from the App Store, and experiment with its different modes and manual controls. Comparing the results of photos taken with Indigo against those taken with the built-in Camera app can help users appreciate the app's enhanced capabilities. Looking ahead, Adobe plans to expand the app's offerings. An Android version is in development, and the company is exploring the addition of personalized looks, allowing users to customize the app's output to suit their preferences. Advanced features like a higher-quality portrait mode, panoramic shooting, and video recording are also on the radar. Adobe envisions Indigo as part of a broader vision for an integrated mobile camera and editing experience, leveraging the latest in computational photography and artificial intelligence. The goal is to appeal to a wide range of users, from casual photographers seeking a more professional finish to advanced users requiring precise control and high-quality images. Industry insiders and tech enthusiasts have praised Indigo for its innovative approach to mobile photography. They note that the app's sophisticated computational photography techniques and manual controls bridge the gap between smartphones and traditional cameras, making high-quality photography more accessible and versatile. Adobe's commitment to continuous improvement and planned feature additions suggests that the app will remain a cutting-edge tool in the ever-evolving world of mobile photography. Adobe, known for its suite of professional creative software, continues to innovate in the mobile space. Project Indigo is another step forward in their mission to democratize high-quality photography, making advanced techniques available to a broader audience.