The latest update to the Halide Camera app adds a “zero-AI” image processing option

Popular professional photography app Halide for iOS launched a new version today with a new feature called Process Zero that does not use AI in image processing. Lux Optics, the company behind the Halide app, believes that this option could be a creative tool for photographers who want to take different types of photos.

The company previously allowed users to reduce the app’s default image processing. The new option skips the standard image processing and relies on a single-exposure RAW file. Halide uses 12-megapixel DNG RAW files for Process Zero photos. The company said that using a fast processing pipeline gives it a 10-25x advantage over Apple’s ProRAW capture.

Halide said the new option will feature natural sensor grain and slight color aberrations, so it’s less useful in low-light conditions. However, it will help photographers recreate the classic look of a digital camera.

Over the past few years, apps like Mood Camera, Lapse, Dispo, and Later Cam have tried to bring the retro look back into fashion through various features and app limitations. Halide’s approach is to leave all the processing in the background to create a natural look.

“Apple’s many breakthroughs in imaging bring huge benefits to users, and with Process Zero you can see exactly what happens when you turn all of these features off,” the company wrote in a blog post.

“Lux Optics strongly believes that as in-camera image processing evolves, we want to offer photographers the freedom to choose what they want to process, making it a creative tool much like choosing a lens or film,” it added.

The company is also adding a new feature called Image Lab that allows users to fine-tune exposure and re-develop photos taken with Process Zero.

The Halide 2.15 update will be available for all current users, while the previous version will be compatible with iPhone X and iPhone SE users.

The company offers a discount of $11.99 for a one-week annual subscription. You can also spend $59.99 for a lifetime membership option.

Earlier this year, Lux Optics launched a new app called Cinema for Videographers that offers features such as audio level meters, recording format presets, focus peaking, and RGB waveform.