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TechQuiet 11d · day 12

Rian Johnson's Chromagraph Camera app brings 'Knives Out' cinematography to iPhone

The $13 app uses cinematographer Steve Yedlin's color processing from Johnson's films, becoming the top paid iOS download after its October launch.

newest coverage 10d agosummary written 10d ago6 pieces8 likes & upvotes MastodonNewswires

What to know

  • Chromagraph Camera applies the same color science and image processing from Rian Johnson's films directly to iPhone photography via RAW processing, not filters.
  • The $13 app became the top paid iOS download after Johnson's social media promotion in late October 2026.
  • Steve Yedlin positions the app as a curated, 'opinionated' aesthetic tool rather than a professional replacement or attempt at photographic neutrality.
  • The app shoots RAW data and processes photos after capture, showing the final look only in the gallery—mimicking film development workflow.

“I really enjoyed capturing some of San Francisco's fall vibes using the Chromagraph Camera. Although Apple gives iPhone owners plenty of built-in tools for adjusting the color on your own images, I loved this app's ability to capture highly stylized shots without me needing to fiddle with anything at all.”

Reece Rogers, Wired reporter · Wired ↗

Rian Johnson Director, app promoterSteve Yedlin Cinematographer, app developerEric Cameron Programmer

Rian Johnson's Chromagraph Camera app brings 'Knives Out' cinematography to iPhone
wired.com

How it unfolded 3 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 3 pieces in 3h at Oct 30, 4 PM; 6 pieces over 12 days (3 articles · 3 posts) Oct 30, 4 PM — 3 pieces · 1 article · 2 posts — Mastodon 2, Newswires 1Oct 30, 7 PM — quietOct 30, 10 PM — quietOct 31, 1 AM — quietOct 31, 4 AM — quietOct 31, 7 AM — quietOct 31, 10 AM — quietOct 31, 1 PM — quietOct 31, 4 PM — quietOct 31, 7 PM — quietOct 31, 10 PM — quietNov 1, 1 AM — quietNov 1, 3 AM — quietNov 1, 6 AM — 3 pieces · 2 articles · 1 post — Mastodon 2, Newswires 1Nov 1, 9 AM — quietNov 1, 12 PM — quietNov 1, 3 PM — quietNov 1, 6 PM — quietNov 1, 9 PM — quietNov 2, 12 AM — quietNov 2, 3 AM — quietNov 2, 6 AM — quietNov 2, 9 AM — quietNov 2, 12 PM — quietNov 2, 3 PM — quietNov 2, 6 PM — quietNov 2, 9 PM — quietNov 3, 12 AM — quietNov 3, 3 AM — quietNov 3, 6 AM — quietNov 3, 9 AM — quietNov 3, 12 PM — quietNov 3, 3 PM — quietNov 3, 6 PM — quietNov 3, 9 PM — quietNov 4, 12 AM — quietNov 4, 3 AM — quietNov 4, 6 AM — quietNov 4, 9 AM — quietNov 4, 12 PM — quietNov 4, 3 PM — quietNov 4, 6 PM — quietNov 4, 9 PM — quietNov 5, 12 AM — quietNov 5, 3 AM — quietNov 5, 6 AM — quietNov 5, 9 AM — quietNov 5, 12 PM — quietNov 5, 3 PM — quietNov 5, 6 PM — quietNov 5, 9 PM — quietNov 6, 12 AM — quietNov 6, 3 AM — quietNov 6, 6 AM — quietNov 6, 9 AM — quietNov 6, 12 PM — quietNov 6, 3 PM — quietNov 6, 6 PM — quietNov 6, 9 PM — quietNov 7, 12 AM — quietNov 7, 3 AM — quietNov 7, 6 AM — quietNov 7, 9 AM — quietNov 7, 12 PM — quietNov 7, 3 PM — quietNov 7, 6 PM — quietNov 7, 9 PM — quietNov 8, 12 AM — quietNov 8, 3 AM — quietNov 8, 6 AM — quietNov 8, 9 AM — quietNov 8, 12 PM — quietNov 8, 3 PM — quietNov 8, 6 PM — quietNov 8, 9 PM — quietNov 9, 12 AM — quietNov 9, 3 AM — quietNov 9, 6 AM — quietNov 9, 9 AM — quietNov 9, 12 PM — quietNov 9, 3 PM — quietNov 9, 6 PM — quietNov 9, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 3 AM — quietToday, 6 AM — quietToday, 9 AM — quietToday, 12 PM — quietToday, 3 PM — quietToday, 6 PM — quiet 1–23
Oct 31Nov 1Nov 2Nov 3Nov 4Nov 5Nov 6Nov 7Nov 8Nov 9yesterdaynow · 8:40 PM ET
  1. 3

    Wired interviews Steve Yedlin on the app's color science and creative philosophy

    In an interview with Wired, cinematographer Steve Yedlin explained the technical foundation of Chromagraph Camera—how it shoots RAW data and applies the 'same color math' he uses in film production—and articulated his philosophy that all photography is interpretation, not neutrality. He emphasized the app is 'opinionated' and specific to his and Johnson's aesthetic preferences, not an attempt to replace professional tools or the iPhone's standard camera app.

    “I write all of my own image processing that we use on the movies. It's just this curated app that takes the pictures the way we like.”
    — Steve Yedlin
  2. 1 day quiet
  3. 2

    Chromagraph Camera reaches top of iOS App Store paid downloads

    After Johnson promoted the app on social media in late October, Chromagraph Camera quickly became the top paid download in the iOS App Store's Photo & Video category.

  4. 1

    Rian Johnson launches Chromagraph Camera app with Steve Yedlin's color processing

    Director Rian Johnson introduced Chromagraph Camera, an iPhone app developed by cinematographer Steve Yedlin that uses the same image processing techniques from his 'Knives Out' and 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' films. The app costs $12.99 (or $13), shoots RAW image data, and processes photos after capture rather than applying filters.

    “Chromagraph skips that processing and uses its own methods for the curated look preferred by director Rian Johnson and cinematographer Steve Yedlin.”
    — 9to5Mac, Tech publication · source
    1. 2 outlets The Hollywood Color Nerd Who Shot ‘Knives Out’ Explains His Viral iPhone Camera App

      first by Mastodon, 10d ago · also Wired

    2. 1 outlet ‘Knives Out’ director launches iPhone camera app that shoots like his movies

      first by 9to5Mac, 12d ago