When Apple unveiled the iPhone 16 series last month, the camera control stole all the spotlight. It featured in almost every video, review or discussion about the new iPhones. And, a subtle yet significant feature flew under the radar: Photographic Styles. Even I, in my initial review, overlooked it as another usual feature within the camera app. But a recent one-week Europe trip provided the perfect opportunity to put Photographic Styles to the test. Now, gazing at my photo gallery at the end of this trip, I feel overlooking Photographic Styles was a mistake.
As I explored the picturesque landscapes of Bologna, Neuchatel, Zurich, Interlaken, and Grindelwald, Photographic Styles transformed my photography experience. It added depth, creativity, and style to my captures, which would have otherwise taken a few hours of editing and greater knowledge about photography. From casual snappers to seasoned photographers, this feature deserves attention.
In this article, I will take you through my observations and experience with some stunning images that showcase iPhone 16 Pro Max’s camera prowess.
All of us have seen those stunning pictures people taken from the windows of an airplane. I have tried many times and failed miserably. I was attempting the same on my flight from Delhi to Zurich, when I thought of experimenting a bit and started using the Photographic Styles for the first time of this trip. Result? Some extremely good pictures of the clouds with extra drama in almost all the pictures.
Next up was a set of pictures I clicked as the flight crossed the Swiss Alps and no doubt some of these pictures drew a lot of attention on social media. And, all these pictures were clicked at 2x zoom using the telephoto sensor. So, not only they look cool, but they have also retained a lot of details despite zooming in.
The third set that you see below was taken right outside my hotel in Bologna. The first picture is in standard mode, which you may get as soon as you take out your phone and start shooting. It shows great dynamic range and details but what’s missing is the drama. So, I applied the ‘Dramatic’ style and viola – I got that second picture which elevates the mood of a simple composition.
The magic isn’t limited to just skies, as I took the streets of Bologna, I realised, a few styles are perfect for street photography as well. Look at these next two pictures, again clicked at 2x, with ‘Cosy’ and ‘Stark B&W’ styles — they can be easily be the posters of a Rock album.
While all of this is still possible on the edit, Photographic Styles offer a lot of flexibility to casual photographers (like me), eliminating the need for extensive editing knowledge. With just a few taps, you can transform your photos into works of art. This feature levels the playing field, allowing anyone to produce professional-grade images without the hassle of post-processing.
The styles particularly shine when capturing landscapes, adding depth, drama, and emotion to scenes. Whether it’s the serene waters of Lake Zurich or the majestic mountains of Grindelwald, Photographic Styles amplify the natural beauty of these destinations.
While landscapes benefit greatly from Photographic Styles, they also excel in portraits, adding warmth and depth to facial features, creating more intimate and engaging photos. I for my life can’t believe that 2nd picture was clicked on a phone’s camera — that too at 5x zoom. But, that’s how far smartphone photography has come!
Experimenting with different styles for the same scene yielded surprising results. Each style highlighted unique aspects of the landscape, demonstrating the feature’s versatility. The first of the next set of pictures was taken on one of the picturesque trails in Grindelwald, while the second captured in the busy Old Town at the heart of Zurich.
The feature turned out to be equally good while capturing cityscapes or starry skies with stunning clarity and reduced noise. These stunning images of Lake Zurich at night exceeded my expectations.
Until this trip, I didn’t expect realise that Photographic Styles also work on the front camera. While the impact isn’t as much as the rear camera, they do enhance skin tones and textures.
And, if you think it was the European skies, leaving with this last set of pictures that I clicked in an under-construction building in Noida. Don’t just focus on the undertones applied on the picture but also notice how the parts of the buildings are evenly exposed.
However, if you have bought an iPhone 16 model or are planning to buy one, do remember a few things – you won’t hit the bulls eye with Photographic Styles from the word go. It will take sometime to understand how different styles behave to different light conditions and even if you do, you will go wrong at times. But, keep these things in mind –
Photographic Styles on the iPhone 16 Pro Max camera are a notable enhancement. While not a game-changer for seasoned photographers, they offer casual snappers a user-friendly way to elevate their photography. They simplify the editing process, offer creative freedom, and enhance image quality. Once you get a taste of them, it’s difficult to go back to taking pictures normally.
