In Pursuit of Artistic Expression

There are numerous tutorials online about color correction, grading, and utilizing Apple’s ProRes log feature, but many of these assume you have a foundational knowledge of video production. What if you don’t?

I’ve faced difficulties in achieving the desired outcomes with the camera, but my determination has led me to significant breakthroughs. I don’t claim to be an expert, but this guide aims to assist you from the ground up in achieving commendable results with your iPhone 15 Pro Max.

I will provide a step-by-step walkthrough of the necessary processes. My approach will involve mimicking the Apple event to some extent, shooting in a controlled environment. If you’re considering the iPhone 15 Pro Max for semi-professional purposes — whether for social media videos, promotional content, or YouTube projects — this guide is for you.

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Essential Accessories

To get started, you’ll likely need to acquire a few accessories. The most essential one is an SSD. Apple highlighted during the September event that large ProRes files wouldn’t burden your iPhone, as they can now be recorded directly to an external SSD. I opted for a 1TB Samsung T7 drive, which perfectly aligns with the 10 Gb/s transfer rates of the USB-C 3 port. This way, you won’t need to spend excessively on storage, especially considering how Apple tends to charge a premium for storage upgrades.

A sturdy cage is also necessary. I chose a model from Neewer, which features multiple mounting points and cold-shoe mounts for microphones if you decide to take that route.

Another handy accessory is a 40 Gb/s L-shaped USB-C mount. It prevents cable interference with the cage, allowing for a centered phone mount.

These items are all you need to start recording. I also bought an Anker hub for additional connectivity options. It connects to the iPhone 15 first, then allows the T7 drive to plug into it via the 10 Gb/s port. You can also connect a microphone, monitor, or even an ethernet cable for wired internet access. This hub greatly expands your possibilities.

Importantly, you can also power your iPhone 15 Pro Max through this hub, ensuring you won’t run out of battery during a shoot. While the setup may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, it certainly gets the job done.

Let’s Get Started

With all your hardware ready, it’s time to take your iPhone 15 and get to work. You may have heard about the free and fantastic Blackmagic app — spoiler alert, it truly lives up to the hype!

The native camera app has limited features, but the Blackmagic app allows you to explore the full potential of your iPhone 15 Pro Max. This is why Apple opted to use this app for their event instead of their own.

Once your drive is connected, launch the Blackmagic app. It may seem overwhelming initially if you lack experience, but I’ll guide you through the settings that have worked well for me.

Let’s navigate the app from left to right. First, select your lens; you’ll want to use the primary 24mm lens for optimal results. Next, adjust the FPS setting — I typically shoot everything at 24 FPS, though the app offers options up to 60 FPS.

Next is shutter speed, which you can set to angle or speed. I prefer locking it at 180 degrees to avoid adjustments when switching between 24 and 60 FPS. The f-stop on the 24mm lens is fixed at f1.8. The ISO setting had me puzzled for weeks, whether I was using the native or the Blackmagic app.

Understanding the iPhone 15 Pro Max Sensor

On my Canon 90D, I typically shoot under studio lights with ISO set to auto or around 250. I adopted this setting on the 15 Pro Max, but the results were disappointing — my face was overexposed while the studio background looked fine.

After adjusting the ISO and moving further from the key light, I still struggled. The breakthrough came when I realized I needed to reduce the intensity of the key light and all other lights. For context, I usually set my Canon's light to 100%, but for decent results on the iPhone, I had to lower it to about 30% or 35%. I also dimmed the fill and hair lights, and with the ISO set around 160, I started achieving better outcomes.

I recommend using a white card or a simple piece of white paper for reference. I keep the White Balance locked on Auto and leave the tint balance untouched. I always enable the grids with a center point, and that’s about it.

A Major Discovery

One significant insight I found was the use of display LUTs. I hadn’t considered them in-camera before, but they are incredibly helpful. In the app, go to settings > LUTs and enable Display LUT. This feature allows you to see nearly what the final edit will look like while shooting. Since I’m not experienced enough to visualize the log footage in post, the display LUT is a game changer.

I also promised to share a money-saving tip. While experimenting with various conversion LUTs for Apple log, I spent quite a bit without achieving the desired look.

In the LUT settings, you can export your LUT selection via AirDrop to your Mac. The free Blackmagic Apple Log to Rec 709 color correction LUT has provided me with the best results. I record in the Apple ProRes 422 HQ codec at 4K, using these settings.

Lastly, regarding monitoring, I initially mounted a monitor on the cage but found it far more effective to mirror the feed back to a Mac for monitoring.

The Unspoken Reality

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: Apple’s use of high-end equipment and a large crew while stating they shot on iPhone.

Some argue this is unfair, but I see it differently. The same setup would have been present even with traditional cinema cameras; they simply swapped out the camera for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

They didn’t attach third-party lenses or ND filters, so in my view, they genuinely shot on an iPhone. What this experience has taught me is that much of the skill comes from the team behind the camera — the crew, lighting experts, and post-production colorists are the unsung heroes.

Is It Worth It?

To be honest, achieving good results requires effort — it’s not a simple plug-and-play scenario.

The Blackmagic app is a valuable tool, but it demands patience. I can’t be the only one who has found it challenging to produce quality footage. The Apple event inspired me; I could see the potential, and it motivated me to push my boundaries.

The talented team Apple assembled likely knew instinctively which settings would yield great results, but not everyone has access to that knowledge.

It took time for me to maximize the Blackmagic app and the 24mm lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but the effort has been worthwhile. I now have so much trust in it that I’m using it for this week’s main video. While it may not achieve the same depth of field or background blur as my Canon, it excels in other aspects. The color accuracy and depth of color clarity are remarkable.

Will I eventually replace my Canon 90D with the iPhone 15 Pro Max? Only time will tell, but I’m thrilled to have begun unlocking its potential!

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Originally published at https://talkingtechandaudio.com on November 22, 2023.