Exploring Apple's Photographic Styles: A Feature with Limitations

Apple’s Photographic Styles feature has brought creative flexibility to iPhone photography, allowing users to alter the visual style of their photos post-capture in iOS 18. This update introduced a new editing approach, enabling users to switch styles after taking a shot—an option that offers photographers more control. However, while the feature is enticing, it comes with significant limitations that affect its practicality, especially for users who prioritize compatibility and ease of use.

For many, including users who frequently share or publish images, Apple’s Photographic Styles come with a caveat: the feature only works with photos saved in the HEIC format, not JPEG. Many users, accustomed to saving photos as JPEGs for ease of online use, find this requirement frustrating. Apple’s decision to tie Photographic Styles to HEIC files creates a barrier, as JPEGs offer broader compatibility and simpler workflows for professional use, such as in digital publishing.

The HEIC format has been Apple’s default for years, though restoring from iCloud often retains prior settings, leading many to unknowingly stick with JPEG. This incompatibility can be surprising to those unfamiliar with the specifics of their file settings. Users who want to take advantage of Photographic Styles must switch to HEIC under the Camera’s “Formats” setting, choosing the “High Efficiency” option rather than “Most Compatible.”

Once set to HEIC, the Photographic Styles feature unlocks, allowing for more extensive editing options than before. Users can apply various stylistic effects by swiping through different presets, which resemble the experience of applying Instagram filters. Though this adds significant creative potential, some users find it challenging to settle on a specific look, given that each style dramatically changes the photo’s feel. This stylistic flexibility, though appealing, can make it difficult to achieve precisely the intended look, often requiring additional tweaks within the Photos app.

Additionally, the file format requirement introduces an inconvenience when users wish to share or upload images in universally accepted formats. Converting HEIC files back to JPEG or other formats is necessary, but it’s only practical after transferring files to a computer. The format restriction is a trade-off between creative flexibility and compatibility—one that may be unwelcome for those who need immediate JPEG files.

For many, Photographic Styles fall short due to this need for further editing. While the styles provide a foundation, they often don’t reach the desired result without extra adjustments. Users may find it more efficient to skip Photographic Styles, sticking with the standard filter and manually adjusting photo settings as needed.

The reliance on the HEIC format adds another layer of inconvenience for video files, which are also affected by Apple’s “High Efficiency” setting, saving videos in the HEVC format. Users with specific media format needs may face similar challenges, as HEVC files lack compatibility with some video platforms.

Ultimately, while Photographic Styles enhance creative editing for some, others find the format limitations outweigh the benefits. Apple’s choice to require HEIC for full feature access leaves many users in a dilemma, balancing creative flexibility against the ease and convenience of using JPEG. For those who value compatibility and simple file management, the feature may remain underutilized.