If you’re tired of smartphone photos that look like they’ve been run through an overzealous Instagram filter, Adobe might have just the solution for you. Their latest project, called Indigo, is a groundbreaking camera app designed by computational photography experts that promises to revolutionize how we capture images on our phones.

Developed by camera enthusiasts Florian Kainz and Marc Levoy, Indigo takes a refreshingly thoughtful approach to mobile photography. Unlike standard camera apps that aggressively process images, this app aims to capture photos that look more natural and true to life. It gives users unprecedented control and transparency into the image processing that typically happens behind the scenes.

The app offers two primary capture modes: standard photo and night mode. What makes Indigo unique is its commitment to preserving image authenticity. Instead of over-sharpening details or artificially brightening shadows, the app allows for more nuanced image capture. Its processing technique captures multiple frames and merges them intelligently, resulting in images with less noise and better dynamic range.

One of Indigo’s most compelling features is its RAW file capture. Unlike traditional RAW formats that only capture a single frame, Indigo’s files contain data from multiple merged frames. This approach provides photographers with unprecedented flexibility in post-processing, allowing for more detailed editing and color manipulation.

However, this advanced technology comes with some trade-offs. The app is processor-intensive, which means it can cause your phone to heat up and drain battery life more quickly. It’s definitely not designed for casual users looking for quick snapshots, but rather for photography enthusiasts who are willing to invest time in capturing and editing their images.

While the app is currently in beta and only available on iOS, it represents an exciting glimpse into the future of mobile photography. By prioritizing image authenticity and giving users more control, Indigo challenges the current smartphone camera paradigm and invites users to engage more deeply with the technical aspects of digital image capture.

For those who geek out over image processing and want more control over their smartphone photography, Adobe’s Project Indigo might just be the game-changing app you’ve been waiting for.