PicWay isn’t out yet. We’re still finishing the details, and it isn’t on the App Store. Get an email when it’s out

How do I get a cinematic look on iPhone photos?

The short answer

Usually it is a mix: a Photographic Style or filter, a few edits to contrast, shadows and warmth, and the same look applied to every shot. On iPhone you can set a style in Camera, then edit in Photos. In PicWay, you can save your edits as a custom filter and reuse it.

Last updated:

How to do it

  1. Pick a base look in Camera

    In the Camera app, if your iPhone supports Photographic Styles, choose a style before you shoot. Pick one and keep using it so your shots match.

  2. Fine-tune in Photos

    Open a photo in Photos, tap Edit, and adjust things like Contrast, Shadows, Highlights and Warmth a little at a time.

  3. Save the look in PicWay

    In PicWay, open a photo, tap Edit, set your filter and adjustments, then tap Save filter.

  4. Reuse it on photos and videos

    Open another photo or video in PicWay, tap Edit, then Filters. Your look is under Custom filters. Tap it once.

There is rarely one secret setting. A “cinematic” feed usually comes from a short list of choices applied the same way every time. We can’t tell from the post which of these that person uses, but these are the usual ones.

What are the usual ways to get that look?

MethodWhat it doesWhere
Photographic StylesAdjusts specific colors in different parts of a photo to give it a customized lookCamera, on supported models
Cinematic modeRecords video with a soft background and focus that shifts between subjectsCamera, on iPhone 13 and later
EditingChanges contrast, shadows, highlights and warmth after the shotPhotos, Edit
Filter or presetApplies a saved set of color choices in one tapAn editing app

Apple describes Photographic Styles this way: “On supported models, Photographic Styles intelligently adjust specific colors in different parts of your photos to create a customized look” (Use Photographic Styles with your iPhone camera, Apple Support).

Is it a filter, a preset or manual settings?

Often all three. A filter or preset is just manual settings that someone saved. The look holds together across photos and videos because the same settings are used each time. Slightly lower brightness, a touch more contrast, deeper shadows, a warm or cool tint and a little grain are common choices.

How can I reuse the same look every time?

Pick one style in Camera and keep it. Then edit with the same few sliders. If you would rather not repeat that, save the result. A saved filter is a preset you make yourself.

How does PicWay help?

In PicWay’s editor you can set a filter and adjust Brilliance, Highlights, Shadows, Contrast and Warmth, plus Grain. Tap Save filter to keep that mix. It then appears under Custom filters, and you can apply it to other photos, Live Photos and videos with one tap. Saving edits as a filter has the full steps.

Can I use the same look on video?

Yes, for color. Videos have Filters in PicWay’s editor, and your custom filters are there too. Cinematic mode’s background blur is recorded in Camera, so a filter doesn’t add that.