iPhone 17 Pro Max: Best Camera Apps + Photographic Styles?

[steelslicerx]

After years of bouncing between ecosystems, I’ve finally switched fully back to an iPhone 17 Pro Max and I genuinely believe this is Apple’s most enjoyable iPhone camera setup yet.

Now I’m on a mission to create the ultimate photography setup on iPhone – not a bunch of apps, just the absolute best ones.

So I’d love to ask the photographers here:

What are your must-have camera apps on the 17 Pro Max?

• Which apps actually produce noticeably better photos than the stock Camera app?
• Which apps feel the most “iPhone-like” in terms of smoothness and reliability?
• Best apps for:
  • Natural colours
  • Cinematic video
  • Film simulations
  • RAW workflow
  • Low light
  • Quick point-and-shoot photography

I’m also curious about everyone’s favourite Photographic Styles settings.

Currently, I find Apple’s default processing can sometimes look a bit too HDR/sharpened. I’d love to know:

• Which style are you using?
• Tone/colour values?
• Are you using the new adaptive styles or sticking to classic looks?
• Any custom setups that make the iPhone look more “real camera” and less smartphone?

I’d especially appreciate input from people who’ve used apps like:

• Mood.camera
• Halide
• Blackmagic Camera
• Kino
• Varlens
• Leica Lux
• VSCO
• ProCamera
• Final Cut Camera

I’m trying to find that perfect balance between “shoot fast like an iPhone” and “look like a dedicated camera.”