These Awesome Photos of the Milky Way Were Taken on an iPhone 14 Pro

[MacRumors]

One iPhone 14 rumor that never panned out was some sort of astrophotography feature, but that hasn't stopped users from showcasing just what the camera on iPhone 14 Pro models can do when pointed at the night sky.

These fantastic shots shared by MacRumors forum member ToddH were taken using an iPhone 14 Pro Max in Night Mode with the maximum available exposure time of 30 seconds in the Camera app.

Taken at ISO 12,500 and ISO 10,000 using the 12-megapixel setting (Night Mode isn't available when the 48-megapixel setting is on), the images were shot using Apple's ProRAW format and then edited using the mobile version of Lightroom on the iPhone itself.

To get the shot, ToddH says he attached the iPhone 14 Pro Max to a tripod with a Skywatcher tracking device that moves in the opposite direction of the Earth's rotation, making the sky appear still to the camera to avoid elongation and make the stars look pinpoint.

Like the iPhone 13 lineup last year, there was chatter prior to the announcement of the iPhone 14 series that the new devices could offer a specific astrophotography feature – speculation that was further fanned by Apple's choice of graphics to promote its "Far Out" media event. No such feature was forthcoming.

Other users have been sharing their own photos in the same discussion thread.

Article Link: These Awesome Photos of the Milky Way Were Taken on an iPhone 14 Pro

 

[BvizioN]

Pretty impressive, considering this is from a tiny camera of a smartphone that fits in your pocket. Phone cameras have come long away.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

Impressive pictures, nice work!

 

[Shirasaki]

That looks pretty cool, enough to trick some thinking it is taken using professional camera in long exposure.
Also the sky itself looks amazing on that day, plus the special tripod.

 

[orbital~debris]

Incredible! 😯

More iPhone users – more phone users, full stop – should probably take the time to reflect on our place in the galaxy. It might help some things improve around here.

 

[GuruZac]

These are spectacular. Incredible how far smartphone camera/image processing has come.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

Great camera, and great photographer!

 

[danbalsh]

I took these with my 13 Pro last year, his are amazing!

 

[atomic.flip]

Good lord. Taking photos like these with the equipment the photographer used is possible with any decent DSLR and a lease with the proper F-Stop. You actually want higher f-stop as that will ensure more light gets to the censor / film.

Why the iPhone is being touted as being in any way spectacular here is just pandering to the hopeful.

PS: google has had this in their pixel cameras for YEARS now. NO special equipment necessary.

 

[mainemini]

What third party apps allow long exposure times like this?

Would love to try shots like this with Halide.

 

[chfilm]

Nice shots, congrats!

 

[scott Lashville]

It is so beautiful!

 

[Populus]

Congratulations again, @ToddH, you made it to the front page!

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

Amazing!

 

[ItsMeMicke]

I took these with my 13 Pro last year, his are amazing!

Awesome images! Well done!

 

[SoldOnApple]

Every photo is a photo of the Milky Way.

 

[TonyC28]

Impressive! Nice work.

 

[henrikhelmers]

To get the shot, ToddH says he attached the iPhone 14 Pro Max to a tripod with a Skywatcher tracking device that moves in the opposite direction of the Earth's rotation

While the images are nice, this device is the true hero, and the reason why you can have a 30s exposure. With 300 times the light gathered you could reasonably capture the shot hand-held (assuming decent IBIS).

 

[heifetz7]

What kind of tripod / mount did he use? That was probably more expensive than the phone!

 

[Leon Ze Professional]

Impressive and awesome photos. On the second photo you can make out the andromeda galaxy. Sweet!

 

[bLackjackj]

All the more reason to NOT buy a 14 Pro, if this was taken using the exact same settings avail on a 13 Pro. Thanks for that.

 

[no_idea]

Good lord. Taking photos like these with the equipment the photographer used is possible with any decent DSLR and a lease with the proper F-Stop. You actually want higher f-stop as that will ensure more light gets to the censor / film.

Why the iPhone is being touted as being in any way spectacular here is just pandering to the hopeful.

PS: google has had this in their pixel cameras for YEARS now. NO special equipment necessary.

Lol…did you not get your morning coffee yet mr grouchy?

 

[BellSystem]

But how much of this is the actual light captured vs interpolation done by the "AI" element of the software? If the pin point light is just drawn by software where it thinks there is light, not real astrophotography. The AI could easily interpret sensor noise as a star and draw one where there really isn't a star. The camera sensor is not cooled or temperature stabilized so there is going to be variable noise. It just seems like fake photography to me.

 

[Crowbot]

What kind of tripod / mount did he use? That was probably more expensive than the phone!

The tripod had a motor drive made for telescopes that matches the earth's rotation in reverse. So the camera can lock on without the tracks that a normal static mount would give.

 

[nwcs]

So much of a successful shot is in the processing. With light pollution gradients and the inherent noise on a tiny sensor you’re going to have to work to make it look good. This shot looks pretty good. I’m glad they didn’t opt for the “blue” look so many do. Totally unnatural.