When we first looked at the Leica LUX app, we focused on how closely Leica was able to recreate the look of some of its most iconic lenses and color profiles. Now, Leica is pushing its first major update to the app, bringing looks made in collaboration with its iconic photographers. This first update uses a Tri-X (film) inspired look cooked up by photographer Greg Williams.
“Artist Looks” and Quality of Life Updates
Jumping right into the latest update, the biggest change comes in the option for what Leica calls “Artist Looks.” At the time of this publishing, Leica has one look created with British photographer Greg Williams. At its core, the Greg Williams Look takes Williams’s cinematic style and brings the filmic recipe to the LUX app. If you’re into inky blacks and contrasty images that feel like old newspaper images, this is a look that will surely please.
Outside of the new (definitely not a) filter, the LUX app also received a handful of quality-of-life updates, like the ability to save favorite “looks” and any associated changes you might have made (in my case, increasing the contrast to the Greg Williams look).
Leica LUX App Review: The Greg Williams Look
Greg Williams has quite the portfolio and is arguably one of the most influential photographers of our time. Williams has shot celebrities ranging from Margot Robbie to Daniel Craig, and while I don’t think this change to the app will land me a shoot with either (though if you’re reading this, I’m available), the Greg Williams look is perfect for some street photography on a rainy day.
In using the app, I’ve found that bringing down the exposure value to -1 and slightly increasing the filter’s contrast settings yields some of the best results, especially if you’re looking for that Tri-X look that the filter tries to duplicate. When shooting in this filter, take advantage of the medium – that is, look for shots that will accentuate the stark differences between your highlights and shadows.
Speaking of Tri-X, at The Phoblographer, we’re uniquely positioned to compare statements like “inspired by x film emulsion.” We’re one of the few outlets with the breadth of photography coverage, so we can examine film samples and compare them to the promises that any app makes. In this case, the Greg Williams Look does achieve a classic black-and-white film look that is comparable to Tri-X 400, though clearly made with a phone.
Side by Side Samples
Overall, I’m pleased with the look of the Leica Lux app—it offers a bit of character without going overprocessed. It’s clearly a big step up from what most smartphone cameras offer natively and leaps and bounds better than any IG filter.
Additional Sample Images
All image samples were taken on an Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max with the Leica LUX app and Greg Williams Artist Look.
Leica’s March Toward the Future by Honoring Its Past
There aren’t many brands with the kind of storied past that Leica has, and while it’s easy to rest on its accomplishments of yesteryear, Leica is constantly looking for new ways to push innovation and photography forward while still honoring its past. To me, that’s what’s most impressive about the Lux app. Instead of slapping a logo on a half-done filter, Leica has taken a considerable amount of care to give a true Leica experience to smartphone photographers. In terms of marching forward, Leica has also announced that this will be the first of many artist collaborations, bringing the unique vision and execution of some of today’s master photographers and making their process accessible for the masses.
The updated Leica LUX app with the new Artist Look feature is currently available on the Apple App Store. For Leica FOTOapp users wanting to add Greg Williams and future Artist Looks to their Leica cameras, an update is expected soon.