To ensure your iPhone saves the standard, "normal" version of your photos, especially when features like High Dynamic Range (HDR) are active, you need to adjust a specific setting in your iPhone's Camera settings.
Understanding "Normal Photos" on iPhone
On an iPhone, the term "normal photos" often refers to the standard version of an image, particularly when the camera's advanced features automatically process or enhance a shot. The most common scenario where you might want to "keep normal photos" is with High Dynamic Range (HDR). When HDR is enabled, your iPhone takes multiple exposures and combines them to create a single, more balanced photo with better detail in highlights and shadows. By default, the iPhone might only save the HDR version. The "Keep Normal Photo" setting ensures that the original, non-HDR version is also saved to your Camera Roll.
Steps to Keep Normal HDR Photos
To ensure your iPhone saves the standard (non-HDR) version of photos alongside the HDR-enhanced versions, follow these simple steps:
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Open Settings: Tap the Settings app icon on your iPhone's Home screen.
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Scroll to Camera: Scroll down and tap on Camera.
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Find HDR Setting: Depending on your iPhone model and iOS version, you might see "Smart HDR" or "HDR (High Dynamic Range)".
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Toggle "Keep Normal Photo":
- For older models with a manual HDR toggle: Ensure the "HDR" toggle at the top is OFF (so you can control it manually from the Camera app), and then turn ON the "Keep Normal Photo" toggle.
- For newer models with "Smart HDR": You'll typically find a toggle for "Smart HDR." If you want to keep the "normal" photo in addition to the Smart HDR version, you'll need to turn OFF Smart HDR, and then the "Keep Normal Photo" option might appear, or the iPhone will simply save the non-HDR version by default when Smart HDR is off. If Smart HDR is on, it generally replaces the "normal" photo. For more control, you might need to disable Smart HDR and use the HDR toggle within the Camera app if available.
Note: The exact phrasing and location of HDR settings can vary slightly between iPhone models and iOS versions. For most modern iPhones, "Smart HDR" automatically handles HDR without saving a "normal" copy unless specifically toggled off or if an older "Keep Normal Photo" setting is available for that specific model.
Why Enable "Keep Normal Photo"?
- Flexibility: You get both versions of the photo, allowing you to choose which one you prefer later.
- Original Exposure: The "normal" photo represents the original exposure without any HDR processing. This can be useful for certain editing workflows or if the HDR version doesn't turn out as expected.
- Compatibility: While HDR is widely supported, having a standard version ensures maximum compatibility across all devices and platforms.
Managing Other "Enhanced" Photo Types
Besides HDR, your iPhone has other features that might generate "enhanced" versions of photos. Understanding how these work can help you manage your "normal" photos.
Live Photos
Live Photos capture a short video clip (1.5 seconds before and after) along with a still image.
- To turn Live Photos off/on: Open the Camera app. Tap the Live Photos icon (concentric circles) at the top of the screen to toggle it on or off. When it's off, only a standard still photo will be saved.
- Converting Live Photos: You can convert a Live Photo to a standard still photo by opening it in the Photos app, tapping Edit, and then tapping the Live Photo icon to turn Live off. You can also pick a "Key Photo" from the Live Photo's frames.
Portrait Mode Photos
Portrait Mode creates a depth-of-field effect, blurring the background while keeping the subject in sharp focus.
- Editing Depth: After taking a Portrait Mode photo, you can open it in the Photos app, tap Edit, and then adjust the depth effect and lighting effects. The iPhone always saves the depth information, allowing you to modify the blur after the shot. It inherently saves a "normal" version with depth data, not a separate file.
ProRAW Photos
For advanced users and compatible iPhone models (iPhone 12 Pro and newer), ProRAW combines the benefits of RAW format with Apple's computational photography.
- ProRAW vs. Standard: When ProRAW is enabled in
Settings > Camera > Formats, photos are saved in the larger DNG ProRAW format. By default, the iPhone does not save a separate JPEG/HEIF "normal" version when taking ProRAW. You can convert ProRAW photos to standard formats during editing or export.
General Photo Management Tips
- iCloud Photos: Use iCloud Photos (
Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos) to safely store your entire library in iCloud, making them accessible across all your Apple devices and optimizing storage on your iPhone by keeping smaller versions on the device. - Storage Optimization: If your iPhone storage is low, enable "Optimize iPhone Storage" in iCloud Photos settings. This replaces full-resolution photos with smaller, device-sized versions, while the originals remain in iCloud.
- Regular Backups: Beyond iCloud, regularly back up your iPhone to a computer (via Finder on Mac or iTunes on Windows) or another cloud service to ensure your "normal photos" are safe.
By understanding these settings and features, you can effectively manage how your iPhone captures and stores your photos, ensuring you always have access to the "normal" versions you desire.
