How To Get The Best Colours Out Of Apple ProRaw Files (Capture One)
In this blog, I will share a few ways I use Capture One to achieve the best colours from Apple ProRAW files. These are the methods that work for me and reflect my editing style. There are, of course, other ways to adjust colour in Capture One, so what I’m sharing here is based on personal preference rather than objective fact. It’s worth noting that some of the features mentioned are only available in the desktop version of Capture One, not the mobile app. Lastly, if your app looks different from mine, it’s because I’ve customised my layout to resemble Lightroom’s interface.
Base Characteristics
The first and most impactful way to optimise Apple ProRAW files is by experimenting with the curves found under the Base Characteristics tab. Please don’t confuse this with the Curve tool, which I’ll discuss later. Depending on the RAW file you use, you’ll see different options, including Capture One’s default profiles such as Linear Response. For iPhone files, you’ll also find two DNG options: Standard and Tone Mapped.
To access these profiles, you must ensure you shoot with the default camera app in the ProRAW format. Other apps may support ProRAW too, but I’m not certain, so you’ll need to check. The Tone Mapped option provides the most HDR-like results, similar to standard iPhone images, while the other profiles treat the file as a regular RAW. Selecting the best profile, depending on the image, exposure levels, and contrast, can significantly improve the editing process. There’s no right or wrong, it’s a subjective decision.
White Balance
Whenever I load a RAW image and the colours feel slightly off, a quick white balance adjustment usually resolves the issue. Sometimes cameras miscalculate white balance, while other times the correct white balance might not suit the scene. In many cases, I find myself warming the image slightly and adding a touch of green. My only advice here is not to overdo it.
Colour Editor
The bulk of your colour grading will happen in the Colour Editor tab. There are three ways to adjust colour here: Basic, Advanced, and Skin Tones. Each offers different levels of precision. While the tools vary, the principles are the same. They let you adjust the hue, saturation, and luminance of specific colours.
Basic
The Basic tool lets you quickly and efficiently adjust primary colours by grouping many smaller shades under categories such as red, yellow, and green. It’s one of the most powerful tools for transforming the overall look of a photo. For a vintage, cinematic feel, you might shift reds towards orange and blues towards teal. If your image has clashing colours, try harmonising the warm tones (yellow, red, orange) and the cool tones (blue, cyan, purple). There’s no definitive science to this—it’s an artistic process that depends on the specific image and your creative preferences.
Advanced
The Advanced mode allows for extremely specific colour selection. You can be as precise or as broad as you like, and while the adjustment options remain the same, this mode gives you more control over which colours are impacted.
Skin Tones
The Skin Tones tool provides even finer control over colours. While it’s primarily designed for skin tones, it works for any colour. This tool is particularly useful for bringing different hues closer together. For instance, if you have three slightly different shades of blue that you’d like to unify, this tool makes it possible.
Colour Balance
While the Colour Balance tool doesn’t alter your colours directly, it adds a colour grade over the image, affecting how the colours are perceived. This is an opportunity to get creative—you can go for a bold, stylised grade or something more subtle. Personally, I like to add blues, reds, or greens to the shadows, and warmer orange tones to the highlights. The tool is simple to use: select the hue and intensity for the shadows, midtones, and highlights. You can also adjust luminance for some final tweaks.
Levels & Curves
There are two additional ways to adjust colour in Capture One: the Levels and Curves tools. However, I don’t use them much for colour grading—I primarily use them for exposure adjustments. While I’ve included them here as options, I can’t offer detailed guidance on their use for colour adjustment as they aren’t part of my workflow.
Instead of telling you how these will change your life, I would rather be practical and answer the most common questions that people tend to have when buying presets.
What are presets?
They are editing settings that are saved in a file and can be applied to any image.
Why do people buy presets?
Sometimes because they like the work of the photographer and want that style for their own photos. Mostly because they would like to see how other people edit and learn by reverse engineering the presets. Other times it’s just to support their favourite photographers, thank you!
What’s the overall style of these presets?
- Filmic
- Warm
- Soft
- Bright
What are these presets suitable for?
Street & Travel Photography
Some Nature (with further editing)
Some Portraits (with extensive editing)
Do I actually use these?
Yes. This is the same pack I use right now for all my editing. This isn’t a pack made just to sell.
Do these presets get updated?
Yes, as my style changes, these presets will also be updated. Any time a new update is available, you will get a free update via email. Of course you also keep all the old presets in case you prefer the older looks. Only presets purchased from 2025 onwards will receive the updates.
What file types are these presets for?
- All RAW files
- JPEGs & TIFFs (not recommended)
What camera brands are these presets for?
These were designed around Fujifilm, Sony, and Leica sensors. With that said, they will work with all camera brands. While there might be differences due to individual camera colour science, the overall feel of the preset will carry over.
Will these work with JPEG files?
Yes, but you will need to reduce the intensity and make further edits. I strongly recommend editing RAW files.
Are these one click edits?
95% No. You would need to do some basic adjustments as each image is different. These adjustments can include exposure, colour balance etc. In 5% of cases you can just apply and leave it alone.
Do I need to know how to edit?
You need to have a basic understanding of adjusting exposure, highlights, shadows, etc. A more comprehensive editing skillset will let you get the most out of them.
How many presets are included?
10 in the main pack and 24 in the extras pack
Why two packs?
The main pack is what I use for 99% of my edits and is kept small to reduce wasted time scrolling through presets. The extras pack is everything I don’t use often.
What software do I need?
These presets will work with any of the following:
- Photoshop (adobe camera raw)
- Lightroom Classic
- Lightroom Desktop
- Lightroom Mobile
Will these presets work with free versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed for the full paid versions.
Will these presets work with very old versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed on and for the latest software.
What file type do I get?
XMP
What else do I get?
- Comprehensive PDF guide
Can I modify these and turn them into my own?
Yes! In fact I encourage you to modify them and play around. Use these to help you get your own style.
I have more questions…. What do I do?
Make a cup of tea and drop me an email on hello@snapsbyfox.com
Please note that due to the nature of digital products, refunds are generally not accepted. However, if you experience any issues, feel free to contact me and I’ll review your situation individually. You are welcome to use this product for personal or commercial projects, but you may not copy, distribute, or resell the files in their original or modified form.
Finally I want to say a massive thank you for supporting me. Buying these presets is the most direct way you can support my work.
Thank you!