Fixing Brightness Issues With Canon CR2 Files In Immich

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Fixing Brightness Issues with Canon CR2 Files in Immich

Hey guys! Today, we're diving into a common problem faced by photographers using Immich: brightness issues with Canon RAW (CR2) files. It's super frustrating when your photos look perfect on your computer or phone but appear washed out or overly bright in Immich. Let's break down the issue and explore potential solutions to get your photos looking their best.

Understanding the Problem

The core issue is that Immich sometimes struggles to correctly interpret the metadata and color profiles embedded in CR2 files. CR2 files, being RAW images, contain unprocessed data straight from your camera's sensor. This means they require specific processing to render correctly. Different software (like macOS Preview or iOS Photos) might handle this processing differently than Immich, leading to discrepancies in brightness and color.

When you upload a CR2 file to Immich, the server attempts to generate a thumbnail and a viewable image. If this process doesn't accurately interpret the CR2 file's data, you end up with an image that doesn't match the original. This is particularly noticeable in brightness, where the image can appear significantly brighter or washed out compared to how it looks on other platforms.

The provided example clearly illustrates this problem. The screenshots show a CR2 file rendering correctly on macOS but displaying with incorrect brightness in Immich. This inconsistency is what we aim to resolve.

Identifying the Cause

Several factors could contribute to this issue. Let's explore some of the most common culprits:

  1. Color Profile Incompatibility: CR2 files often contain embedded color profiles (like Adobe RGB or sRGB). Immich might not fully support or correctly interpret these profiles, leading to color and brightness distortions.
  2. Metadata Interpretation: The metadata within the CR2 file contains information about the camera settings, including exposure, white balance, and more. If Immich misinterprets this metadata, it can result in incorrect rendering.
  3. RAW Processing Library: Immich relies on a RAW processing library (like LibRaw) to decode CR2 files. If this library has bugs or limitations, it can affect the final image output.
  4. Software Version: Older versions of Immich or its dependencies might have known issues with CR2 files. Keeping your Immich server and apps up-to-date is crucial.

Troubleshooting Steps

Now that we understand the potential causes, let's walk through some troubleshooting steps to fix the brightness issue.

1. Update Immich to the Latest Version

First and foremost, ensure your Immich server and mobile app are running the latest versions. The reported issue occurred on version v2.2.1. Newer versions often include bug fixes and improvements to RAW file handling.

  • Server: Check for updates in your Immich server settings or via your Docker Compose file.
  • Mobile App: Update the app through the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).

2. Verify Your Docker Compose Configuration

Double-check your docker-compose.yml file to ensure it's correctly configured. Here's what to look for:

  • Image Versions: Make sure you're using the correct image tags for the Immich server and machine learning components. For example:
image: ghcr.io/immich-app/immich-server:${IMMICH_VERSION:-release}
image: ghcr.io/immich-app/immich-machine-learning:${IMMICH_VERSION:-release}

  • Environment Variables: Confirm that your .env file contains the necessary environment variables, such as UPLOAD_LOCATION, DB_DATA_LOCATION, DB_PASSWORD, etc.

  • Volume Mappings: Ensure your volume mappings are correctly set up. This is crucial for persistent storage of your uploaded files and database.

3. Check Server Resource Limits

Sometimes, insufficient server resources (CPU, memory) can cause issues during image processing. Monitor your server's resource usage while Immich is processing CR2 files. If you see high CPU or memory usage, consider increasing the resources allocated to your Immich containers.

4. Investigate the Machine Learning Container

The Immich machine learning container plays a role in image processing. Ensure it's running correctly and has sufficient resources. Check the logs for any errors or warnings.

5. Review Redis and PostgreSQL

Redis and PostgreSQL are critical components of Immich. Ensure they are running smoothly and don't have any errors. Check their logs for any issues.

6. Convert CR2 Files to DNG

As a workaround, consider converting your CR2 files to DNG (Digital Negative) format. DNG is Adobe's open-source RAW format, which is often better supported across different software.

You can use Adobe DNG Converter (a free tool) or other RAW processing software to convert your CR2 files to DNG.

7. Adjust RAW Processing Settings (If Available)

Some photo management software allows you to adjust RAW processing settings. If Immich provides such settings (check the documentation), experiment with different options to see if it improves the rendering of CR2 files.

8. Examine EXIF Data

Use an EXIF viewer to examine the EXIF data of the problematic CR2 files. Look for any unusual or unexpected values that might be causing issues with Immich's rendering.

9. Check File Permissions

Ensure that the Immich server has the necessary permissions to access the CR2 files in your upload directory. Incorrect file permissions can prevent Immich from correctly processing the files.

10. Test with Different CR2 Files

Try uploading different CR2 files from various Canon cameras. This can help determine if the issue is specific to certain camera models or file types.

Providing Feedback and Seeking Help

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it's time to seek help from the Immich community. When reporting the problem, provide as much detail as possible, including:

  • Immich Version: Specify the exact version of the Immich server and mobile app.
  • Operating System: Mention the OS your Immich server is running on (e.g., Ubuntu 24.04).
  • Docker Compose Configuration: Share your docker-compose.yml and .env files (redact any sensitive information like passwords).
  • Example CR2 File: Provide a link to a sample CR2 file that exhibits the issue (like the one provided in the original bug report).
  • Screenshots: Include screenshots of how the CR2 file renders in Immich and other software (like macOS Preview).
  • Relevant Log Output: Share any relevant log output from the Immich server, machine learning container, Redis, and PostgreSQL.

By providing detailed information, you'll help the Immich developers and community members understand the problem and find a solution.

Conclusion

Dealing with brightness issues in Canon CR2 files within Immich can be a headache, but by systematically troubleshooting and seeking help from the community, you can often find a resolution. Remember to keep your Immich server and apps up-to-date, verify your Docker Compose configuration, and provide detailed information when reporting issues. With a bit of effort, you can get your RAW photos looking their best in Immich!