Photography apps aren’t just for amateurs, even pros are using smartphones to take pictures these days. And with what seems like an endless number of photography apps out there, taking and sharing images has never been easier.
Instagram (free)
Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past few years, you’ve probably heard of Instagram. This is the photographer’s app. It’s like Facebook without all that pesky reading. You can scroll through beautiful images all day long, and of course, post your own. The filters the app provides are really impressive, too.
Snapseed (free)
Snapseed is sort of like the Photoshop of smartphones. This app offers countless tools to alter your photos: You can straighten, crop, enhance, adjust brightness, add frames, create effects, and make a whole host of other changes to your image. Then you can save it to your phone’s library and share it on whatever social media channel you choose.
Distressed FX ($0.99)
Another photo editor, this one allows you to add texture to your images to give them a more artistic look. Blur effects, adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or just increase your photo’s texture with this app.
Vintique ($0.99)
If you want to give your photos that vintage look, then Vintique is for you. This app provides 36 different vintage filters, from “old times” to “watercolours,” as well 26 retro filters with names such as “yellow retro” and “dark sepia.”
Mattebox ($3.99)
Mattebox will help you take better images overall. The greatest thing about this app is its dual-stage shutter release. This allows you to get the exposure you’re looking for, and recompose while keeping all of the exposure values locked. There’s also some great editing software in Mattebox that you can use once you’ve taken your shot.
Timelapse ($2.99)
To help you create gorgeous timelapses with your smartphone, this app will give you full control over the amount of images you take and the final product. Plus it whips it all into a video file so you can share your work effortlessly. Timelapses are fun to make, but previously, they were a much more laborious process.
The Photographer’s Ephemeris ($8.99)
This app is the ultimate tool for outdoor photographers. It allows you to know where the sun and moon will be any time of the day or year. This will help you set up sunrise or sunset shoots. Planning is everything when it comes to photography, and for those who like to shoot the outdoors, this app is tough to beat.
Related Story Simple tips for taking better photos with your smartphone
Related Story How to photograph wildlife with your smartphone