The cameras inside our smartphones are improving every time a new one is released, and that means we’re all taking more photos than ever. But, there’s more to getting the best pictures than having a great camera phone. The right app can make all the difference. The best photography apps don’t just put a nice filter on your pictures – they let you do so much more. Here’s our quick guide to some of the best photo-editing apps around.
1. Snapseed
Snapseed is a filter-friendly app that specialises in giving your pictures a more artistic look and fine-tunes them, ready to share with your online followers. There are 29 filters to choose from, and all kinds of features to edit your photos, such as white balance for colour adjustment, and a healing tool that lets you get rid of unwanted background objects from the scene.
A ‘lens blur’ tool even lets you add a bokeh effect (blurry background) just like the pros. And, you can save your edit history, so you can go back to any previous edits.
Download on Android
Download on iOS
2. VSCO
If it’s fab filters you’re after, you’ll struggle to find an app better than this one. Sometimes Instagram filters can be a little heavy-handed with your pictures and lack some subtlety, and this is where VSCO is the perfect antidote.
The filters here make your photo look as if it’s been taken on a quality analogue camera – with sliders that’ll give you just the balance you’re looking for.
On top of that, there’s still all the stuff you’d expect - cropping, borders etc.
Download on Android
Download on iOS
3. Adobe Photoshop Express
Photoshop is the household name when it comes to editing pictures, and Photoshop Express is the smaller mobile version – but it’s still great at what it does. For something that’s free and easy to use on a mobile screen, it’s pretty advanced too.
Smart filters will put some of your issues right automatically –like exposure and colour temperature. You can then add in the other useful tools, for things like brightness, contrast, saturation, cropping and correcting red-eye, and you’ve got yourself a handy little app.
First though, make sure you sign up for an Adobe ID account (don’t worry – it’s free).
Download on Android
Download on iOS
4. Enlight
Enlight is one of the best photo-editing apps around if you feel like getting creative. It packs in a ton of features, letting you do almost anything with your photos. Besides the usual crop and effect options, you can also adjust the exposure of your shots, remove unsightly defects, superimpose images and even transform your pictures into works of art. You’ll never look at Instagram the same way again!
Download on iOS
5. TouchRetouch
This app’s all about getting rid of the things you don’t want in your pictures. Whether it’s that road sign spoiling your beautiful landscape, or an amazing view that would be so much better without that man on the side of the shot eating his lunch. Now you can get rid of ‘em all! And the best bit is it only takes one touch, so you can get your retouched photos ready to share in no time.
Download on Android
Download on iOS
6. Visage
OK – so we all have things that we’d change about ourselves, whether that’s whiter teeth, smoother skin or getting rid of that spot that just decided to appear this morning!! Well, we think you’re great as you are, but if you really must retouch your selfie, you might find Visage useful.
It can smooth-out skin, whiten teeth – even add eye makeup for the times you can’t be bothered. Upgrade to the pro version to avoid ads and the watermark that’s added to your final edit.
Download on Android
Download on iOS
7. Afterlight / Afterlight 2
Afterlight 2 is – in its own words – the “all-in-one feature-packed” photo editing app. Which, to be fair, sounds about right to us. It has all the options that you’d expect to see – crop, brightness, and exposure – as well as some things which are more advanced - selective hue/saturation, curves, clarify and tone.
The great thing about this app is that it updates its content each month, and once you’ve paid the initial (very small) one-off payment, there are no extra subscription fees, even when there’s new features.
Download on Android
Download on iOS
8. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
Our final app is another entry from Adobe, and it’s another winner. Imagine taking a lighting studio with you wherever you go, and you’ll get some idea of what is on offer with this app. The mobile version of the professional photo-editing app has everything you need to make your photos look as pro as possible, even on-the-go.
You can edit photos in seconds or spend a bit more time and make fancy edits by adjusting lighting curves, exposure and more by simply sliding your finger across the screen. If you’re an Adobe Creative Cloud subscriber, you’ll be able to automatically back up your photos onto other devices as well. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is a must if you’re serious about photography.
Download on Android
Download on iOS
Got any other photo-editing apps you’d like to share with us? Did we miss out your favourite app? If so let us know in the comments section below…