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Advanced mobile technology has allowed us to get the most out of our smartphones and tablets. In addition to sending SMS, calling and browsing, smartphones can now be used as substitutes for digital cameras. Many people who have tablets also use their devices to take photos. Although these devices can’t really be compared to high-end SLRs and compact cameras in terms of photo quality, there are apps that allow users to get images that are more than ordinary.
Here are seven apps smartphone and tablet users can use to enhance their photography experience. Applications are divided according to their main function or feature.
Editing and filtering applications
The most popular photo apps are the ones used to edit and/or filter images. These apps give anyone the opportunity to create a photo that they can be proud of.
1. Instagram (Android, iOS)
Probably the most popular photo editing app on the market, Instagram is a favorite of many smartphone and tablet users because it is multifunctional. Apart from letting you take photos and filter them or add effects to them, this app also acts as a social network. You can easily post and share your photos with friends and followers. You can connect your Instagram account with your Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Instagram has filters (both custom and standard) that are the simplest to use. Filters allow you to add special effects to your photos to give them more depth. You’ll also find its “selective focus eyedropper” quite useful.
In addition to smartphone and tablet, Instagram can also be accessed through a computer.
2. Hypstamatic (iOS)
iPhone users take square photos with the Hipstamatic digital photography app. Photos can be edited to appear rustic, as if they were taken with an old camera. This is possible thanks to the filters and effects of the software. The app has three types of flashes, four lenses, and three types of film that you can choose from. Additional effects can be purchased if you are not satisfied with the free ones.
People who like analog photos use Hipstamatic.
3. Snapseed (iOS and Android)
Released as Snapseed Mobile for iPad in 2011, this photo app allows users to edit part or all of the image. It’s easy to use: there’s an auto-correction feature that can do wonders for brightness, contrast, color, texture, and other equally important photo elements. There are also filters and effects that you can choose from.
Snapseed allows you to upload your photos to Google+. However, you will have to shell out some bucks because it is not free like other photo editing apps.
Replacement or alternative camera apps
If you want an alternative to your standard smartphone camera, you’ll need to find a good replacement camera app. Here are two of them.
4. Camera+ (iOS)
Designed for iPhone and iPad, Camera + is the ultimate replacement camera for iOS users. It offers a variety of features that will make your photography experience a success. Its most exciting feature is touch exposure and focus, which gives you full control over how your photo should turn out. Should it be as dark as night or as light as day? You will have the freedom to adjust focus and exposure separately.
Plus, you can choose different shooting modes (such as burst and point-and-shoot) and then enhance your photos with just a touch of your finger. Like Snapseed, it’s not free.
5. Pudding Camera (Android)
Android camera replacement phone app is Pudding Camera. With nine types of quality cameras and eight movies to use, this app allows you to take photos with different effects. You can take motion shots with retro film or panoramic shots with old film.
Pudding Camera doesn’t have any video features, but it’s free, so it’s definitely worth a try.
Other Photo Apps for your Smartphone and Tablet
There are a variety of apps that offer features like photo collages and panorama cameras. Here’s one of each:
6. PhotoGrid (iOS, Android and Windows Phone 8)
PhotoGrid is an app used specifically for photos on Instagram. It allows users to create a variety of collages that they can share not only on Instagram, but also on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Picasa, among others.
You can choose from different modes, collage styles, and frames or grids. Rearranging photos in a grid is easy – just shake your phone! Other plugins include stickers, decorative backgrounds, and fonts that you can use to insert text on photos.
7. 360 Panoramic (iOS and Android)
Take panoramic photos of your favorite scenes with the 360 Panorama app. What makes this program great is the fact that it processes photos in real time! This means that you will see your panorama unfold as you take pictures. There is no need to wait for each frame to be processed.
Like most of the photo apps on this list, 360 Panorama supports sharing on social networks like Facebook and Twitter. You can also email your photos to other people.
These are just seven of the best photography apps for smartphones and tablets. They may not make your iOS or Android images look as amazing as SLR photos, but they will definitely make you a photography fanatic. Try them now and you will have a more exciting photography experience!