If you’re looking for the best apps for photography, you’ve come to the right place. Our post lists 16 of the best apps available and explains why they’re so popular.
Whether you’re a professional photographer or someone who loves taking pictures, these apps will surely help. They’ll take your photography skills to the next level!
16 Top Photography Apps
We’ll take you through our top picks of must-have photography apps. And to help you find what you need, we’ve broken it down into categories:
Best Camera Apps for Photographers
1. Photoshop Camera
Download: iPhone or Android
When you see the name Adobe Photoshop, expectations will be high. And with this mobile app for iOS and Android, Adobe doesn’t disappoint.
Adobe’s Photoshop Camera is made for social media users. All the presets and filters are designed to boost your online content. Influencer-inspired portrait and selfie options give smooth bokeh effects or remove unwanted shadows.
But it’s not just about selfies. There are options for landscapes and street photography, too. The sophisticated AI system helps you achieve the shots you want.
It’s a free app that’s available for iOS and Android. But there are some in-app purchases if you want to upgrade.
2. Pro Camera by Moment
Download: iPhone
Pro Camera is another camera app for iPhone users. It offers manual controls for high-quality mobile photography. This app lets you control exposure elements like ISO and shutter speed. It has the functions of a DSLR but with an easy-to-use smartphone interface.
Burst, time-lapse, and cinematic video modes make this a well-rounded app for all kinds of photographers. RAW file support is another feature that will please them.
It’s not a free app, but it costs only $8.99. And for iPhone users, it’s one of the best camera apps available.
3. Photon Camera
Download: iPhone
For iOS users, Photon Camera is the hottest camera app for mobile photography. As with Photoshop Camera, you have excellent manual control of the camera. You can adjust ISO, shutter speed, and white balance.
There is a wide range of preset options for different types of photography. With your iPhone, you can master everything from portrait to macro photography.
Photon Camera lets you shoot in RAW format, which is great for editing your photos. You can also edit photos in-app. The editing options are solid but a bit basic. It is more of a camera app than a photo editor.
4. Camera Zoom FX Premium
Download: Android
The stock camera app on Android phones can produce great photos. But the Camera Zoom FX Premium Android app puts the creative power in your hands. It’s another photo app that operates like a DSLR or mirrorless camera.
You control the basic camera settings, like ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. The app has a straightforward interface that’s easy to navigate, making it easy for beginners to get started.
There’s a 50 fps burst for action shots and sports photography with your phone. And you get RAW file support for better editing options. You can edit in-app, adding tilt-shift effects and color transformations.
It isn’t free, and the app is only available for Android. But many photographers will consider the small price ($3.99) worth paying.
Photo Editing Apps for Photographers
1. Adobe Lightroom for Mobile
Download: iPhone or Android
Adobe Lightroom is one of the biggest names in photo editing and is one of the leading programs for professional photographers. Lightroom for mobile is the best option for editing on your phone.
The app is part of the Lightroom software suite, their Photography Plan, or Adobe’s Creative Cloud. Its range of features makes Lightroom one of the best photo editing apps.
Lightroom Mobile is a stripped-down version of the computer program. The photo editing app has presets that give your photos a solid and consistent look.
The preset options are great for quick editing, but you can also use the sophisticated curve modes for advanced photo editing. These modes let you adjust contrast, midtones, and color.
Adobe Lightroom Mobile is free to download for iOS and Android users. And there are in-app purchases for more features at a reasonable price. Read our tutorial on how to use Lightroom Mobile or how to install presets.
2. VSCO
VSCO is a photo editing app all serious smartphone photographers need to consider. It has fantastic functions and features that produce wonderful results.
Enhancing your photographs with the VSCO preset filters is a fast and easy way to improve them. The creative tools include contrast and saturation adjustments, and you can add grain and fade to mimic analog photos.
If you upgrade to the advanced level, you’ll have film imitation settings. With these, you can transform your smartphone pictures into Kodak Colorplus 200 prints.
VSCO is available for iOS and Android. The free version is fine for getting started. But if you’re serious about photo editing, you’ll have to pay for the advanced membership to access all its features.
3. Afterlight Photo Editor
Download: iPhone
For professional and enthusiast photographers, Afterlight is worth a look. The interface is minimalist and stripped-back. They’re not trying to over-compensate with flashy gimmicks. Afterlight lets their tools speak for themselves.
There is an excellent array of presets for fast editing. Smartphone photographers new to editing will love these when they first start. But the handy tools are where Afterlight shines.
Besides the cropping and rotating tools, you can apply 15 adjustment tools and 66 textures to your photos. They give you precise control over the editing process.
Afterlight is free for iOS with on-app purchases. Read our Afterlight tutorial for more!
4. Snapseed
Snapseed goes far beyond your basic photo editing app. It has features you would only otherwise find on a computer software suite. Professional photographers will love this app. And it’s not too complicated for beginners.
The interface is intuitive and easy to understand. You can find the tool you need without getting lost in a maze of menus. And there are many editing tools to choose from.
You don’t need a fancy camera app to use this editor, as Snapseed works well with your native camera app. You can change the white balance, brightness, and exposure during editing.
Snapseed offers a superb selection of brushes for healing and disguising imperfections. It also has a great selection of preset filters.
It’s free for iOS and Android smartphones. You can read our Snapseed tutorial to learn more.
5. Pixlr
Pixlr is one of the most versatile photo editing apps available. It appeals to serious photographers who want to enhance their images carefully. And it has plenty of features for people who want to have fun with photo editing apps.
You can add text, labels, or paint directly onto your photos. You can also remove sections or pixelate areas of your images, and you get the usual crop and rotate editing tools.
Removing blemishes and red-eye is simple. Using overlays, you can change the tone and feel of your photos. Their double exposure feature is also great fun.
The app is free to download for Android and iOS users.
6. Mexture
Download: iPhone
Mexture is a photo-editing app that offers a range of filters and overlays. It lets users transform their photographs.
There are film grain, dust textures, and light-leak effects for that retro photo look. Over 150 textures are available. The editing tools are excellent, letting you change the white balance and contrast with a few clicks.
It isn’t the most advanced photo editing app on the list. It’s not an app for professional touch-ups. But the catalog of textures is excellent, and it’s sure to spice up your social media content.
Mexture is only available on iOS. It costs money to download, and there are also in-app purchases for extra features.
Best Photography Assistant Apps
1. PhotoPills
PhotoPills works similarly to The Photographer’s Ephemeris (below). It is available for iPhones and Android phones.
It calculates the positions of the sun, moon, and stars so you can plan your photoshoots for the best shots. It’s especially useful for landscapes and sunset photography.
There’s a one-time payment to buy the app, and in-app purchases are available. Read our full review on PhotoPills.
2. The Photographer’s Ephemeris
Download: iPhone
Are you a photographer who does many outdoor photoshoots? If so, the Photographer’s Ephemeris is a must-have photography app. It lets you know how light will fall on an area of land at any given time and date.
It’s a calculator that uses information about the position of the sun, moon, and stars. It tells you which days and times are best for shooting and prepares you for the conditions.
It’s available for iOS systems. There’s a one-time payment of $9.99 and other in-app purchases. There’s also the Photographer’s Ephemeris web app you can access.
3. Pocket Light Meter
Download: iPhone
Pocket Light Meter doesn’t need much explaining. It’s a light meter app you can download to your iPhone for $10.99.
It’s a must-have app for film photographers, especially those using medium or large formats. Pocket Light Meter is simple, easy to use, and vital for any photoshoot.
Photo Sharing Apps for Photographers
1. Flickr
Flickr has existed for a long time and remains one of the most popular photo-sharing platforms. This is especially true for professional and enthusiast photographers.
If you specialize in a specific area of photography or if you want to get started in that area, you can join the Flickr community. For example, you can share your work with other landscape photographers if you like shooting landscapes.
Flickr is for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or a professional photographer. You can create a free account to post up to 1,000 photos. If that’s not enough, you can pay for an unlimited account.
2. 500px
500xp is a social network designed for practicing photographers. There are thousands of users worldwide, and they’re all encouraged to publish their best photography work.
There are quests and photo contests you can enter. They’ll help challenge your skills and give you more exposure on the platform.
It’s free to sign up, and the app is available on iOS and Android.
3. Instagram
In case you haven’t heard of Instagram, it’s a social media app designed to share images. Much of the content is memes and influencers, so it’s not exactly a photography app. But many photographers find great exposure by using the app.
It’s free to download, and there are no post limits. You can increase your social media exposure by posting Instagram stories.
Conclusion: The Best Photography Apps
Smartphone photography is no longer the joke it once was. It’s a serious business, and there are many mobile apps for photographers of all levels and genres, like travel photography.
There are photography apps for taking pictures or editing photos. You have apps to help you with your photoshoots and to share your best work. We hope you’ve found what you need in our list of the best apps for photographers available.
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