Photography apps on my iPhone
There might be ten photography apps (excluding native apps) installed on my iPhone but I only use four apps regularly and another two occasionally. I could delete the rest from my phone but once in a while it’s good to have them. In any case, I thought I’d introduce the photography apps I use.
Essential Smartphone Photography Apps
Adobe Photoshop Express
If I had to delete all my photography apps, save for one, Adobe Photoshop Express is the app I would choose to keep. There’s no contest for me there at all. For me, what matters most is the post-processing functionality, rather than the selection of filters. I like to adjust the clarity, contrast and vibrance to make the colours pop.
Every once in a while when I do decide to use filters, I find this app has an adequate range of filters to choose from. It’s also possible to control the intensity of the filters. At the same time, I can go back to the post-processing controls and adjust factors such as highlights and shadows to suit the filter I choose.
Developer: Adobe
Download: iOS | Android
Wireless Mobile Utility
This app is not standalone app. It is a photography app for DSLR owners — specifically, Nikon DSLR owners. WMU basically is a remote control for taking photos with DSLRs. Using a cable release or remote shutter prevents camera shake and so ensures tack sharp photos. I think it’s so much niftier than using a cable release for the shutter because the app offers a live view on the smartphone.
Live view on a smartphone is great for still photography because it’s so much easier to place objects precisely without needing to check the camera after every adjustment. It’s also great when taking group photos and want to make sure everyone is well within the frame.
Besides acting as remote control, WMU also makes it possible to download photos directly from the DSLR to the smartphone. Impatient people who want to upload photos on social media surely love that functionality. I haven’t really made use of this before myself though.
Some camera models require a wifi adapter because they don’t have inbuilt wifi receivers. When I bought my DSLR, the wifi adapter was already included, so I didn’t have to spend any extra money.
Developer: Nikon
Download: iOS | Android
Social Media
Instagram was built to be mobile, which makes it such a great social photography app. It’s also where bookstagram resides. The bookstagram community is extremely vibrant and interactive. I love seeing what everyone is reading and coming across fellow bookworms who love the same books as me. Once you join, you won’t see any reason to leave.
Developer: Instagram
Download: iOS | Android
Flickr
While Instagram encourages the sharing of snapshots, Flickr is aimed more at photography enthusiasts. I love perusing the photos that people share because so many of them are insanely breath-taking! Given the high resolutions that are often available, I prefer to browse on my laptop rather than my phone. All these impressive photos must be viewed on bigger screens. Still, it’s nice having easy access to Flickr on the go.
Developer: Flickr
Download: iOS | Android
Miscellaneous Editing
Whitagram
One thing I learnt when researching lenses for my DSLR was that it is better to stick to one or two main lenses. That way you’re much more likely to master photography with your chosen lens(es). In the same way, it is so much more effective to train the eye with a fixed format. I chose 5×7 over squares. That’s why when I upload photos to Instagram, I use Whitagram first to add white borders, so that my 5×7 format remains even though I’m forced to upload squares.
Developer: Anutherus
Download: iOS
Fotor
Sometimes Photoshop Express isn’t enough. That’s when Fotor comes in handy. It’s a worthy photography app that allows editing of photos, has a lot of effects and filters, and is good for collages. What I didn’t know is that there also are desktop versions for Mac and Windows. While I have Photoshop CS6, maybe I’ll give Fotor a spin on my Mac as well for quick filter fixes. Though for now, I very much prefer bright colourful photos not muted by filters.
Developer: Fotor
Download: iOS | Android
The most that I use is VSCO cam, and just apply a filter and then tweak the other settings. The sad thing is, I can’t settle and decide if it’s good enough, so I end up deleting stuff from IG a lot. But you know, I love the bookstagram community and it’s great, but I’m too much of a perfectionist.
I’ve tried using VSCO Cam before but for some reason I don’t love it the way everyone else seems to. Haha. But maybe I’ll try it again sometime. Sometimes I’m also tempted to delete older photos I uploaded on IG because I don’t like them as much anymore. But then I keep them anyway because I like to see how I’ve progressed over time. And I agree, the bookstagram community is nice and I’m sure you’ve realized by now that nobody expects perfection, even if we keep chasing it for own photos :)
My phone has very limited memory so I can’t download many apps. For Instagram, I just use the editor built into the app. I find that it’s sufficient for editing brightness, saturation, etc. I’m not fond of filters, so I don’t need a wide variety. If I’m working on a photograph for my school newspaper, lit mag, or editing personal photos, I use CS6.
I wish I could use the wireless mobile utility, but I have a D5100, which was released before the adapter and is therefore not compatible :( I’ll have to look into some wired options.
Awww. Yes, phone memory can be quite a problem sometimes. I back up my photos every other day, then delete them from my phone, so I have enough space. If I didn’t do that, I wouldn’t have had space to take photos years ago. Lol.
Ah, yeah. The wireless adapter only became compatible 2012 onwards, I think. But cable releases aren’t all that expensive either and serve the primary purpose of eliminating camera shake. I think it’d be a very wise investment! :)