Best Free Photo Editing Apps for Android, iPhone and Others

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Editing photos is like applying finishing touches to a painting. Photographs often don't look as good as they could unless you apply that finishing touch. Since most people use their smartphones to take pictures, we have shortlisted the best photo editing apps that you can use on-the-go to take your photography to the next level.

10. Photo Studio (BlackBerry 10, Android)

BlackBerry users don't have access to many great photo editing apps. However, Photo Studio is a fairly good option for those using BlackBerry 10. It is a simple image editor that lets you take pictures and apply effects and frames to those. Although its collection of filters is better than those on Instagram, the app lacks advanced editing tools, apart from one that lets you correct RGB levels. This means that those who want fine control over their images will be disappointed. Photo Studio also lets you make collages and apply sketch effects to your photographs.

9. Litely (Android, iOS)

Litely is similar to Repix, but it has fewer features and is easier to use. You can easily apply preset effects to any photo. A two-finger swipe shows you a before and after view of the picture. This makes it easy to see how an edit has changed the picture.

8. Repix (Android, iOS)

If you like pretty apps, then both Repix, and the next app in the list, will appeal to you. Apart from great design, Repix has some cool filters, basic editing tools (brightness, saturation, etc) and even effects such as flares and posterize. If you want more filters or effects, you can purchase those through the app.

7. Photo Editor by Aviary (Android, iOS, Windows Phone)

If you are a Windows Phone user, Photo Editor by Aviary is one of the best apps for tweaking pictures. Although the app still works well, you should know that its developers stopped updating the Windows Phone version last year. This app - under active development for iPhone and Android - also makes it easy to add text, drawings and stickers to your photos. Apart from these, it has all basic editing tools such as filters, effects, crop, rotate, etc. It doesn't have much in the way of advanced options, but that shouldn't be a problem for casual users.      

6. Flickr (iPhone, Android, Windows Phone)
Like Instagram, Flickr has a great community of photographers. Unlike Instagram, however, Flickr has advanced editing tools, which is better for enthusiasts. Another advantage is that Flickr doesn't restrict you to square photos. Its built-in filters are fairly good too. The only major negative is that Flickr's Windows Phone app isn't as good as iOSand Android variants.

5. Pixlr Express (Android, iOS)

Autodesk's photo-editing app Pixlr Express is quite useful when you want to remove unwanted spots or marks from photos. Whether it is dust on your camera's lens or flash burning out a small portion of the image, Pixlr Express is a good app for image correction. Available for both Android and iOS, Pixlr Express has easy to use tools, which help you touch-up images quickly. It has enough tools for power users too, coupled with Photoshop-like effects such as pencil, poster, sketch and halftone, among others.

4. Instagram (iPhone, Android, Windows Phone)

Apart from being one of the world's most popular photo communities, Instagram is a fast, hassle-free photo editing app. Its filters are adequate for most people, but not for power users. If you are into black-and-white photography, you might want to try other apps because Instagram's filters aren't the best.

3. Adobe Lightroom (iPad)

Lightroom and Photoshop are the reasons behind Adobe's iron grip on the desktop photo editing market. Lightroom for iPad isn't good as a standalone photo editing app, but it shines when used in conjunction with Lightroom for Windows or Mac. This means that you will need an Adobe subscription (around Rs 2,000 per month) to make the most of this iPad app.

If you are a subscriber or don't mind getting a subscription, Lightroom for iPad lets you synchronise edits between your desktop and iPad. The problem is that Lightroom for iPad lacks the advanced editing tools that are cherished by those who use the desktop app. If you want to make a quick edit, or apply a preset effect, Lightroom for iPad saves you the trouble of returning to your desktop. Lightroom is one of the few apps that support RAW files, which might appeal to those who use DSLR cameras. For those who want advanced editing options, Adobe's Photoshop Touch is a better (paid) alternative on the iPad.

2. Snapseed (iPhone, iPad, Android)

VSCO Cam has almost everything you'll need, but it isn't yet available on tablets. If you want a great photo editing app for the iPad, Snapseed is a good choice. Snapseed's interface is intuitive. Once you add photos to the app, select manual tuning and swipe upwards or downwards on the picture. This shows you different variables such as contrast, saturation, etc. Select any one and simply swipe towards the right to increase its value or in the opposite direction to reduce it.

This app is walking the tightrope between ease of use and advanced functionality. So far, Snapseed has got the balance just right. For power users, Snapseed has the selective adjust feature. This lets you change contrast, etc. on any part of the photo, without editing the whole picture. Snapseed's filters range from great (Grunge, Retrolux, Vintage) to average (Drama, Black & White). VSCO Cam has a better variety of tools, but Snapseed makes it easier to access all of its tools.

Snapseed is available for iOS and Android.

1. VSCO Cam (iPhone, Android)

VSCO (pronounced visco) Cam started out as a paid app but went free last year. It is one of the best photo editing apps on iOSand Android if you want advanced controls. VSCO Cam has a great collection of filters, which are better than those on Instagram. While some filters are free, you'll have to pay for many others. Don't let this dissuade you from trying the app, as the free filters are good enough for most people.

VSCO Cam's editing tools include brightness, contrast, saturation, tint, crop, rotate, sharpness, highlights, shadows, among a few others. As evident, it has enough tools for professional photo editing.

However, beginners will take some time to figure out how to use VSCO Cam because the app relies on icons and code numbers instead of words. For instance, filters have names like B1, X1, etc., which may be hard to remember initially. All editing tools are icons (sharpness is a triangle, saturation is a rectangle with a gradient, etc.) and it may take you a little while to go through all the tools and find what you need.

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Photography Tips For New Photographers

                  

Successful photographers know how to utilize even low light conditions in their work. Uncover these eight industry secrets for capturing incredible low light photos.

Taking low light photos can render stunning and dramatic results. Low light photos can create mood and depth, providing a whole new creative element to your photography. Like master painters who studied light and shadow with mathematical precision, applying those same principles to capturing a low light photo with high dynamic range is an equally advanced skill.

Although it’s possible to capture low light photos on a smartphone or DSLR in automatic mode, viewing those images in high resolution for commercial end-use often reveals significant technical problems. When you’re required to shoot low light photos, you need complete control of your camera and equipment to capture the perfect image.

Image via Evgeny Atamanenko

Some points of failure for shooting in low light situations include clipped shadows, extreme noise, motion blur, camera shake, underexposure, and focus problems. Just to name a few.

That’s why we’re sharing 8 elements of photographic control that are key to shooting perfect low light photos for commercial clients. In a word, it starts with knowing how to shoot manual.

Exposure

Image via Solis Images

Spot Meter your Main Subject and Expose for It

Don’t rely on auto light metering in-camera, which averages the whole scene based on multiple points within the frame. For more tips on in-camera metering modes

Nail Your Exposure In-Camera

Compensation in post-production may further degrade the image quality and increase noise issues.

Image via Gorodenkov

Use Manual Focus

Focus manually using an external, dedicated light source. Once focused, turn off that spotlight and shoot the moody, ambient, available light in your scene with confidence.

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Shutter Speed

Image via Denis Belitsky

• Creating exposures in low light conditions requires compromise. Balance your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO while shooting. To learn how these work together, check out this article.
• When shooting people, have them hold poses as still as possible to avoid motion blur when using a slower shutter speed.
• If a shoot requires you to handhold a camera, brace your grip to avoid camera shake. Your minimum shutter speed should be 1/60 second when handholding.

Long Exposures

Images via Kan Kankavee

Long exposures can render beautiful results in certain creative and experimental applications.

However, when shooting lifestyle photos for traditional client work, proceed on the side of caution. In lifestyle photos, models should be moving or interacting to capture authenticity. Aim for a shutter speed of 1/125 sec on dimly lit sets.

Long exposures are great when your subject matter is still with no moving parts. Try using a longer shutter speed on a tripod with a higher f-stop, such as f/8 or f/11. This will give you a deeper plane of focus, and the ability to capture more detail. For more tips on capturing long exposures.

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Aperture

Image via Art Konovalov

Always Use Your Fastest Lens

This means choosing the lens with the lowest possible option for aperture, such as f/1.4. A low aperture allows more light to hit your camera’s sensor, but also means the plane of focus is very thin.

Upgrade from Kit Lenses

Kit lenses are great for starting out, but many try to be all things to all shooters. The flexibility of all-purpose, variable kit lenses might be a trade-off at the expense of your aperture capabilities. Instead, use a high-quality zoom lens such as a 24-70 f/2.8 or a prime lens such as 50mm f/1.4 to capture stronger detail in your low light photos.

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ISO

Image via Denis Belitsky

Different cameras have different ISO capabilities. Be aware of what your camera can handle, and how you can avoid noise with your ISO. For more tips on avoiding noise.

As a rule of thumb, consider anything over ISO 1600 as entering high-risk territory for noise.

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Equipment

Image via Alzbeta

In addition to knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your specific camera body and lens combination, use a tripod and cable release whenever possible. This will ensure you capture low light photos with minimal camera shake or risk of blur

If you’ve tried all of the above and still find yourself with a histogram that’s left of center, use some filler light strategically. A subtle pop of bounced flash might be what it takes to take perfect low light photos.

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Get it Right In-Camera

Image via Jacob Lund

Avoid noise by exposing correctly in-camera rather than trying to correct it later. “Solves” in post-production degrade other aspects of the images, such as sharpness.

Also, compose the subject matter of your image with precision so you can avoid cropping later. Cropping can lower the image quality when exporting high-resolution photos.

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Shooting RAW

Image via RAWPixel.com

RAW is a file format that captures all image data recorded by the camera sensor without degradation. While shooting JPEG in-camera saves on storage space, it comes with a loss of information due to compression.

RAW files are your “digital original,” similar to how film was processed in the analog days. RAWs might look flat at a glance, but that’s because there is so much detail in the mid-tones waiting to be pulled out through RAW image processing.

By shooting RAW you’ll be able to produce higher quality low light photos, as well as correct technical problems that would be unrecoverable if shot in JPEG format. These technical problems can include loss of detail in highlights and shadows.

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Viewing Environment

Image via Creative Travel Projects

View Files at 100%

This will allow you to see all the details so you can double-check your work before submitting.

Make Your Own “Darkroom”

Also remember to calibrate your screen and view images on your monitor with no ambient light. Many technical issues are best identified in a true digital darkroom.

Image via MAD.vertise

Old school photographic principles are tried and true. They inform the advanced tech solves we enjoy today through intuitive gear that automates much of the process. Applying these 8 elements of photographic control for low light photos, and understanding what it means to shoot in manual mode, will render impressive results and elevate your skills for all shoots through an advanced understanding of inputs and outputs.

Written by Astomine(Koushik Naskar)