19 Photo Editing Apps – Part 1

I selected 19 user-friendly photo-editing mobile applications (apps) on iPhone, iPad and Android.

Nowadays we have very easy access to cameras. You can use your smartphone to take pictures and we take a lot of pictures. There are many photo-editing applications available, and sometimes it’s hard to decide which one is worth downloading.

The photo-editing apps description is organized into: general description, available options, save/share options, availability and overall “grooviness” (where 1 is “I’m not sure why I have that application still on my device” and 10  “I’m happy with the outcome”).

 

Snapseed

So far one of the most user-friendly photo-editing apps out there. There’s easy access to every feature and all you have to do is: select category/swipe up-down to select feature/swipe left-right to adjust selected feature/save.

Available Options: There are available basic and more creative adjustments:

• automatic – contrast, color correction
• selective adjustment
• tune image – brightness, ambiance, contrast, saturation, shadow, warmth
• straighten, crop
• details – sharpening, structure
• black & white, vintage, drama, grunge
• HDR scape
• center focus, TILT-shift
• retrolux
• frames

If you are not sure how to use it, there’s a simple help center that is simple and useful. It’s a complex (but not complicated) app that allows you to tweak your photos.

Save/Share options: Like most of the photo-editing applications Snapseed allows you to save edited photo to your device Photo Library, print, copy or publish on social media platforms: Google+, Twitter, Facebook. You can sand it via email if you want to.

Availability: iPhone/iPad, Android (free)

Grooviness: 9 of 10

 

PicsArt

PicsArt is more than just photo-editing mobile application, it’s also a photo-enthusiast community where you can share your photos, like photos shared by others and search for great ideas for your next photos.

Available Options:

• edit – FX effects, basic tools, add text/clipart,
• capture – you can take picture using this app but also you can have an access to your photos from your Facebook, Google+ Flickr, Google+, Dropbox, Instagram, Picasa profiles and your device photo library.
• collage
• draw – you can create your own art

If you are a beginner to photo-editing this application might be answer to all your questions. It allows you to modify your original photo the way you want and if you are not sure what else you can with it then you can use all available FX effects (special effects that can turn your plain photo into something magical.) All features are clearly labeled so there is no problem finding the right one you want to use. Make sure to take your time and see what is available before you start editing your photo.

Save/Share options: you can share pictures with PicsArt community, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Dropbox, FLickr, DeviantArt, Tumblr and more

Availability: iPhone/iPad, Android (free)
Grooviness: 8 of 10 (just because it seems that this app takes much space on a mobile device)

The video review of PicsArt you can find by subscribing to Issue #7 of DIY Marketing Graphics Magazine. Magazine is available on an iPad, iPhone and you can access it at iTunes

PhotoStudioHD

All-in-one photo editing application, where you can choose between over 150+ effects and filters. Great for those who like to test different effects to their photos.  Very easy to use, great for beginners.

Available Options:

• upload photos from: your device, Facebook, documents or you can take a photo using this application
• basic tools: crop, rotate, resize and basic adjust
• you can choose among 150+ effect and filters that are organized into categories
• you can mark selected effects as favorites and then it’s easier to get to those while editing photo

Save/Share options: save to photo album on your device, save to documents folder or clipboard. You can share your photos via Flickr, mail, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram or print them. If you want to you can also send your photo as a real postcard.

Availability: iPhone/iPad and Android
Grooviness: 8.5 of 10 (beginners-friendly app)

 

Photoshop Mix

Adobe Photoshop Mix not only allows you to edit photo but (and this is more interesting) allows you to combine two photos into one.

Available Options:

• basic editing tools: photo enhancements, additional filters
• remove parts of the photo – you can select part of the pictures you want to remove
• combine two photos into one (and this is the BEST feature that this application offers)
• Adobe creative cloud (you need to create an Adobe account) – allows you to save a multiple layer Photoshop file and open it from anywhere

Save/Share options: you can share your art on Behance (photo-enthusiast community), Facebook, Twitter

Availability: iPad (free)
Grooviness: 7.5 of 10 (beginner users might need a little bit of time to get used to that application)

 

Big Lens

If you are searching for a photo app that allows you to edit “depth of field”, Big Lens is the simple solution. This mobile application offers just few features and it’s very simple to use, it will put your photos in interesting perspective.

Available Options:

• smart touch focus
• highlight glare with custom shapes
• automatic focus detection
• 18 filter effects
• f1.8 up to f3.8, which keeps your subject in focus and blurs out the backgroud
• you can select which area of the photo is in blur and which should be kept in focus
• bokeh effects

      

Save/Share options: you can save the final photo on your device, dropbox and share via social media applications.

Availability: iPhone/iPad ($0.99)
Grooviness: 6 of 10 (lack of precision)

 

Not enough? …stay tuned to 19 Photo Editing Apps – Part 2