While many of us grew up around cameras in some way, recent years have seen “taking pictures” transform into photography thanks to the help of photography apps. Photos have become an odd kind of currency in a social media world. That being the case, some photos are more valuable than others. Anything that makes someone stop, look at your photo, and say “Whoa,” is basically as good as gold.
That being the case, don’t settle for the usual suite of Instagram edits and Snapchat filters that everyone else relies on. If you truly want to ensure that your photos stand out amongst a sea of pictures, you’ll need a professional photography app as dedicated to the best photos possible as you are.
Luckily for you, there are quite a few options available. Here are some of the best photography apps that are perfect for the iPhone 11’s camera.
Snapseed
One of the things people love about Instagram is that it allows them to easily make their photos more visually engaging. One of the things people hate about Instagram is that the app reveals just how shallow it is after only a few months of regular use.
Snapseed is the opposite. It’s an almost dauntingly complex photo editor that rivals even Photoshop in terms of manipulation options. However, once you learn all the app’s gestures and options, you’ll find it impossible to return to a lesser editor. Snapseed turns every one of your photos into a canvas.
Adobe Lightroom
While apps like Snapseed are strong, there are many who believe that Adobe is still the king of the photo editing kingdom. To be honest, the capabilities of Adobe Lightroom go a long way to securing their position as such.
Lightroom lacks some of Snapseed’s more enjoyable interface options, but it is arguably a stronger overall tool. It’s certainly a more capable HDR app that allows you to perform subtle and significant photo manipulations without sacrificing clarity. Those who don’t want to edit every single photo can also take advantage of the app’s pre-set options.
Cortex Camera
It’s funny, but even though Apple ran an entire marketing campaign around the fact idea that there is probably an app for anything you can think of, many people forget that little problems with their iPhone can likely be resolved with an app.
For photographers, the often painful process of getting truly great night-time photos is aided greatly by downloading Cortex Camera. This app is specifically designed to adjust settings on your iPhone which are often responsible for iffy night-time photo quality. When you using the app, you simply need to wait a few seconds when taking a photo for Cortex to make the necessary adjustments. It practically guarantees perfect night-time photos.
Camera+
Sometimes you wish it was possible to just swap out your device’s lens for a better one. Sadly, such things aren’t actually possible without violating your warranty in irreparable ways. However, Camera+ does allow you to achieve a similar effect.
Camera+ does feature some basic photo editing tools, but the best thing it does is improve your device’s camera on a base level. Camera + affords users who wish to “set it and forget it” the opportunity to make all their photos look better the moment they are taken. It’s also deceptively deep.
Filmborn
On the surface, Filmborn can’t possibly compete with the more advanced photo editing apps out there. It certainly doesn’t contain as many features as other editing apps. However, Filmborn separates itself from a considerable pack due to its ability to do one thing incredibly well.
See, Filmborn’s mission is to help you create film-worthy shots with every photo. Every feature, filter, and function is designed to achieve this effect. After just a few uses, you’ll soon discover that Filmborn is capable of making just about any landscape or action photo look like it was taken by a professional filmmaker.
VSCO
VSCO is one of the most popular photo filter apps for several good reasons.
Another app that aims to help you turn photos and videos into film quality presentations, VSCO is all about presentation. Yet, VSCO offers many filters and editing options without burdening you in options. Indeed, its clean interface is one of the big reasons why it’s so beloved.
This is quite simply one of those photography apps that every iPhone owner needs to download and use regularly.
TouchRetouch
Everyone needs to edit a photo from time to time. The ability to do so is one of the most sought-after among amateur photographers.
While expert photo editing can be challenging, TouchRetouch eliminates most of the legwork. That’s because it focuses almost completely on removing things from photos. Whether those things are blemishes or old boyfriends, it makes object removal stunningly easy.
You may not always need this app, but it’s certainly good to have.
Enlight
It is possible to overdo it when editing photos. Even the best intentions can end up looking a little…pretentious.
Still, an app like Enlight is perfect for turning basic photos into something closer to paintings. The app’s toolset is impressive, and it doesn’t take that much effort to comb through some of its more notable features, filters, and options.
This isn’t the most versatile or practical photo editor out there, but it’s certainly great for creative experimentation.
Mextures
If you’re willing to learn some new tricks, then playing with a photo’s layers is one one the best ways to create stunning images. Mextures can certainly help you learn those tricks.
This layering app is designed to make it relatively easy to add textures to old photos. This process can usually result in some truly stunning photos that look altered but never in a bad way.
Fans of outdoor shots will especially want to learn the in’s and outs of this app.
YouCam Perfect
Even if you’re not a selfie addict, it’s hard to not take the occasional picture of yourself. If you ever want to stylize or touch-up those pictures, then YouCam Perfect is one of your best bets.
YouCam Perfect is a photo editor tailored towards editing selfies. While its full list of features will likely speak loudest to hardcore selfie fans, it’s a generally handy little app for what it does.
It probably shouldn’t be your only photo editor, but YouCam Perfect is perfect for selfies.
Gemini Photos
Gemini Photos isn’t a photo editor or strict photography app, but it is one of the best photo companion apps out there.
Gemini Photos allows you to scan and scroll through your photo collection and identify similar photos. From there, it makes it easy to keep the ones you really want and delete the rest. It also helps you easily remove blurry and bad photos.
Not only is this a great app for freeing up storage space on your phone, but it helps you maintain a cleaner photo collection.
ProCamera
While a good DSLR camera can’t quite be replaced by an iPhone, the gap is getting narrower. In any case, ProCamera is certainly one of the best bridges across that gap.
ProCamera adds DSLR control options to your device’s camera. What that means is that you’ll be able to do things like adjusting your shutter speed with a few simple taps. It doesn’t sound like much – and it’s easy to use – but ProCamera makes your phone’s camera significantly more versatile.
Actually, it’s best to download this app now and start learning how to use its best features.
PhotoScan by Google
There was a time when the process of digitizing old photos probably sounded like magic. That time has passed, but the idea of digitizing entire photo albums can be daunting for many.
PhotoScan makes the process significantly less daunting. Actually, it makes the process of digitizing physical photos as easy as possible. It’s not what you would use if you were professionally scanning photos, but it’s certainly easy a great tool for everyone else.
Whether you have old physical photos you’re looking to scan or know someone who does, make sure to check this app out.
Foodie
Foodie is one of the most specific apps on this list, but don’t take that to mean that it doesn’t have its uses.
Yes, this app is designed to enhance photos of your food. The filters and features of this app are specifically designed to enhance common food photos. It would be unnecessary were it not for the fact that it works shockingly well.
If you ever catch yourself taking food photos, give this app a shot and see if it works for you.
Afterlight 2
With so many all-purpose photo editors out there, it can be hard to tell one apart from the other. However, many who know will tell you that Afterlight 2 is just one of the best out there.
Afterlight 2 may not have the most features or any highlight attributes, but it makes up for it all in versatility. There’s very little you can’t do with this app. Taking the time to learn it will result in better general photos and some truly special pictures.
Afterlight 2 is simply one of your best first options when you’re looking to start using a photo editor.
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