5 Photo Editing Apps You Need to Install on your Smartphone Right Now

I am sharing with you 5 photo editing apps that I have installed on my phone. Apps that I have been using since I pushed myself to taking mobile photography as a serious hobby. These apps are user-friendly and free. These are your dependable post-processing partners every time you need to enhance your photos to achieve the look you imagined.

In terms of the rules in editing, I really have not established one. I also do not limit myself to how others have perceived my edited photos. There is a thin line that separates an enhanced image to a manipulated photo, however, I also agree that, technically speaking, every photo that is not SOOC (straight-out-of-the-camera) is manipulated.

I think that editing a photo is a matter of creative preference. The look of your photo depends on how you imagined the image in your mind. If the image can be achieved by editing, then so be it. Regardless of the gravity of enhancements made on the photo, what is important is that you, the photographer, is satisfied with the end result.

Some may say that as mobile photographer, you need to develop your shooting skills instead of becoming a great “editor”. However, I believe that both skills are partners in crime and not two separate entities. Your editing skill is part and parcel of your being a mobile photographer.

Now, here are the mobile apps that you should install right now while reading this.

1. Snapseed
Currently, Snapseed is my go-to app. Most, if not all, of my photos are enhanced using this app. I like the app because you can see the changes made on the photo real-time. It has many tools and features you can use to enhance your photo including a healing tool. If you find it difficult to manually edit your photos, it has provided filters which you can use to make your photo instagrammable. It has also an option where you can save the looks you created for your photo in order to use them on related images.

Features I love:
a. Tune Image
b. Healing Tool
c. Face Tool
d. Filter – Grainy Film (L05, X01 and X03)

2. Lightroom Mobile
LR is also a great mobile app, I use it together with Snapseed. Though I do not initially edit my photos using LR, but whenever I am still not satisfied with the results after editing in snapseed, I immediately seek LR’s help. In LR, I am able to reduce the noise on my photo and make it look clean and smooth. I am also able to adjust the vibrance, white/black levels and details on my photo using the app. Like snapseed you can also save the look of the photo and copy it to others. What I do not like in LR is that I am not able to see the changes made my photo as I click the buttons. It takes a few seconds to apply the enhancements. I actually have not maximized the features of LR. There are many options I have not tried yet.

Features I love:
a. Noise Reduction
b. Basic Tuning
c. Dehaze Tool

3. Picsart
I installed Picsart during the time when I was looking for an app that can add blur effects to my photos. Apart from the usual tuning tools, this app provides plenty of effects that can change the look of your photo. If you want to make your photo an out-of-this-world piece of artwork then this can the perfect app for you.

Features I love:
a. Blur Effect
b. Lens Flare
c. Magic Tool

4. Pixlr
Before I discovered Snapseed, Pixlr was my editing hero. It actually has almost the same features and capabilities that snapseed has. I just like the user-interface of Snapseed better that is why I prefer using it at present. So, I still suggest you to try Pixlr because it might be different in your case. Who knows, you might have a great experience with Pixlr and end up liking it more than the other apps.

Features I love:
a. Overlays and Stickers
b. Healing Tool
c. Text Tool

5. Photogrid
Photogrid is a great app to use if you want to create a collage of your photos. You can create a collage using as many as 15 photos. It has also plenty of layouts to choose from. Aside from being a collage-maker, it also has options where you can enhance or edit the photos individually. It provides various filters as well.

Features I love:
a. Collage Options
b. Filters
c. Face Retouch

I hope this post is informative and helpful. Enjoy shooting and editing your photos. If you wish to share your photos with me, please feel free to do so. Just give the link of your photo on the comment section. Thank you.

All photos were taken using my LG V20 smartphone.

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