8 Must-Have Photo-Editing Apps

The rapidly-improving cameras on smartphones and tablets are opening up whole new possibilities for amateur and professional photographers alike. Higher resolutions, better sensors, and flexible shutter speeds have elevated these pocket cameras to the level of the better point-and-shoots or even the more affordable DSLRs.

And along with the improved hardware have come hundreds of slick photo-editing and special effects apps. These apps can transform even the most mundane photo or video into a work of art – or at least something worthy of Facebook! Here are 8 of our favorites:

• ProCam

  Pro Cam converts your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad to look and feel like a real pocket camera. ProCam superimposes a customized user interface, with all the photographic controls and functions that you are used to on a leading-edge point-and-shoot. A rotatable screen dial, a zoom knob, and the phone’s volume buttons give you complete flexibility, while an on-screen status bar displays the current settings and battery level. Requires iOS 5.

  Platform: iOS
  Price: $0.99

• PuddingCamera

  PuddingCamera offers an array of fun but professional-style filters and special effects to transform even the plainest of photos into something of interest. Different aspect ratios and multi-frame options allow you to experiment with your set-up, while the real-time effects preview enables you to zero in on the exact filters and effects that you want. A choice of 8 retro film looks add variety, and a host of sharing functions get your photos online in a few easy clicks.

  Platform: iOS, Android
  Price: Free

• Photo Grid

  
  Photo Grid allows you to arrange up to 9 different photos in a collage. You can edit the grid, rotate photos, zoom, and switch them around by tapping and swiping with your fingers. You can choose image templates, add borders and special effects, and share your creations via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and e-mail. Great for family photos, vacation pictures, and more.

  Platform: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
  Price: Free

• Adobe Photoshop Express

  Adobe Photoshop Express is one of the oldest and more popular photo-editing apps, offering users a variety of different ways to improve photos with easy, one-touch commands. Basic editing tools include crop, rotate, brightness, contrast, color enhancement, and a host of filters and effects. In-app purchases offer additional special effects, as well Adobe Camera Pack for ‘noise’ reduction features, timers, auto review, and more.

  Platform: iOS, Android
  Price: Free

• Cinemagram

  Ever wondered how to create those animated photos? Cinemagram makes it easy! Just shoot a short four second video clip, apply your choice of filters and special effects, and you have a clever part-photo, part-video ‘cinemagraph.’ Clips can be shared through Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr, and you can even tag friends and add captions.

  Platform: iOS
  Price: Free

• Photosynth

  Photosynth is a ‘panorama creation’ app, which produces amazing panoramas of places, people and events by seamlessly stitching together a collection of sequential images. With Photosynth, you can see your panoramas take shape as you capture them, and zoom, pan or rotate your panorama in any direction. You can capture panoramas up and down, as well as left to right, and share them on Facebook, Twitter and Bing Maps.

  Platform: iOS
  Price: Free

• Hipstamatic

  With the tag line “digital photography never looked so analog,” Hipstamatic transforms your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad screen into a leather bound camera, complete with an old-fashioned viewfinder and a slot for film. With the swipe of a finger, you can change lenses, flash and film, and add different filters. Additional lens and special effects packs are available as in-app purchases and photos can be shared with friends or ordered as prints.

  Platform: iOS
  Price: $1.99

• GifBoom

  GifBoom is another app for making animated photos (GIFs), complete with dozens of static and animated special effects to make them unique. You can import videos from your camera roll, shoot new video at variable speeds, and get live previews of your work. You can store your GIFs in your own gallery and browse millions of other GIFs right from your phone. Instant upload features are available for networking and online display

  Platform: iOS, Android
  Price: Free

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