Over the past few years, photo editing has advanced significantly, in large part because of the rise of social media. While social media first encouraged users to shoot images with their mobile phones to share on social channels, people soon realized that ‘filters’ were a terrific method to enhance and edit their content. These filters, meanwhile, were quickly superseded by the requirement for greater adaptability in image enhancement techniques.
here come the photo editing applications. Photo editing applications provided users with a similar experience to basic desktop photo editing tools, giving them more control over how each image can be edited thanks to granular controls for brightness, sharpness, contrast, exposure, saturation, vibrancy, and a number of other aspects.
Photo editing applications, however, became more and more relevant as time went on and mobile photography assumed an even greater significance and serious role. The top mobile photo editing applications today offer a second layer of professional export settings in addition to a number of extra functions, such selective image repairs for fine-tuning photos.
With that in mind, let’s look at the top photo-editing applications for cellphones now available on Android and iOS. These applications also adopt distinctive strategies by specializing in portraits or incorporating animation into backdrops to meet the constantly evolving needs of a generation that grew up with the internet and mobile devices. Here are our selections.
What Is Photo Editing
Photo editing refers to the process of altering and enhancing digital images using software tools. This can be done for a variety of reasons, including to improve the quality of the image, to adjust the composition or color balance, to remove unwanted objects or blemishes, or to create a specific mood or effect.
There are many different software programs available for photo editing, ranging from simple, user-friendly options like Instagram filters to more advanced tools like Adobe Photoshop. Some popular photo editing software includes:
- Adobe Photoshop: This is the most widely used photo editing software, and it is often considered the industry standard. It has a wide range of tools and features that allow you to do everything from basic retouching to complex compositing and manipulation.
- GIMP: This is a free, open-source alternative to Photoshop that is popular among beginners and hobbyists. It has many of the same features as Photoshop, but it is not as powerful or sophisticated.
- Lightroom: This is a photo editing software specifically designed for photographers. It allows you to import, organize, and edit large numbers of photos quickly and efficiently. It also has powerful tools for color correction and image enhancement.
- Instagram: This is a popular photo-sharing app that also has a range of built-in filters and editing tools. It is particularly popular among casual photographers and social media users.
- Canva: This is a graphic design and publishing platform that includes a range of photo editing and manipulation tools. It is popular among bloggers and small business owners who want to create professional-looking graphics and social media posts.
When it comes to photo editing, there are a few basic techniques that are commonly used. These include:
- Cropping: This involves cutting out a portion of the image to change the composition or focus of the photo.
- Resizing: This involves changing the size of the image by increasing or decreasing the number of pixels.
- Color correction: This involves adjusting the color balance of the image to make it look more natural or to create a specific mood or effect.
- Retouching: This involves removing blemishes or imperfections from the image, such as blemishes, red eye, or unwanted objects.
- Adding effects: This involves adding special effects to the image, such as filters, frames, or text.
There are many other techniques and tools that can be used in photo editing, and the specific approach will depend on the software being used and the desired result. Some more advanced techniques include compositing, which involves combining multiple images to create a single image, and image manipulation, which involves altering the image in a way that changes its meaning or context.
In general, photo editing can be a powerful and creative way to transform and enhance digital images. Whether you are a professional photographer or a casual snapper, there are many software options available to help you bring your vision to life.
What To Look For In The Best Photo Editing Apps
When it comes to choosing the best photo editing app, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Ease of use: The app should be easy to navigate and understand, with a user-friendly interface and clear instructions.
- Range of tools and features: The app should have a wide range of tools and features that allow you to make a variety of edits, including cropping, resizing, color correction, and retouching.
- Image quality: The app should be able to produce high-quality results, with minimal loss of image quality when making edits.
- Compatibility: The app should be compatible with your device and operating system, and it should allow you to save and export your edited images in a variety of formats.
- Cost: Consider whether the app is free or if it requires a subscription or one-time purchase. Some apps offer a limited set of features for free, with more advanced tools available for a fee.
- User reviews and ratings: Look for apps that have good reviews and ratings from other users. This can give you a sense of the app’s reliability and effectiveness.
- Support: Look for apps that offer good support, including tutorials, FAQs, and customer service, in case you have questions or need help.
Ultimately, the best photo editing app will depend on your specific needs and goals. Some popular options to consider include Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, GIMP, and Canva. It may be helpful to try out a few different apps to see which one works best for you.
Best Photo Editing Apps
1. Snapseed
Snapseed is a photo editing app developed by Google. It is available for iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play.
Snapseed is known for its wide range of tools and features that allow you to make a variety of edits to your photos, including cropping, resizing, color correction, and retouching. It also has a range of filters and effects that you can apply to your images to create specific moods or styles.
One of the standout features of Snapseed is its “Selective” tool, which allows you to make precise adjustments to specific areas of your image. This can be particularly useful for fine-tuning the exposure, color, or contrast in certain areas of your photo.
In addition to its editing tools, Snapseed also has a range of organization and management features, including the ability to create folders and albums to organize your photos.
Overall, Snapseed is a popular and highly rated photo editing app that is suitable for both beginners and more experienced photographers. It is easy to use and offers a wide range of tools and features that allow you to make a variety of edits to your photos.
2. Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Lightroom is a photo editing and management software developed by Adobe Systems. It is available for both desktop computers and mobile devices and is widely used by professional photographers and enthusiasts alike.
Lightroom is designed specifically for photographers and includes a range of powerful tools and features for importing, organizing, and editing large numbers of photos. It also has advanced features for color correction and image enhancement, including the ability to create and apply presets to quickly apply consistent edits to multiple images.
One of the key features of Lightroom is its non-destructive editing capabilities. This means that the original photo is preserved and all edits are saved as separate “adjustments” that can be modified or undone at any time. This allows you to experiment with different edits without permanently altering the original image.
Lightroom is available as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of software, which includes a range of other creative tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator. It is available on a subscription basis and includes both a desktop version and a mobile app.
Overall, Adobe Lightroom is a powerful and feature-rich photo editing and management software that is suitable for professional photographers and serious enthusiasts. It offers a wide range of tools and features for importing, organizing, and editing photos, as well as advanced color correction and image enhancement capabilities.
3. Canva
Canva is a graphic design and publishing platform that is popular among bloggers, small business owners, and social media users. It is available online and as a mobile app and offers a range of design and editing tools, including a photo editor.
One of the key features of Canva’s photo editor is its range of pre-designed templates and layouts that allow you to quickly and easily create professional-looking graphics and social media posts. It also has a range of editing tools, including cropping, resizing, and color correction, as well as a range of filters and effects that you can apply to your images.
In addition to its photo editing capabilities, Canva also offers a range of design tools for creating graphics, presentations, and other visual content. It has a user-friendly interface and is easy to use, making it a popular choice for beginners and non-designers.
Canva is available on a subscription basis, with a range of pricing options available. It also offers a limited set of features for free, including access to a selection of templates and design elements.
Overall, Canva is a versatile and user-friendly platform that is popular among bloggers, small business owners, and social media users. Its photo editor offers a range of tools and features for basic photo editing and manipulation, as well as pre-designed templates and layouts for quickly creating professional-looking graphics and social media posts.
4. Afterlight
Afterlight is a photo editing app that is available for iOS and Android devices. It is known for its wide range of editing tools and filters, as well as its user-friendly interface and easy-to-use features.
One of the key features of Afterlight is its range of filters and effects, which include a range of pre-designed filters as well as the ability to create and save your own custom filters. It also has a range of basic editing tools, including cropping, resizing, and color correction, as well as more advanced features like selective adjustments and image overlays.
Afterlight also includes a range of organization and management features, including the ability to create folders and albums to organize your photos. It is available for purchase from the App Store or Google Play and does not require a subscription.
Overall, Afterlight is a popular and highly rated photo editing app that is suitable for both beginners and more experienced photographers. It offers a wide range of tools and features for basic photo editing and manipulation, as well as a range of filters and effects that allow you to create specific moods or styles.
5. VSCO
VSCO (pronounced “visco”) is a photo editing app that is available for iOS and Android devices. It is known for its range of filters and effects, as well as its focus on creating a community of photographers and content creators.
One of the key features of VSCO is its range of filters, which are designed to emulate the look and feel of film photography. It also has a range of basic editing tools, including cropping, resizing, and color correction, as well as more advanced features like selective adjustments and image overlays.
In addition to its photo editing capabilities, VSCO also includes a social component, allowing users to share their edited photos with the VSCO community and discover new photographers and content. It is available for download from the App Store or Google Play and offers a range of in-app purchases and subscription options.
Overall, VSCO is a popular photo editing app that is known for its range of film-inspired filters and its focus on creating a community of photographers and content creators. It offers a range of tools and features for basic photo editing and manipulation, as well as more advanced features for fine-tuning specific areas of your image.
6. Pixlr
Pixlr is a photo editing software that can be used online or as a mobile app. It provides a range of tools and features for editing and enhancing photos, including options for cropping, resizing, rotating, adjusting brightness and contrast, and applying filters and effects. Pixlr also includes basic drawing and text-adding tools, as well as support for layering and masking. The software is designed for both professional and amateur photographers, and offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to get started
7. Prisma
Prisma is a software tool that allows users to transform their photos into works of art using artificial intelligence. It uses a combination of neural networks and artificial intelligence to analyze and modify the pixels in an image, replicating the styles of famous paintings, drawings, or other artistic styles. With Prisma, users can choose from a variety of different artistic styles, including Impressionism, Surrealism, and Pop Art, and apply them to their own photos to create unique and creative images. The tool is available on both iOS and Android devices, as well as on the web.
8. Visage
Visage is a software tool or application that allows users to edit and enhance the appearance of their photos or images. It typically includes features such as facial recognition, which can identify and isolate specific features on a person’s face, and allow users to make adjustments to those features, such as smoothing out wrinkles or blemishes, or enhancing the shape of the eyes or lips. Visage may also include other tools for adjusting the overall look of an image, such as brightness, contrast, and color balance. It is available on various platforms, including desktop, mobile, and web-based applications.
9. Bazaart
Bazaart is a photo editing and design app that allows users to create and edit images on their mobile devices. It includes a range of tools and features for enhancing and manipulating photos, including filters, effects, and overlays, as well as a range of tools for creating collages, adding text and stickers, and making other types of edits. Bazaart is available on both iOS and Android devices, and it is designed to be easy to use, with an intuitive interface and a wide range of customizable options. Some of the key features of Bazaart include the ability to remove the background from an image, add text and stickers to images, and create professional-quality designs using pre-designed templates and graphics.
10. Picsart
PicsArt is a photo editing and graphic design app that allows users to create and edit images on their mobile devices. It includes a range of tools and features for enhancing and manipulating photos, such as filters, effects, and overlays, as well as a range of tools for creating collages, adding text and stickers, and making other types of edits.
PicsArt is available on both iOS and Android devices, and it is designed to be easy to use, with an intuitive interface and a wide range of customizable options. Some of the key features of PicsArt include the ability to remove the background from an image, add text and stickers to images, and create professional-quality designs using pre-designed templates and graphics. PicsArt also has a social aspect, allowing users to share their creations with others and browse and interact with a community of other creatives.
References:
pcmag.com – The Best Mobile Photo Editing Apps for 2022
perfectcorp.com – 15 Best Free Photo Editing Apps for iPhone & Android in 2023
iphonephotographyschool.com – The 10 Best Photo Editing Apps For iPhone (2022 Edition)
