Armed with an 8 megapixel camera and a plethora of sophisticated camera applications, the photographic possibilities are endless. Check out our 10 favorite iPhone photo apps, and next time, leave that fancy DSLR at home.
1. Instagram
Free for iPhone
AppStore rating: 5 out of 5 stars
We’ll go ahead and get the obvious out of the way first. As of April 13, 2012 Instagram reported 40 million users. And then there’s that whole $1 billion Facebook acquisition thing. Users love this app because it has blossomed into an enthusiastic community in which users can easily create and share beautiful images.
2. Camera+
$0.99 for iPhone
AppStore rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Professional photographers were on board for the development of Camera+ to create tools to beautify your photos, from exposure and focus control to a photo flashlight, camera stabilizer, 6x zoom and effects that rival those of Instagram.
3. Kodak Gallery
Free for iPhone
AppStore rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Brand new updates to the Kodak Gallery app allow users to order prints directly from their iPhone at participating Target and CVS locations. Prints are available in 4×6, 5×7 and 8×10 sizes and the entire process, from order to pickup, is said to take about an hour.
4. Diptic
$0.99 for iPhone
AppStore rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Diptic allows users to combine multiple photos into one image with a variety of format and border options. The app also includes filters and sharing functions.
5. Cinemagram
Free for iPhone
AppStore Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Cinemagram creates subtly animated images on your iPhone. Film a 2-3 second video, select a small portion of the image by drawing it in with your finger, apply one of Cinemagram’s filters and then share via Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook or email. Here’s our first shot at one of these Harry Potter-esque moving images:
6. Camera Awesome
Free for iPhone
AppStore Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The central feature of Camera Awesome is the aptly named “Awesomeize” button, a one-touch photo fix that touches up your photo’s exposure, color, clarity and vibrancy. There are several subsidiary features, including grids to frame your photos, focus and exposure point selection, as well as the always popular filters and effects. One common complaint about the app is that it could use a mobile instruction booklet, which is said to be coming soon.
7. ShakeIt Photo
$1.99 for iPhone
AppStore rating: 4 our of 5 stars
With ShakeItPhoto, snap a picture and then shake to develop as you would with an actual Polaroid. The classic border and filter make it look just like the real thing. The app also includes functions to share via email or Facebook.
8. iPhoto
$4.99 for iPhone
AppStore rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The recently updated version of iPhoto for mobile devices allows users to browse, edit and share photos. The package includes a pretty powerful set of functions: paint photo adjustments, add effects and adjust lighting elements. Plus, iCloud now allows users to publish photo journals that include captions, maps, dates and even weather.
9. Adobe Photoshop Express
Free for iPhone
AppStore rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Photoshop Express contains some of the most basic photoediting tools found in the program’s desktop version. Crop, adjust color and saturation, and add borders or effects. There are also a number of more sophisticated tools available for in-app purchase, like noise reduction and a camera self-timer.
10. Hipstamatic
$1.99 for iPhone
AppStore rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Hipstamatic gives your images a vintage, toy camera feel using a variety of lens, flash and film settings. Easily upload images to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr and Tumblr, or even order prints directly from the app.
Did we neglect your favorite iPhone photo app? Tell us about it below or on Twitter.
