Phone cameras have made photography much easier, but there are tons of apps that can simplify professional photography as well. Here are the most essential.
Photography has been around since the 1800s, but how we capture light to create an image has drastically changed since then. Today, the widespread availability of cameras conveniently tucked away in our pockets has sparked a renewed interest in photography among people from all walks of life, turning it into a popular pursuit and a viable profession.
Just as photography has changed over the years, so too have a photographer’s tools. While the app stores are flooded with countless goofy filter apps, these often lack practicality for serious photographers. Hobbyists and professionals now have access to a ton of useful assistant, planning, and editing apps — provided they navigate through the abundance of silly social media filters first.
To simplify the process, here are 10 essential apps every photographer should have installed. These highly recommended apps cover a range of functionalities, from photo editing to efficient image organization and storage that every photographer will find useful. By incorporating these top-rated apps into your workflow, you can take your photography to the next level.Photographer’s Companion
Many aspiring photographers often rely on the latest DSLR models’ auto mode without fully utilizing the camera’s capabilities. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this approach, you may not be getting the most out of your camera.
If you’ve had some training in DSLR camera settings, you are familiar with the many calculations and adjustments required to capture the perfect shot. While auto mode handles shutter speed, aperture, and ISO automatically, it may not always deliver the precise photo you’ve envisioned.
The Photographer’s Companion app doesn’t take any photos but operates like a mobile sensor that can give you all the settings you need for the current environment. Users can set the app to their particular camera and lens and then find the exact settings they want within the app to get the perfect picture. There are different tools to help photographers with depth of field, nighttime photography, focus, lighting, color, calculations, and a ton more.
Although the many settings and tools may seem overwhelming to beginners, the app serves as a valuable resource to acquaint them with their camera’s full potential. Seasoned veterans will also benefit from the app’s ability to automatically calculate settings, allowing them to focus solely on capturing well-composed and focused shots.
Photographer’s Companion is available for Android in a free version supported by ads, while the full version, Photographers Companion Pro, can be unlocked for $3.49. Considering the multitude of tools it offers, this represents an incredibly affordable entry point for photographers looking to elevate their craft.HyperFocal Pro
Depth of field refers to the area in a photograph that appears visually focused. It plays a crucial role in transforming an ordinary snapshot into an elegant portrait. A prime example of this can be observed through the portrait filters commonly found on modern smartphones. These filters automatically reduce the depth of field, emphasizing a specific subject while blurring the background, resulting in a stunning photo.
Achieving the ideal depth of field typically involves measuring the f-stop on your camera and adjusting the focus based on the specific lens and camera you are using. However, an alternative solution is to utilize the HyperFocal app.
HyperFocal is a user-friendly app designed to accurately calculate the necessary camera settings to achieve a desired field of view. It’s as easy as typing in the make and model of your camera and lens. The app then takes your equipment into consideration and can give you the settings you need to make the perfect portrait.
Even better, HyperFocal is a completely free Android app with zero ads. In fact, the only way to spend money on the app is to click the Buy Us a Coffee button at the bottom of the app.Adobe Lightroom Mobile
Adobe Lightroom is a leading photo editing software recognized for its extensive capabilities. The mobile app version brings the complete editing suite of Adobe Lightroom to your smartphone or tablet. Lightroom allows users to edit photos by adding filters, adjusting lighting, and even removing unwanted objects in your photos, all from your phone.
For a mobile app, Lightroom has the same functionality as its desktop counterpart. More importantly, the app has full cloud integration with the desktop tools, which means that every edit you make on your phone will transfer to your laptop and vice versa. The user interface makes it very easy to edit photos on the fly, and the software is powerful enough that the tools provided will be sufficient for most users’ needs.
Although Adobe is renowned for its exceptional products, it is also known for its relatively high pricing and subscription-based services. Fortunately, you won’t need to take out a loan to afford Lightroom mobile, but it’s still one of the more expensive apps on this list.
