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Although most apps will never be able to replace professional photo editing software, the fact remains that these days we take the majority of photos with our phones, simply because they are always easily accessible.

Considering that these photos rarely make it to our computer’s hard drive before they land on social media, having easy access to a couple of good photo editing apps can make the difference between a decent online photo collection or a great one.

Instagram aside, here are ten photo apps for iPhone and Android that you should know about:

1. Photoshop Touch

This mobile app by Adobe offers many of the same features as its well-known photo editing software, and if you’re already used to the way Photoshop works, this is an excellent option.

A few of its photo editing functions include cropping, resizing, colour and lighting enhancements, and a variety of artistic effects.

2. Camera+

What the smartphone’s default camera app lacks in creative control, Camera+ makes up for.

The app, great for both beginners and professionals, includes several unique features such as the ability to control exposure and focus separately, use the smartphone’s flash continuously to lighten portrait or macro shots, or take rapid streams of photos to capture fast-moving action.

3. ProCapture

If you’re used to regular cameras, ProCapture will be a good fit. Its appearance imitates that of a normal DSLR screen and helps you to achieve the right exposure for photos in low or bright light.

A few other useful features include its panorama mode and the ability to reduce noise by combining two different photos together to capture the best aspects of both.

4. Facetune

Any self-respecting selfie enthusiast will enjoy Facetune immensely. This app is specifically geared to close-up shots, which often tend to be a little more realistic than you’d like.

The app will take care of unflattering blemishes, wrinkles and lines; it will remove the bags under your eyes in those morning-after selfies; and smooth out uneven skin or make subtle changes to skin tone, such as adding a sun-kissed look or hiding the evidence of unflattering sunburns.

5. Autostitch Panorama Pro

Autostitch Panorama Pro for iPhone and Android is the perfect solution for those times when it just isn’t possible to capture a scene or mood in one shot.  

This fully automatic image stitcher allows you to create seamless, high-quality wide-angle views and panoramas by stitching individual full-resolution photos together.  All you’ll have to do is take a few overlapping photos of your subject, and then let Autostitch work its magic.

6. Camera 360

Camera 360 is one of the most popular photo apps with over 150 million users worldwide.

It’s easy-to-use and includes most of the usual features you will need to touch up and enhance your photos or to add special effects before sharing them with friends and family on your favourite social networks.

7. Aviary Photo Editor

Photo Editor by Aviary  is great for quick fixes when you don’t have time to “get fancy”. It has a one-tap-auto enhance feature to improve your photos in one fell swoop, but also includes some specific photo enhancing options like adjusting colour temperature and brightness and contrast, straightening out photos that may be slightly lopsided and removing blur.

8. CameraZOOM FX

CameraZOOM FX has all the filters and editing features you would expect from a photo app, but also includes a few that make it stand out from the crowd.

For instance, its “stable-shot mode” only takes a photo once the camera is steady. This prevents you from ending up with the disappointing blurry images that are all too familiar to mobile photography enthusiasts. It also has a voice activated shooting mode and overlay grids that help you compose the perfect shot.

9. Camera FV5

Camera FV5 is a good option for photo-enthusiasts who are looking for more professional photography and editing options. Its manual-controls are similar to those of a DSLR and you’ll be able to make use of professional options like long exposure mode, ISO, white balance and much more.  

10. Tadaa SLR

This app has one very important feature that you probably won’t want to do without once you’ve tried it. Tadaa allows you to blur the background of any photo and focus solely on the one subject that you want to highlight, which gives your photos depth of field. The strength and type of blur can be adjusted, so you can either exaggerate the effect or keep it subtle.

The apps for tomorrow

Whatever effect you’re looking for, you’ll find an app on the market that will match your needs. Make sure you road test them before heading off for any important events or occasions where your camera will be essential. Keep checking back to your App Store or Play Store as there are always new, innovative products on the market!

Happy snapping!