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Photography - Top Apps & Tips



Photography - Beyond Instagram


With a smartphone within arm's reach 24/7, it's easy to find yourself constantly snapping and posting pics.  Whether you want to learn how to improve the quality of your everyday photos, have fun with photo editing, or dive deep into the world of photography, here are some free apps, tips, and online sites you may want to give a shot.  


TOP APPS

A Color Story - create fresh, colorful images using lots of filters, trendy effects, and other tools that help to simply customize your photo's look; available on Android and iOS


Adobe Lightroom - pro-level camera features plus an intuitive photo editor with  amazing preset filters that can be easily applied to all your photos at once; available  on Android and iOS


Fotor - an excellent, easy-to-use photo editor and collage maker; available on Android and iOS


Google Snapseed - for beginners and experts alike, this professional-level app can be used for quick edits or for crafting the ideal image


inShot Photo Editor Pro - includes a host of stylish effects, filters, grids and draw tools to edit your photos; available on Android


PicsArt Photo Studio & Collage - go-to, all-in-one photo editor that offers extensive,   flexible, and professional functionality


Pixlr - a comprehensive photo editor for quick results; available on Android and iOS. 


Prisma Photo Editor - cool photo editing app that transforms your photos into works of art


VSCO - easy to use, impressive features and filters, with photo sharing capability [ages 13+]; available on Android and iOS


Note:  Some of these apps require you to purchase add-on features or upgrade to a premium version for sound and other visual effects.

Also try these photo editing sites, some of which also have mobile apps: Canva, Gimp, Adobe Photoshop Express, BeFunky, and Paint.net.


TIPS ON TAKING PICTURES

    • Always keep your camera with you for the unexpected photo op.  Find a place that inspires you--out in nature or an urban environment, for instance.  
    • Experiment taking pictures in different lighting.  
    • Try shooting an object or scene from different perspectives and angles; macro shots (close-up) are especially fascinating.
Want to learn more?  Borrow The Beginner's Photography Guide by Chris Gatchum for a step-by-step manual for getting the most from your digital camera.   Check  ebook   availability.
 
New to OverDrive and the Libby app?  Find out more.

For teens interested in purchasing a dedicated camera for photography, here are some places to start your search:  c heck out the Library's Consumer Reports  Camera Buying Guide  (free with your library card) and this list of best cameras for teens from MommyHighFive.com.