The rise of mobile devices has proliferated applications designed for photography or that can be useful for lovers of this discipline. It is difficult to know what to choose and what the really useful apps for our smartphones and/or cameras can be. For this reason, we have made a selection of recommended utilities for photography that we will offer in several parts.
First of all, we are going to focus on the apps designed for the whole process that would take place before the shot itself and until the moment of shooting, either with the same phone or as support for our camera.
The first ones have usually been designed to allow a better control when photographing with the mobile, either offering us the control of the shutter speed and the diaphragm (that the mobiles do not usually provide), the option to record in RAW format or Other features. The second ones are designed to be a compliment that helps us in certain situations to know exactly where the sun is going to go or how to adjust the parameters of our camera when making a photo of a night sky.
We have intentionally left out of the list applications like AZ Camera, Camera FV-5, Manual Camera, Manual - RAW, PhotoRAW, Pro Cam 4, RAW by 500px, Obscura Camera, ProShot and ProCamera which are all tools that allow us to expand the possibilities of the cameras of our smartphones and all of which we already talked about in this other article about mobile apps to take advantage of the RAW files.
So we go with the list of mobile applications for terminals with Android OS and iOS designed for photographers and useful in the process of taking photos:
Black:
If you like black and white photography, you have a good ally in B & W Film Emulator, an application that allows you to emulate some of the most popular films among chemistry professionals, Agfa, Fuji, Kodak, Ilford ... In addition to making photos simulating these emulsions, also allows to retouch levels, curves and make vignettes, among other functions. It is available in an iOS version for free (and there is also a version for Windows Phone 8).
Camera +:
This app that promises to fall in love with our camera regardless of our knowledge, is designed to provide Apple devices with a large number of photographic functions. Regarding the taking of images, Camera + allows you to independently manage the manual controls of the camera (ISO, focal length, shutter speed ...) as well as some other functions such as using the flashlight as a continuous light of filling, a grid to help us compose or tactile approach and exposure.
In addition, it also offers photo management possibilities, a light table, simple but complete editing functions (according to its creators) and, of course, options to share the images. Available in iPhone version at a cost of 2.99 euros, there is also an iPad version with a price of 4.99 euros.
Camera Zoom FX:
It claims to be "the fastest camera for Android" thanks to offering a burst mode for terminals with the OS created by Google. Of course, Camera Zoom FX offers complete manual controls to make the mobile resemble an SLR camera: RAW shooting, ISO sensitivity, focus distance, exposure and shutter speed (only for phones with Lollipop). In addition, it also offers timer, silent mode, HDR and timelapse and possibilities to retouch the photos taken. Available in Android version only with a cost of 3.79 euros.
Cortex Camera:
The idea of this app is very simple: Combine several individual photographs taken in low light situations to create a single image of high quality and without noise. Cortex Camera does it in real time and in a transparent way for the user promising clear photos even if no tripod is used. In addition, it also allows you to take pictures with other features such as the silk effect. Until recently it was only available for iOS devices for 2.99 euros, but there is already an Android version and costs 3.09 euros.
GorillaCam:
Developed by Joby, the same as the famous Gorillapod tripod, the GorillaCam app is designed to be used with your mobile on a tripod since it is dedicated to facilitating the taking of photos thanks to the configurable self-timer, level bubble function, stabilizer of the image as well as a burst shooting mode. In addition, it also allows you to make stop-motion and time-lapse videos in a very simple way since the videos are created automatically directly in the app. Available in iOS version for free.
Halide Cam:
Another app designed to have a "premium camera" in the mobile but that seems different thanks to an exclusive touch control interface that promises to use "as intuitive and tactile as an old Leica or Pentax". Of course, Halide Cam allows you to control the focus (automatic or manual) and exposure, and offers features such as live histogram, a superimposed grid to facilitate framing and RAW capture. Available in an iOS version with a cost of 4.99 euros.
Long exposure calculator:
An application that is eminently simple but will be very useful for those who want to take long day exposure photographs using neutral density filters. Thus, Long Exposure Calculator helps determine the correct exposure time and speed in the camera indicating the type of filter used (supports filters of up to 20 steps). Available in iOS version for free.
Photopills:
An authentic off-road app designed for all types of photographers. Photopills is a kind of "personal photo assistant" that includes a multitude of tools to help plan shots offering data on the position of the sun and the moon, when the sun goes down, etc. To do this, it includes augmented reality functions and 2D maps to show you where the sun, the moon, and the Milky Way are going to be at the moment you want to take the photo so you can plan the shot.
It also promises to help calculate exposure times, hyperfocal distance, depth of field and has tools to facilitate taking timelapses. As if all this were not enough, you can also create lists of planned photos so that they do not happen to you, discover new locations and create a database of places you want to keep for the future. Available in Android and iOS versions with a cost of 9.99 and 10.99 euros (respectively).
Pocket Light Meter:
A mobile phone can hardly replace a photometer, but Pocket Light Meter can be useful for measuring light (reflected though, because to have a photometer that measures incident light you have to resort to solutions like this) and have a photometer always in the pocket to facilitate the correct exposure calculations for your photos. Available in Android and iOS versions, it has a cost of 0.59 euros in the mobile version with Google OS and is free for Apple terminals.
Sun Surveyor:
Similar to Photopills, this application is designed to predict the positions of the sun and the moon in order to be prepared when taking photos that include these stars. To do this, Sun Surveyor also uses augmented reality and other specific modules such as a 3D compass, camera view, moon phase calendar or map view, which allows you to see the positions of the Sun and the Moon superimposed on an interactive map with the Google Maps API. Available in Android and iOS versions with a cost of 8.49 and 9.99 euros (respectively).
The Photographer's Ephemeris:
Like the previous one, it is another app designed to plan the shots according to the position of the stars to make the most of natural light. The Photographer's Ephemeris boasts of having been created "for photographers by a photographer in 2009", and among its functions is a position calculator for the sun and the moon to be able to preview what light is like anywhere on Earth, both day and night at night. It also offers seven different types of maps (including two available offline) and a night mode with a three-dimensional representation of the Milky Way. Available in different versions (included for desktop), the version for Android and iOS have a cost of 3.09 and 8.99 euros (respectively).
And with this, we end up waiting, as always, for the article to be useful to you. Of course, we are aware that it is impossible to collect all the apps that exist so that, as on other occasions, we have to make use of that "not all of them are, but they are all of them". In any case, we thank you for your contribution in the comments if you consider it appropriate.
