Fortunately, here at Car-tel Communications we are phone camera fanatics. We've tried all sorts of apps and gadgets to turn our blurry dull photos into the phone camera equivalent of a Van Gogh. Below you will find exactly what you need to not only edit your pictures, but also order photo-prints from your phone, take 3D photos, and create seamless panoramas.
Photosynth
Available: iOS, Android & Windows
Description: Photosynth
is an app that allows you to create a full photo 360 experience and share with
others. You are able to create albums, follow other Photosynth users, and are
able to comment, like and share others photos.
See the world through others eyes.
How to get
started: First download the app from the app store. Once Photosynth
is downloaded open the app and login with your Microsoft account. If you don’t
have one you are able to create on directly through the app, you then verify
the account via email. Once the account has been created and verified you are
ready to create a username, be creative the world can see this! You’re then
ready to begin to capture the world around you and share it for everyone else to see.
User
Experience: 4.5 / 5
This app earned the 4.5 because of its simplicity and what
you’re able to view. The set up took five minutes and I was able to immediately
start taking photos. The app layout is easy to navigate and there are a good
amount of search results that appear when you search for a specific type of
photo. The only downfall is the app isn’t used by any of my friends so I am
viewing photos strictly from other Photosynth users.
Best
Features:
- Allows you to have a different view. Normally when you are looking at pictures you are able to see just the photo this app allows you to feel like you’re standing in the middle of the street or landscape of the photo
- Ease of use: taking the photos couldn’t be easier the camera aligns itself so you don’t miss any section of the photo and automatically combines the photos and is ready to be shared immediately
Magisto
Available: iOS & Android
Description: Magisto is an app that allows you to
select photos and video clips from your album and play them to music. The app
then creates the video you then have the ability to share the video with
through social media, email, text message or on your time line. Magisto also
gives you the ability to record a video directly through the app. You are also
able to explore other Magisto user video to get inspired to create more of your
own.
How to get started: Download the app from the app store.
Once downloaded open up the app and create a login you can use an existing
login, Facebook or an email address. Once the account is created you simply
give the app access to your album and select the photos you want to see in your
new Magisto video.
User Experience: 3.5 / 5
I gave
Magisto a 3.5 for a few reasons. First I love the creativity that that app
offers. It allows you to make videos that are special to you and allows you to
share them with others. The ease of the app is great selecting the photos and
the music. I would however recommend you try the full version of the app. This
allows you more storage space for your videos and allows you to make longer
videos rather than the clips that you make with the free version. It can get a
little expensive if you aren’t a frequent user at $4.99 a month or $19.99 a
year.
Best Features:
- With a premium subscription ($4.99 a month or $19.99 a year) you can create longer movies, have unlimited cloud storage for all of your movies, and upload up to 30 clips & pictures for your movies.
- Creates the montage in time with the music and allows videos to play.
Shutterfly
Available: Android & iOS
Description:
Shutterfly is an app that allows you to order photo-prints, mountable photos,
photo-mugs, and more all from the photos you have on your phone. It’s simple
and easy to use, ordering is a breeze and prices are cheap.
How to get Started: Download
the app from the app-store, open it and allow it a few seconds to access the
pictures stored in your phone. After that, simply explore the app to find the
perfect photo-gift.
User Experience: 5/5
This app is awesome for those of us who don’t remember
anyone’s birthday until the week of. You can quickly find old photos on your
phone and order a personalized gift in no time. Shutterfly offers everything
from personalized phone and laptop cases to keychains, photo-coasters, and
ceramic ornaments.
Best Features:
- Easy and simple to use
- Order photos directly from your phone or laptop
- Large variety of gift options
Diptic
Available: Android & iOS
Description: Diptic
is a photo collage app. It allows you to stitch photos together into murals
that you can then post to social media.
How to get started: First download Diptic from the Google Play or iOS App Store. Open the
app and select a collage layout you would like to use. With that selected, you
can tap each window to add a photo from your camera roll. Then, adjust the
width, angle, and pattern of borders between the images, save, and upoad!
User Experience: 5/5
Diptic is about as close to
flawless a collage app as you can find. Its interface is simple, but deep. Its
menus are very easy to understand. And it maintains the resolution of your
photos when you save them.
Best Features:
- Easily create collages to upload to almost any social media platform directly.
- Choose your resolution to save your collage with.
- Automatically creates a square collage for instagram.
VSCO Cam
Available: Android & iOS
Description: Vsco
Cam is a camera replacement app. It allows users to take photos while
manipulating a variety of variables during shooting, as well as edit photos
afterward using the simple interface.
How to get started: First download VSCO Cam from the App Store. Open the app and allow
access to your Camera and Camera Roll. Once you have taken a photo, you can
choose to edit it further, or upload it to almost any social media platform.
User Experience: 4/5
I give this app a 4/5 because it offers an heretofore unseen level of
customization and control over your iPhone’s camera. The point loss, however
comes from the sometimes obtuse interface, especially to those who have never
worked with or edited photos.
Best Features:
- Adjust where your camera focuses and automatically draws exposure value independent of one another.
- Use Various filters and editing techniques to customize your image and ready it for social media.
