If you’re a
professional photographer or a progressing hobbyist, you might find that the
native camera on your smartphone, while serviceable, doesn’t quite impress you
as much as the real thing. However, if you’re still looking for a way to get
some photographic use out of your trusty gadget, there are a variety of apps
that can provide some creative enjoyment, even if they don’t quite stack up
against the more powerful abilities of your digital standalone. So if you’re
interested in using your phone’s camera as a fun, informal side kick to the
real thing, here are 5 smartphone apps that show you the range of what’s
available:
GIF Camera
This app lets you make short GIF files with your
smartphone’s video recording capabilities, add an impressive amount of
animations and effects, and then share them through its network. Similar in
function to apps like Cinemagram or Vine, what makes GIF Camera stand out is
its extremely easy-to-use interface and—for those inclined—its lack of focus on
social-media based uploads.
Paper Camera
We’ve all seen the image-editing programs that change
standard photos into sketches, cartoons, and other
colorful and whacky formats,
but Paper Camera is an app that actually lets you apply this kind of filter
before you take the picture, transforming anything in your smartphone’s
viewfinder into whatever format you select. If you’re interested in seeing what
the world looks like as a living cartoon, this app will definitely impress.
Multi-Lens Camera
This app gives you several camera displays at once, letting
you simultaneously take up to 6 pictures from different angles. If you’re
looking to capture a more natural-looking shot of a loved one, or you’re
interested in generating a lot of content in a hurry for a collage or
slideshow, Multi-Lens Camera can definitely help.
Pudding Camera
One of the smartphone apps that comes closest to simulating
some of the features of a professional model, Pudding Camera gives you a
variety of aspect ratios, shots, and subtler effects than the more comical apps
offer. If you’re actually looking for a decent suite of imaging tools—rather
than something that makes your shots look like photos from a 1940’s
newspaper—then this app is for you.
Silent Camera
True to its name, Silent Camera lets you take shot after
covert shot without the sound effect of a shutter going off. If you’re always
trying to get a picture without a friend or family member posing beforehand, or
you’re simply looking to be more courteous with your smartphone sound, this app
does a great job of letting you shoot fast, quiet photos at a moment’s notice.
These apps are just a small sample of what’s out there, so
if anything here strikes your eye, there will inevitably be a dozen more with slightly
different variations or features that you might enjoy more. If you stop holding
your smartphone camera to the same standards as your 20 megapixel Canon, you’ll
find it can be a very serviceable and enjoyable tool for when you don’t want to
lug your standalone digital somewhere.
Author bio:
John is a blogger who always takes horrible photos when he’s in charge of the camera, but can still recognize good software when he sees it. He writes for Internet insurer Protect Your Bubble, who can help protect your smartphone from drops, spills, and all the other damage that can occur when you’re trying to get the perfect shot of something.
