PicsArt — Photo Studio

by PicsArt-2014

(9/10)

There are only a handful of apps out there that can really satisfy a professional image editor and PicsArt Photo Studio seems to fulfill that criterion quite well.

As with the majority of photo-editing apps, you can either use it to snap a picture with your camera or go through your camera roll, but unlike with other apps, you can also directly access anything in your online repository and start editing the images already there. That includes Facebook, Google Plus and Dropbox, among others. The neatly laid out user interface takes you to its photo-sharing community that’s filled with great pictures stacked one over another. Tap any one of those and the image tells its story, which is a magnificent feature in its own way. You can either choose to edit a picture, create a collage, draw freely or take a picture from your camera.

Many amateur photo editors may think that the app’s including too many features might seem like an overkill (which it probably is), but everything is laid out neatly enough that one does get overwhelmed by them. From basic features such as cropping, effects, enhancements, frames, texts, etc, PicsArt Photo Studio takes it to the next level with its hundreds of clip arts, and image-masking and image-resizing options. In fact, simply ticking off the features alone can be exhausting.

The app is not only a photo editor or a collage maker or an image grid but also works quite well as a drawing tool and has its own community. With an arsenal of editing options and tons of features all packed into one delightful free app, it is a must-have for all those who would like to fool around with images and share them with others like themselves.

Pros

Easy access to all your images anywhere, with tons of features that give you total control over your edits. Furthermore, the app also serves as a social network for artists and photographers with its own community.

Cons

While it may be a blessing for image editors, with its jam-packed features, it might also be very daunting for average users. At some point, one might wonder if it’s all too much.

Conclusion

A great app without a doubt for demanding image editors.

Snapseed

by Nik Software

(8.5/10)

After years of developing pro-level effects for Photoshop, Nik Software finally stepped into the game with its popular photo-editing app Snapseed.

If you want a quick overview of the app’s capabilities, you can start by taking a new picture or accessing your photo library, which comes with the option for directly pasting any image copied earlier from another source. The user interface, you’ll find, is very detailed yet very simple. The editing options are laid out well—with a wide range of features to choose from. As you delve further into the editing process, you’ll find the simple swipe-and-select feature a breeze to use. It literally takes a minute to understand that vertical and horizontal swipe gestures are all you need to craft your own little piece of art. At any point, if you do get confused (highly unlikely), you can always tap on the HELP display on the top right corner.

Along with basic image-editing tools, Snapseed gives its users control over any specific part of the image through its Selective Adjustment tool. At any time during your edits, you can tap the picture icon-’Compare’, to view the original image and compare the difference. Nik Software has not shieded away from using Sharpener Pro, the Photoshop plugin that handles the sharpening of the image exceptionally well, bringing out the hidden textures. Another notable feature that makes this app a great accessory is its ‘tilt-shift’ feature. Not to be mistaken for a mere miniaturization and saturation tool, it is a geometry effect normally achieved through the use of costly lenses.

Pros

Simple yet efficient and surprisingly powerful for a free app. Nothing seems to be missing despite not being a purchased product and nothing is held back by the developers as well. It’s sophisticated photo-editing made simple.

Cons

Lack of a sharing option on Instagram or Flickr, which may not be a deal-breaker, but is surely a minor setback. Also, a photo-sharing network of its own would have

been great.

Conclusion

Powerful editor with a clear interface. For avid photographers, the results will speak for themselves.

Aviary Photo Editor

by Aviary

(8.5/10)

Originally starting out as an SDK (software development kit) for the multimillion-dollar companies, Aviary has finally made its way into developing a neatly designed photo-editing app for the iOS. It has every feature one could ask for in a handheld device, while also meeting the standards of every photo editor.

Its simple yet sophisticated user interface should be appealing to the casual social uploader and the more serious editing fanatics alike. It is surprising how easy it is to get a handle on this app without wasting precious hours fiddling around with its features. With simple Photoshop elements like blemish remover, blur, redeye remover and the whitening feature, among others, all it takes is a few seconds with it to touch up your latest snap and remove those annoying imperfections before uploading it on your preferred social networking site. Another handy feature is its Sticker and Meme tool, which are surprisingly rare on other photo-editing apps. Also, you can switch back and forth through various stages of editing by simply swiping left and right, thus giving you more control over your actions than with any other app.

Pros

Plenty of editing options and effects for every use, with a simple and neat interface. You can also customise the tool placement through settings, and it has a decent sharing option.

Cons

Despite being a great app, some additional features need to be bought, which feels somewhat restrictive. Also, no Tilt-Shift feature.

Conclusion

Simple, neat, and packed with features, Aviary gets the job done with ease and finesse.