After doing iPhoneography (it’s a thing) for a few companies professionally, I realized that while Instagram has lots of filters to choose from and the basic photo editing tools, I find that the photo sharing app just isn’t enough to satiate my lust for high quality photography. Lately I’ve been taking behind-the-scenes photos of the office for Chictopia’s Instagram and to be honest I don’t actually do anything in Instagram itself - all photo editing is done within other apps
When it comes to posting photos of cool spaces, art gallery exhibits, lunch at Bun Mee, and #OOTDs, I go to the best tools that are used by the pros. I’m going to let you in on some of the best iPhone apps in the photography circle to beef up your Instagram pics. Plus, all these apps are free (#sweet) and all but one are available on both the iPhone and Android, making it easy for anyone to get that picture-perfect photo.
VSCO Cam
Available on: iPhone and Android
VSCO Cam is the easiest but also one of the most powerful photo editing apps out there. The app offers a number of photo enhancing filters (C1 is the standard choice at Chictopia), easy-to-use but robust editing tools such as temperature, exposure and tint adjustment, and a result that is always high quality. There’s also a really cool community of photographers on VSCO that are pretty awe-inspiring.
Insta picframes
Available on: iPhone and Android
Insta picframes is a great app to get that collage photo, especially for when you have head-to-toe OOTDs that can’t fit in the square frame but would look great in a side by side shot. There are many frame options plus Insta picframes lets you save projects and export photos as high-res images unlike most other collage-making apps.
Squareready
Available on: iPhone
Not quite feeling the square frame of Instagram? This app lets you do a little trick when you don’t want to conform to Instagram’s square ratio. Squareready lets you pseudo-create a landscape or portrait photo that has your customizable dimensions while still fitting Instagram’s square ratio. Basically, the app allows you to add a white background to your photo while you resize and adjust the photo in front of it.
Dropbox
Available on: iPhone and Android
A necessity for all photographers is the Dropbox app. When you’re pulling photos from your laptop, iPad or elsewhere and you want a quick way to access it on your iPhone, the Dropbox app is the best way to go. Simply connect your Dropbox account to the app and you’ll be able to quickly access your photos from anywhere.
Some photography tips for iPhoneographers:
→ Turn off your data/WiFi while you’re photo editing on your iPhone. This’ll prevent those pesky ads from popping up on your screen.
→ Always take multiple shots with the iPhone, particularly one closeup and another from a few steps back so that you have the option to crop into the photo however close you’d like.
→ Find the “hero” of the photo. The hero is what initially intrigued you to take a photo - it can be an object, a building, or a pair of shoes. Either way, identify the hero and don’t forget it while editing.
For when Instagram just isn't cutting it, these are the best apps for photographers or anyone aspiring to be an iPhoneographer. So, what’s your favorite iPhoneography app? Tell us in the comments or share your tips with us in the Photography or Technology forum boards. Don't forget to share your photos via the Chictopia app to give your OOTD some extra exposure, or check out the street style on Chictopia and in your neighborhood.
