Photography App Reviews
App #01 - Google Photos
'Google Photos' is a app which is made by 'Google Inc.'which collects photos and videos together and organizes all of your photo. It currently has over a hundred million downloads with a rating of 4.3 out of 5. The 'Google Photos' Application is available on Android, iOS and desktop browsers. You can edit photos in many different ways.
Features to edit and modify images are:
-Changing the light
-Changing the colour
-Adding a pop effect
-Adding a vignette effect around the edges
-Rotate and crop the photos
-Add filters
-Choose the percentage of the filter being used
Pros:
-Easy to use
-Does not require you to be a professional
-Does not require any editing experience
-Keeps the photo in the original resolution after editing.
-Fast and user friendly
Cons:
-The editing features aren't shown or advertised
-I had to find the editing features myself
-Missing some important tools such as blur and spot correction
I would recommend this app only to the users who would like simple and easy edits to their photos as well as maintaining the images resolution where as I wouldn't recommend it to those who are looking for a larger variety of editing tools. This app would be the most useful when you quickly need to correct any minor imperfections such as light and colour issues.
Features to edit and modify images are:
-Changing the light
-Changing the colour
-Adding a pop effect
-Adding a vignette effect around the edges
-Rotate and crop the photos
-Add filters
-Choose the percentage of the filter being used
Pros:
-Easy to use
-Does not require you to be a professional
-Does not require any editing experience
-Keeps the photo in the original resolution after editing.
-Fast and user friendly
Cons:
-The editing features aren't shown or advertised
-I had to find the editing features myself
-Missing some important tools such as blur and spot correction
I would recommend this app only to the users who would like simple and easy edits to their photos as well as maintaining the images resolution where as I wouldn't recommend it to those who are looking for a larger variety of editing tools. This app would be the most useful when you quickly need to correct any minor imperfections such as light and colour issues.
App #02 - Instagram
'Instagram' is a app which allows users to capture, create and share photos and videos with friends, families and even the whole world if you wish. It currently has over five hundred million downloads with a rating of 4.5 out of 5. The 'Instagram' application is available on Android, iOS and desktop browsers. This app is a beautiful and free way to edit and share your photos and videos.
Features to edit and modify images are:
-Changing the illumination, brightness, contrast, structure, warmth, saturation, highlights and shadows.
-You can sharpen and fade an image
-You can add colour and a vignette effect
-Rotate, crop and change the angle of the photos.
-Add filters
-Choose the percentage of the filter being used
Pros:
-Easy to use
-Does not require you to be a professional
-Does not require any editing experience
-Fast and user friendly
-Now allows any sized or oriented photos
Cons:
-Doesn't save edited image in the full or same resolution as the original picture
-When using blur tool you cannot use it on specific areas.
-It doesn't have as sophisticated options as a paid computer software.
I would recommend this app because it allows you to share your best photography and moments with people all over the world. This app would be the most useful when you are out on a journey and want to take live pictures and uploads. It also would be most useful when you need to amend a photo with ease and very quickly.
Features to edit and modify images are:
-Changing the illumination, brightness, contrast, structure, warmth, saturation, highlights and shadows.
-You can sharpen and fade an image
-You can add colour and a vignette effect
-Rotate, crop and change the angle of the photos.
-Add filters
-Choose the percentage of the filter being used
Pros:
-Easy to use
-Does not require you to be a professional
-Does not require any editing experience
-Fast and user friendly
-Now allows any sized or oriented photos
Cons:
-Doesn't save edited image in the full or same resolution as the original picture
-When using blur tool you cannot use it on specific areas.
-It doesn't have as sophisticated options as a paid computer software.
I would recommend this app because it allows you to share your best photography and moments with people all over the world. This app would be the most useful when you are out on a journey and want to take live pictures and uploads. It also would be most useful when you need to amend a photo with ease and very quickly.
App #03 - ColourSplash
ColourSplash is a app which allows users to recolour their photos. It allows you to modify images by changing parts and areas of the photo to a grey colour by default or you can choose a custom colour. currently has over a million downloads with a rating of 3.8 out of 5. The 'ColourSplash' application is available on Android and iOS. This app is
Features to edit and modify images are:
-Zooming in and out
-Apply filters and effect
-Crop photos
-Saves in high resolution
Pros:
-Easy to use
-You can use it on any photo file format
-It isn't time consuming
Cons:
-You can't always change the colour to the exact edge of an object
-You can't automatically select the part you want to change
-It doesn't always work very well on reflective objects
I would recommend this app because you can use it in situations where your photos are really busy and the main focus isn't clear. For this reason I believe that this app would be the most useful in those situations. You can darken any areas of the photo that aren't the main focus so it looks like it is part of the background giving the viewer a clear view of what they're supposed to be looking at.
Features to edit and modify images are:
-Zooming in and out
-Apply filters and effect
-Crop photos
-Saves in high resolution
Pros:
-Easy to use
-You can use it on any photo file format
-It isn't time consuming
Cons:
-You can't always change the colour to the exact edge of an object
-You can't automatically select the part you want to change
-It doesn't always work very well on reflective objects
I would recommend this app because you can use it in situations where your photos are really busy and the main focus isn't clear. For this reason I believe that this app would be the most useful in those situations. You can darken any areas of the photo that aren't the main focus so it looks like it is part of the background giving the viewer a clear view of what they're supposed to be looking at.
Mobile Photographers
Afton Almaraz
http://www.aftonalmaraz.com/
BiographyAfton Almaraz was born in Los Angeles, California and has lived in Asia, the United States and now New York City. He has worked on many projects, he currently works as a Senior Picture Editor for 'Getty Images', he has graduated from the Visual Journalism school at Brooks Institute of Photography, worked as a photo editor at The TIME’s, worked as a personal photographer for Arnold Schwarzenegger, worked as a photo editor for AOL and received multiple national awards.
His publications appear in TIME, Newsweek, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Stern and The Rolling Stones, and many others. My OpinionI enjoy looking through Afton Almaraz' photography work, I really the way that the majority of the photos are either taken from very high up or very low angles I particularly like the photo of the women in boots about to walk down the steps as you can see that people travelling around the world visit cultural locations to this. It is interesting how he shows a person but doesn't put a culture, race or face to the person, this shows people from everywhere (tourists) appreciate all the different people around the world and their cultures.
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Examples of Afton Almaraz' Work
Robert-Paul Jansen
http://www.byjansen.com/
BiographyRobert-Paul Jansen is a father and husband who devotes his time to his passion of photography to show and document architecture and design around the world. He first started in 2010 using iPhone, it was during this time good quality mobile cameras came in to play in the world around us. He uses differnet camera but still enjoys shooting with mobiles the most.
My OpinionRobert-Paul Jansen is a brilliant photographer who I think is one of the best mobile photographers I have seen. I believe the photos he produce are one of a kind and unique. His photos look unlike any other photos I've seen before, I think they're simple, neat and uniform. They also all follow a clean pattern and nothing in the photo is ever out of place.
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Examples of Robert-Paul Jansen's Work
Shoot #001 - Architecture
My Best and Worst Photographs from Shoot #001
BestThis is my best photo because it gives a small insight to the world of Mobile Photography. The subject is clear and in focus. The background is out of focus which gives a clear understanding of the part of the photo that is to be looked at. The rule of thirds are used here. The mobile phone is in the bottom right allowing the viewer to see what is being captured.
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WorstThis my worst photo of the shoot because it is blurry, out of focus and slightly underexposed which I didn't want for ths shoot because it gives a gloomy impression. This is partly because of the weather conditions and also because of the camera settings.
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Shoot #002 - Christmas in Manchester
My Best and Worst Photographs from Shoot #002
BestThis is the best photo because it includes a section of the side of the stall which it is out of focus directing the viewer to the subjects of the photo which are the people looking out at the Christmas market stalls. The aperture is just right. The rule of thirds are also used in a vertical direction. The first section being the stall itself and the third section are the people.
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WorstI believe this the worst photo as it tilts off to one side which makes it all appear unlevel. The rule of thirds weren't used precisely. The aperture is slightly above what it should be. Finally the photo was out of focus. The concept or idea of the photo was good but adjustments must be made to make it worth while.
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Shoot #003 - A Splash of Blue
My Best and Worst Photographs from Shoot #003
BestThis is the best photo because it shows a clear view of the vibrant colours following the focus of the shoot; capturing items with the colour blue. This is done by setting the focus so it is focusing on the lights and then turning the ISO down. This means it is under exposed around the rest of the photo which in my opinion makes a great effect
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WorstI think this is the worst photo because doesn't show clearly the obejct in the photo that the viewer should be looking at. Moving closer towards the blue shirts and then moving towards the right would give a clearer view. Also the focus of the photo is off. The remaining settings were fine as they were.
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Shoot #004 - Manchester Cathedral
My Best and Worst Photographs from Shoot #004
BestThis is the best photo because it shows a clear view of the vibrant colours following the focus of the shoot; capturing items with the colour blue. This is done by setting the focus so it is focusing on the lights and then turning the ISO down. This means it is under exposed around the rest of the photo which in my opinion makes a great effect
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WorstThe concept and idea of the photo is good however I class this photo as the worst from this shoot because it is out of focus, it was taken at a awkward angle. Adding to this the light coming in through the windows was over exposed and distracts the viewer from the subject of the photo (the cross.) Also the light flooding didn't compliment the patterns and design of the majestic windows.
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Shoot #005 - Manchester Life
My Best and Worst Photographs from Shoot #005
BestI chose this as my best photo of the shoot because it shows one statue of a man overlooking another statue of a man. The rule of thirds are used here and are mainly noticeable vertically. The nearest statue uses the first 2 sections and the furthest statue takes up the final section. The exposure seems to become lighter as the photo goes from left to right, this gives it a vignette effect.
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WorstThis photo was chosen by myself as the worst due to it being out of focus which gave it a blurry effect which distorts the photo. Also the aperture could've been turned down slightly by selecting a different area of focus, I say this because the photo overall has the correct lighting but the light bulb itself in the photo is too bright or over exposed.
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Evaluation
I think that this unit was a success with my best final photo below. I liked the unit overall as you always have your mobile phone with you which allows you to take photos when ever you wish to. It also shows that you don't always need a professional camera to come out with an amazing photo. Below is my favourite photo of the unit because it gives you an insight into the world of mobile photography.