Apps & Add-ons for Smartphone Photography
Camera apps, lenses, and tripods
By Mark Hirsch
Photographer Mark Hirsch has worked with many cameras, but his favorite is the one is his iPhone 6. He is known for the coffee table book, “That Tree,” containing photos produced only with a smartphone.
Expanding on the sage advice he offered in How to Get the Perfect Shot with Your Smartphone, Mark has even more tips on how to get the most out of his favorite camera — the one inside your smartphone.
Photography assistance apps
Make your smartphone smarter with these camera apps.
Magic Hour
Free app. Tracks the sun to alert you to when the light is best for outdoor photography
Available on the App Store for iPhones
Sun Seeker
Paid app. Useful tool for locating sun proximity for compositions
Available on the App Store for iPhones
Editing apps
Snapseed
Free app. iPhone or Android editing app – Mark’s favorite editing app
Available on the App Store for iPhones and on Google Play for Android phones
Digital Film Tools
Paid app. iPhone editing app, great for dodging and burning
Available on the App Store for iPhones
iPhone camera apps
Camera+
Paid app. One of Mark’s favorite apps for better exposure and focus control
Available on the App Store for iPhones
Slow Shutter Cam
Paid app. Timed exposure camera app
Available on the App Store for iPhones
Pro HDR X
Paid app. One of the better High Dynamic Range camera apps
Available on the App Store for iPhones
NightCap Camera
Paid app. Capture clearer photos at night or in dark places
Available on the App Store for iPhones
Android camera apps
Camera ZOOM FX
Paid and free versions. For HDR Mode Pro, fastest camera, scene modes, night
Available on Google Play for Android phones
Open Camera
Free app. Can auto-stabilize your pictures to the perfect level, expose your camera’s functionality via focus modes, scene modes, color effects, white balance, ISO, exposure compensation/lock, face detection, etc.
Available on Google Play for Android phones
Camera FV-5
Paid and free versions. Offers DNG Raw, intervalometer, exposure compensation, ISO, focus, white balance, shutter speed, long exposure support, scene modes
Available on Google Play for Android phones
Smartphone Hardware
Beef up your smartphone’s capabilities.
Add-on smartphone lens options
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Olloclip
A quick-connect lens solution for the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and now the Samsung Galaxy S.
Smartphone tripods and mounts
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Zhiyun Smooth Q
An inexpensive gimbal stabilizer to stabilize smart phone videos and stills
About the Author
Mark Hirsch is a Wisconsin-based editorial and corporate photographer, artist, author of the book “That Tree," and a public speaker. Contact Mark.-
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