{"id":4845,"date":"2020-02-17T21:39:16","date_gmt":"2020-02-17T10:39:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/?p=4845"},"modified":"2022-01-23T18:13:09","modified_gmt":"2022-01-23T07:13:09","slug":"6-of-the-best-free-photo-editing-apps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/6-of-the-best-free-photo-editing-apps\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Of The Best Free Photo Editing Apps"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>There was a time when only professional photographers with the highest-quality equipment could capture and edit high-quality professional images. Often, this had to be done using clunky desktop software. But now, with the ever-changing development of new technology, more and more of us can access affordable smartphone cameras and free photo editing apps, taking their photography to new heights.<\/p>\n<p>Now you can achieve fantastic photography using smartphone cameras and free photo editing apps. You can edit on-the-go while travelling, at an event or simply sitting at home in front of the television. We\u2019ve compiled a list of the best free photo editing apps around. That means you can snap, edit and share; all at the click of a few buttons.<\/p>\n<p>Often with editing, less is more. It will take time to master your editing techniques to perfection, but these easy-to-use apps make it easier than ever to learn over time. Read on to find out more.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/le-buzz-HpedTM5nbMo-unsplash-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4849 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/le-buzz-HpedTM5nbMo-unsplash-1-300x222.jpg\" alt=\"free photo editing app\" width=\"430\" height=\"318\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/le-buzz-HpedTM5nbMo-unsplash-1-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/le-buzz-HpedTM5nbMo-unsplash-1-768x567.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/le-buzz-HpedTM5nbMo-unsplash-1-1024x756.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/le-buzz-HpedTM5nbMo-unsplash-1-150x111.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/le-buzz-HpedTM5nbMo-unsplash-1.jpg 1200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 430px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 430\/318;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>1. Lightroom<\/h3>\n<p>Long-hailed as one of the most advanced photo editing programs out there, the <a href=\"https:\/\/helpx.adobe.com\/nz\/mobile-apps\/help\/lightroom-mobile-faq.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lightroom<\/a> mobile app is easily one of the (if not the) best free photo editing apps available. Not only is it intuitive and allows you to perform complicated edits quickly and easily, but it\u2019s also a photo manager. It enables you to store, move and manage your files or upload to the cloud, all in the one place. Lightroom features RAW photo support, the ability to upload and save presets (previously-saved edits), as well as exposure adjustments and more.<\/p>\n<p>The preset tools can be very handy if you\u2019re mass-editing photographs from the same shoot. Once you\u2019re happy with the way you have edited one image, you can save those edits as a preset and simply apply the exact same editing functions to photos from the same series, making any additional adjustments as needed along the way.<\/p>\n<p>A quick Google search can also help you find presets created by others. It has become quite common for Instagram influencers or photographers to save their presets and sell them to others, so their photographs can have the same look. For a beginner wanting to share the same look as other high-quality, this can be handy when just starting out.<\/p>\n<p>While Lightroom is free to download, to sync photos across devices and access advanced features, you\u2019ll need to pay an additional fee of $10\/month, but for most users, the free version is more than worthwhile.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Snapseed<\/h3>\n<p>Google\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/snapseed.online\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Snapseed<\/a> has been around for a long time and has improved a great deal over the years. As well as all the usual features like cropping, rotating, straightening and adding vignettes and other effects, Snapseed has a huge range of presets. You can make adjustments to these presets as needed, or create your own from scratch, unlike many other free photo editing apps.<\/p>\n<p>Snapseed is one free photo editing app which allows you to use precision masking, which enables you to change the depth of field, a technique often used by photographers to bring the foreground into greater focus. The \u201cselective adjust\u201d tool also comes in handy, allowing you to select a certain portion of your image \u2013 say, an area that is darker than the rest of the image \u2013 and make adjustments only to that area.<\/p>\n<p>Snapseed saves your edits every step of the way, which means you can not only see the process (similar to Photoshop\u2019s various layers) but you can go back one step or more to previous editing steps.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>3. VSCO Cam<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/vsco.co\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">VSCO<\/a> started with an editing app but morphed into an online photo-sharing community like Instagram. This free photo editing app has all the standard editing tools, but the best part about it is the filters. VSCO has a range of subtle filters, which can gently enhance your photos, giving them a vintage appeal, a romantic glow or a film-noir edginess.<\/p>\n<p>Once you have edited your image you can share it with the VSCO community, or browse images in the community to see how others have used filters in a multitude of creative ways.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/le-buzz-Z44o7s8YkB0-unsplash.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4848 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/le-buzz-Z44o7s8YkB0-unsplash-300x208.jpg\" alt=\"vsco cam free photo editing app\" width=\"436\" height=\"302\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/le-buzz-Z44o7s8YkB0-unsplash-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/le-buzz-Z44o7s8YkB0-unsplash-768x531.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/le-buzz-Z44o7s8YkB0-unsplash-1024x708.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/le-buzz-Z44o7s8YkB0-unsplash-150x104.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/le-buzz-Z44o7s8YkB0-unsplash.jpg 1200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 436px) 100vw, 436px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 436px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 436\/302;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>4. Afterlight 2<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for an easy to use, free photo editing app with the ability to edit, add filters and textures and be creative, <a href=\"https:\/\/afterlight.co\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Afterlight 2<\/a> is your answer. This app really is an all-in-one.<\/p>\n<p>As well as all the normal editing features you\u2019d expect, Afterlight 2 gives you the ability to get creative. It offers options to add text, frames and filters. It also allows you to add textures, including things like light leaks, grainy effects or dusty film overlays, to get truly unique effects.<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Best free photo editing apps for portraits<\/h2>\n<p>When you\u2019re editing portraits, you often need slightly different features. As well as making adjustments to the image itself, you might want to use a free photo editing app built specifically to make adjustments to the face and body.<\/p>\n<p>These apps can be combined with Snapseed or Lightroom to achieve the best result. What you choose will depend on which look you\u2019re trying to achieve and the level of editing required. With editing, less is more and that is particularly relevant when it comes to editing portraits. You want to make adjustments slowly, one at a time, ensuring that your portraits still look natural.<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/christopher-campbell-rDEOVtE7vOs-unsplash.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4850 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/christopher-campbell-rDEOVtE7vOs-unsplash-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"portait editing\" width=\"462\" height=\"308\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/christopher-campbell-rDEOVtE7vOs-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/christopher-campbell-rDEOVtE7vOs-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/christopher-campbell-rDEOVtE7vOs-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/christopher-campbell-rDEOVtE7vOs-unsplash-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/christopher-campbell-rDEOVtE7vOs-unsplash.jpg 1200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 462px) 100vw, 462px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 462px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 462\/308;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>5. Visage<\/h3>\n<p>Another great free photo editing app, <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/nz\/app\/visage-face-tune-photo-editor\/id489833171\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Visage<\/a> allows you to quickly and easily retouch portraits or selfies.<\/p>\n<p>Visage enables you to smooth your skin, whiten your teeth or remove bags under the eyes or acne when desired.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the free version of the app exports your image with a branded logo in the corner, however, you can upgrade to a paid version for $4.99 per month or $9.99 per year to access ad-free, logo-free edits.<\/p>\n<h3>6. Beauty Cam<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for a free photo editing app with advanced portrait editing and a multitude of features, <a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.meitu.meiyancamera\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Beauty Cam<\/a> is the one for you. Beauty Cam allows you to perform adjustments to portraits including red-eye corrections, whitening teeth, removing blemishes and even slimming down the body.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/christopher-campbell-Ojz1eHfXR00-unsplash.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4851 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/christopher-campbell-Ojz1eHfXR00-unsplash-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"portrait editing app\" width=\"452\" height=\"301\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/christopher-campbell-Ojz1eHfXR00-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/christopher-campbell-Ojz1eHfXR00-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/christopher-campbell-Ojz1eHfXR00-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/christopher-campbell-Ojz1eHfXR00-unsplash-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/sites\/2\/christopher-campbell-Ojz1eHfXR00-unsplash.jpg 1200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 452px) 100vw, 452px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 452px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 452\/301;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Again, these apps should be used with caution, otherwise, your subjects may end up looking too fake!<\/p>\n<p>There we have it; the best free photo editing apps. You may need to experiment with various apps to find which apps work best for you. Once you get the hang of them, you\u2019ll benefit from being able to edit and upload on-the-go, achieving stunning, high-quality images quickly and easily.<\/p>\n<p>Once you have a collection of images, you can browse our collection of photo products to display your images. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Check out our collection<\/a>, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/canvas-photo-prints\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">canvas prints<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/aluminium-prints\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">metal prints<\/a> and even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/photo-pillows\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">photo books<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Often with editing, less is more. It will take time to master your editing techniques to perfection, but these easy-to-use free photo editing apps make it easier than ever to learn over time. Read on to find out more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":4846,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[101,80],"tags":[150,185,126],"class_list":["post-4845","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-photography","category-photography-tips","tag-photo-editing","tag-photo-editing-apps","tag-photography-tips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4845","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4845"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4845\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5326,"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4845\/revisions\/5326"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4846"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4845"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4845"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4845"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}