With the rise of the smart phone, photography has become available to virtually everyone. As phones continue to evolve, so do the applications you can run on your phone. For a cityscape photographer, these apps can be very useful, as many cityscape photographers use their phones to catch spontaneous photos of their city with just a tap on their screens. Here are 6 apps any cityscape photographer needs.
ENLIGHT | iOS DEVICES
The creators of this app tote that it is “everything you’ve ever needed, wanted or dreamed of” in a photo app combined into one. The app is the No. 1 photo and video app in more than 120 countries. The app offers the following: selective control over tone, color and details; savable presets; blending; reproducing the style of classic cameras and vintage film; revitalization of colors; black and white photography; light leaks and custom vignetting; overlay of two photos to produce double exposure; intelligent photo correction and so much more.
“The best image editing app for phones I’ve tried” said a customer with the username Prower002. “This is essentially photoshop for your phone.”
Enlight was created by Lightricks Ltd., the company that also created Facetune, another popular editing app. The app costs $3.99 and is compatible with the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. More information…
EYE’EM | ANDROID, iOS AND WINDOWS DEVICES
EyeEm is a photo-editing app with a twist. While customers can use the powerful camera with exposure correction (helping to properly expose the night sky for traditional cityscape photos), they can also upload their photos from inside the app to a “market” where they could make some money if it is bought by a brand or media publishers. The good news is the app is free and allows photographers to connect with nearly 20 million other photographers from around the world who can give tips, tricks and advice to all things photography. More information…
THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S EPHEMERIS (TPE) | ANDRIOD AND iOS DEVICES AND DESKTOP
This app is essential for planning outdoor photoshoots, making it a great resources for traditional cityscape photographers hoping to get their perfect shot of their city’s skyline. The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE) is a map-centric sun, moon and Milky Way calculator that shows a photographer how the light will fall on the land, day or night, in any location they choose on Earth. The application has been used by AdoramaTV as well as National Geographic.
User jlg84 said “if you’re serious about your photography, then this app is a must have” Another user, TomBarnwell, said “TPE is an indispensable tool for landscape photographers. I’ve used it from the Tetons to Patagonia and its predictions are spot on.”
TPE is free to download on your desktop, and costs about $8.99 for the mobile app. More information…
MAPSOCIAL | iOS DEVICES
MapSocial is the perfect app for cityscape photographers looking to photograph during the day, or photograph cityscape photos. This app pinpoints areas of high activities using geotagged pictures on a map. This can bring a photographer to the city’s special events, festivals, live music concerts, food trucks and more – all elements of city life. You can capture your city’s unique events and attractions this way. This mobile app can connect you with urban explorers, fellow photographers and locals so you can be sure you are getting the best shot possible.
MapSocial is unfortunatley only currently available for iOS Devices, but it is free. More information…
CITYMAPPER | ANDROID AND iOS DEVICES
CityMapper is a great app to help you plan your travel around some of the largest cities in the United States, Asia, Australia, Europe and Latin America. Put in the city you will be photographing and the app helps you plan your trip and give you estimated arrival times for virtually all modes of transportation, including subway, bike, car, taxi, bus, rail and Uber. The app can give you real-time departure information as well as transit maps and disruption alerts.
Missxtara, an iOS user, said “being a new New Yorker, this app has saved me almost every day. You can favorite the trains you take the most to get notifications on delays and service changes. It’s truly a life saver and I can’t live without it now.” This app is free. More information…
LENS PLANNER | iOS DEVICES
Costing about $2.99, this app can help DSLR camera users determine the best lens to use. The app overlays a field of view representation over a map, allowing a photographer to better plan their shots. This photography app is mostly useful if you want to visit places you’ve never been before and you don’t want to bring all your gear. More information…
OTHER RECOMMENDED APPS?
This is just a selection of some useful apps and we know there are many more out there. Please comment on this article and let us know which photography apps you use and why they are so good.
