Take your social media game to a whole new level with these free apps that make your photos look like a masterpiece.
Visual images are the most important form of content on social media which has made editing photos to perfection a necessity. Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest are the most popular platforms for brands and a majority of the content on these platforms is in the form of images. A profile with attractive images will easily stand out from the rest and grab the attention of the user or potential customer. Using a professional camera makes the process a lot better, however, it is not absolutely necessary. High-end smartphones of today have cameras that are able to capture stunning images.
Editing the photos you've taken from your camera or smartphone helps in enhancing your image and making it pop. Professional softwares like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom are considered to be the best photo editing softwares out there. However, they are paid and are not necessary if you need to edit photos just for social media. There are plenty of apps that are free to download and can get the job done quite professionally. Here is a list of the top 5 free photo editing apps -
1. Snapseed Snapseed offers professional-level photo editing with an easy to use interface and is available on both the iOS and Android. It is the most recommended app (a close tie with Adobe Lightroom CC) to achieve that professional look with your images. Apart from basic editing features, it has additional tools that allow you to adjust the tonal curve and add a depth of field/background blur. It does contain preset filters that may work for you but it is best to skip them. The best feature of Snapseed, however, is the Selective Tool that allows you to adjust the brightness, saturation, and contrast of a selected part of the image only. This allows you to highlight and pop a particular section of your image.
2. VSCO VSCO is a hugely popular app among Instagram users and by looking up #vsco on Instagram, you can find millions of photos under it. VSCO has plenty of filters that allow you to stand out from the crowd and avoid opting for the basic Instagram filters. Some of the filters are a paid feature. However, their free filters are perfectly fine and may exactly be what you need. You can also lookup VSCO on Pinterest for plenty of inspiration. They also specify the steps that they have taken to edit them, so you can achieve that particular look. The VSCO app is available on both iOS and Android.
3. Adobe Lightroom CC Adobe Lightroom CC is an adaptation of the desktop version and has plenty of tools that allow you to truly transform your image. Most professional photographers would recommend using this app. It also has a feature of an in-built camera that allows you to adjust the shutter speed, aperture and ISO on your smartphone. So, if you ever feel like you need more control over your Smartphone Camera, use the camera that comes within the app. This feature works great in low-light conditions. Available on both iOS and Android, this is an app that you need if you are looking to get serious about your smartphone photography. 4. Adobe Photoshop Express An adaptation of the Adobe Photoshop software although it does not have all the features of Photoshop. It has the best photo editing features of Photoshop and does a pretty good job with it. What sets this app apart is its smart filters. These filters automatically correct common issues, such as color temperature and exposure problems. The app is free to download on both iOS and Android. 5. Pixlr Pixlr is also available on both iOS and Android and lets you build your own Instagram-like filter with effects, overlays, and textures. With basic photo editing tools, Pixlr also lets you selectively brighten or darken parts of your image. With so many good options, it can get quite confusing as to which one to finally opt for. You can always download and experiment with the apps to see which one works the best for you. Also, it is important to know that editing cannot fix a bad photo. But editing can make a good photo, a great one. At The Side Hustler, we realize the importance of social media for your blog/brand/business, which is why we are offering you an opportunity to avail of our Social Media Services that includes Social Media Audits, Content Creation and Community Management.
Write to info@thesidehustler.org for more details.
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