App-propos of Something

There are probably as many camera apps on the respective mobile markets as there are real cameras on the consumer market. Some use your phone's stock camera where you can add a filter effect after the fact, while others use a built-in camera where effects can be chosen before or after getting your shot. Some of the best apps out there not only give you the option of choosing a camera type, but an exposure as well. Which gives you some remarkable flexibility on the fly, whether you know exactly what you're doing or not. Experimentation, coupled with the convenience mobility brings, can sometimes give you your best results.



Being a Samsung Vibrant Galaxy S owner myself, I've tried over a dozen Android apps in my quest to become a better photographer. My personal favorites are Magic Hour (potentially hundreds of options since you have full editing controls over the filter and you can submit and download filters from a free in-app market), Retro Camera (only six stock cameras effects, but they return high res, high quality images using filters that are hard to duplicate) and my newly installed Pudding Camera (which has 12 free cameras and 8 free film types that most other apps normally charge extra for.) Haven't had a chance to use that last one much yet, and eager to get out of the house so I can get some photo ops I haven't already shot a hundred times. (Don't ask me why I keep taking pictures of my stove. I just do. o_O)

What are your favorite camera apps and why? Have you settled on one or a few? Share with us your mobile app experience and why you feel your favorite has the best options.