Beginner Photography – ExpertPhotography

13 Best Camera Apps for iPhone in 2024 (For All Your Photographic Needs)

Nick Constant — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 14:35:29 +0000

There are many camera apps for iPhone that can help you improve your photography skills. And the best camera apps for iPhone can take your photography to new levels. Different apps have different functions, so you will likely need more than one to satisfy your photography needs.

But what is the best camera app for iPhone? This will all come down to your specific working style. So read on to find the next app to take your photography to the next level!

What are the Best Camera Apps for iPhone?

Photography is useful for many different avenues, from artistic expression to promoting our businesses or spreading news. Because of this, we can work with our iPhones to produce and spread our photography in many ways.

The best camera apps for iPhone can range from an app to help us take pictures to apps that can share our photos. As its uses dramatically vary, we have split this article into several sections. Each section will give you a variety of the best camera apps for iPhone.

Click on the links below to go to the section most relevant for you:

Camera Apps for iPhone
Edit Your Photos
Share Your Photos
Plan Outdoor Photography Trips

Best Camera Apps for iPhone

First of all, we will look at different camera apps for iPhones. These are iPhone applications that you use to take photos.

These apps can help you simulate a fully manual camera. This allows you to change the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, among many other options. Other apps will allow you to shoot with filters, helping you simulate different film aesthetics.

Let’s now look at the best camera apps for iPhone and see each one’s strengths and weaknesses.

1. iPhone Camera App

Price	Price Free
Manual Camera Settings	Manual Camera Settings No (Allows modifying)
Editing Features	Editing Features Yes
Best For	Best For Simple photography with options to edit exposure and more

The Apple Camera App that comes preinstalled is powerful if you know how to use it properly. It may not give you the same accurate levels of control as other apps on this list. But, for accessibility, ease of use, and some great features, it is at the top of the best camera apps.

One of the best features that makes this app unique is the Live photo function. This takes short videos while you are taking photos. If you miss the perfect shot, you can select a different frame from a short time before or after the picture was taken.

I am also a big fan of the easy exposure control that appears when you click on the photo. Swipe the sun up or down to get more or less exposure. You can also control the focus by clicking anywhere on the screen.

The app allows you to shoot long exposures thanks to the Live photo setting. You can do this in the editing process after you take the image. So make sure you learn every function of the iPhone Camera app to get the most out of it.

2. ProCamera

Price	Price Paid
Manual Camera Settings	Manual Camera Settings Yes
Editing Features	Editing Features Yes
Best For	Best For Photographers who want to turn their phone into a professional camera

The leading professional camera app is ProCamera. They claim to be the #1 professional camera app for iPhones. Multiple Apple App Store accolades reinforce this claim, including an Editors Choice. It also sits comfortably in the top 15 photo and video apps in the entire app store.

ProCamera is a all-in-one camera app for photographers who want to take phone photography seriously. It features a choice between Auto, Semi-Auto, and Manual shooting modes. This gives you as much freedom or control as you want for your photography.

The full Manual mode is impressive. It gives you an incredible amount of control that is only limited by the iPhone’s hardware. Besides this limitation, you would think your phone is a fully manual camera. You can choose from all the manual settings, different shutter modes, white balance, live histograms, quality, and more.

ProCamera also allows you to control video similarly. So this app can keep up if you plan to use both photo and video in a professional way. There are also brilliant editing features and extra metadata controls.

3. Camera+

Price	Price Paid
Manual Camera Settings	Manual Camera Settings Yes
Editing Features	Editing Features Yes
Best For	Best For Professional controls and AI features

Camera+ is another well-known camera app for iPhone. It allows you to shoot in Auto, Manual, or RAW modes, giving you much control over your photos. This means you can choose the right shooting mode for you and your environment.

A great feature that Camera+ uses is Magic ML. Magic ML uses machine learning to edit your photos as you shoot. This is a great way to help you take the best photos possible without spending time editing on location.

Unlike ProCamera, Camera+ operates as a subscription-based service. So you must decide if you prefer a one-off payment or a monthly/ yearly payment scheme. Like ProCamera, Camera+ also has Apple Watch abilities, allowing you to control your camera remotely.

4. Slow Shutter Cam

Price	Price Paid
Manual Camera Settings	Manual Camera Settings Yes
Editing Features	Editing Features No
Best For	Best For Long exposures and light trails

Slow Shutter Cam is a specialized app for iPhone photography. It is one of the best camera apps for iPhone as it creates its own unique process for long exposures. These processes make dreamy long exposures with a wide range of controls and an easy interface.

Long exposures are a photographic technique that we usually associate with professional cameras. You must manage the light let in while keeping a good exposure. Slow Shutter Cam balances this well by taking multiple images and stitching them together rather than a single long exposure.

Long exposures open up a new way of photographing the world around you. They also will make your images stand out on social media. It is a one-time paid app, so there is not subscription service you will be tied to. This is a great iPhone app to shake up your photographic journey.

Best Camera Apps To Edit Your Photos

Let’s now look at the best camera apps for iPhones to edit your photos. These apps are important as they can be the final stop before our images hit our social media pages.

Some cameras have Bluetooth functions, so you can use these apps to edit on the go without having to be on a computer. A process like this could be helpful for a wide range of photographers.

The iPhone editing features are good but they could be more in-depth. Let’s take a look at its top competitors in the app store.

5. Adobe Lightroom

Price	Price Free (Paid Extra Features)
Edits RAW Files	Edits RAW Files Yes
AI Features	AI Features Yes
Best For	Best For All-around editing on iPhone

Adobe Lightroom is one of the best camera apps for iPhone on this list. Adobe has considered all aspects of smartphone usability and has redesigned its adjustments to be controlled easily.

Many of its features are free, but you must pay extra for the specialized features. The free version alone allows you to perform a wide range of basic and more advanced edits. So, it is worth downloading if you want a free app.

Of course, Adobe produces the best camera apps for iPhone. With a hold of the digital editing software scene, it is unsurprising to see this app come up at the top.

6. Snapseed

Price	Price Free
Edits RAW Files	Edits RAW Files Yes
AI Features	AI Features Yes
Best For	Best For Free option for photo editing

Snapseed is a digital editing software made by Google that is also available on the Apple app store. It is a free app that provides a great range of tools and adjustments for digital photo editing.

Like Lightroom, Snapseed uses creatives way to edit with control on a smartphone. I am particularly fond of how you can control Curves and Brush with your finger. On top of normal adjustments, they also provide filters and other options to change the atmosphere of your photo.

Snapseed is a great option to explore if you want a free app. There are some complaints that the app can be slow at times. This is only relevant if you will edit RAW files. So, this will be fine if you shoot normal iPhone images or JPEG on digital cameras.

7. Photoshop Express

Price	Price Free (Paid Extra Features)
Edits RAW Files	Edits RAW Files Yes
AI Features	AI Features Yes
Best For	Best For Creative photographers and complex edits

Photoshop Express is another Adobe product that brings brilliant photo editing to our iPhones. Photoshop Express is your best option for smartphone editing if you want to perform complex photo edits.

Photoshop Express now includes AI abilities. These allow you to fine-tune your photos like never before. You can take people out of busy images so that your subject stands alone. You can also generate AI images inside the app.

This app isn’t just for complex photo edits. You can also use it to enhance your photos. The process is more complex than Lightroom, but Adobe has made Photoshop much more user-friendly with this app.

8. VSCO

Price	Price Free (Paid Extra Features)
Edits RAW Files	Edits RAW Files No
AI Features	AI Features Yes
Best For	Best For Photographers who prefer to edit with filters

VSCO is the editing app for you if you prefer to use filters to enhance your photography. It allows you to make your own edits and save them as presets to apply to future photographs.

VSCO also comes with a camera option that has built-in effects. This can be useful for photographers looking to experiment with smartphone photography. VSCO also features a range of tools to get creative in the app.

Overall VSCO is an app you should consider using if you want to try something new with smartphone editing. It is one of the best camera apps for iPhone in terms of experimenting with visual output.

9. Pixlr

Price	Price Free (Paid Extra Features)
Edits RAW Files	Edits RAW Files No
AI Features	AI Features Yes
Best For	Best For Simple editing with easy to navigate interface

Pixlr is a simple photo editing app compared to the other options on this list. It is a free option that allows you to easily perform simple photo edits. It allows you to use a wide range of filters and provides collage templates.

Its simplicity may be an attractive factor for some photographers. Some photo editing apps can be too confusing, so this app helps you simplify your process. However, you can use the iPhone photo editing app if you want simple photo editing.

Best Camera Apps To Share Your Photos

You captured the photo and edited it. Now the final step is to share it. Several photography sites have huge communities of photographers. Some of these websites has apps available for sharing your photos.

10. Instagram

Price	Price Free
Editing Abilities	Editing Abilities Yes
Upload High-Quality Images	Upload High-Quality Images Yes
Best For	Best For A worldwide platform to share your photos and build your network

Instagram is the most well-known of today’s photo-sharing apps. It’s for mobile devices but also has a browser version.

Instagram gained traction with the surge in smartphone photography. But other, more desktop-based sites were a little slow to catch up. It is now the best way to find and follow your favourite photographers and photography publications.

The camera app for iPhone comes with a basic camera and some photo editing features. The real value, though, is in sharing your photos and building a network of likeminded photographers.

11. 500px

Price	Price Free
Editing Abilities	Editing Abilities No
Upload High-Quality Images	Upload High-Quality Images Yes
Best For	Best For Selling your photos online

500px is one of the best ways to share and sell professional photos online today. This app lets you connect with likeminded photographers across the world. It even shows you the camera settings for each photo. This could be a great way for beginners to see how to achieve certain styles.

This site is more geared towards immaculate landscape and portrait photography. It is desktop-based, but the camera app for iPhone works great and has a good level of functionality to it.

Is this the site for uploading photos taken with a smartphone? Well, if you do so, you’ll need to make sure the images you upload are as perfect as possible.

12. Flickr

Price	Price Free
Editing Abilities	Editing Abilities No
Upload High-Quality Images	Upload High-Quality Images Yes
Best For	Best For Online platform for serious photographers

Even though it was the original photography sharing website, Flickr lost its way in recent years. There have been efforts to revive it, but it’s hard to get it back to its position.

That said, it still offers the best infrastructure to engage with other photographers. The community aspect of this site is also better than what 500px and Instagram have to offer.

The type of photos that are shared and featured here are wider and better curated than what other sites offer. This feature makes Flickr a top camera app for iPhone.

Best Camera Apps To Help Plan Your Outdoor Photography Trips

13. The Photographers Ephemeris

Price	Price Paid
Editing Abilities	Editing Abilities No
Works Offline	Works Offline Yes (Partially)
Best For	Best For Assisting you with lighting conditions

The Photographer’s Ephemeris is an outstanding iPhone camera app that doesn’t fit into any of the above categories. However, it is handy for planning any type of outdoor photography.

Thanks to its features, you can plan how the light will hit your location anytime, anywhere on Earth. It also has augmented reality which helps with .

The camera app for iPhone also shows the position and the route of the Sun, the Moon, and the Milky Way. And you can also use its offline maps without having an internet connection. It’s an iPhone app that is well worth its price.

Conclusion

There are loads of awesome camera apps for iPhone photography. And the list is still growing. It’s not easy to pick a few out of the many.

There are plenty of options to take, edit, or share photos. With these camera apps for iPhone, you’ll have a fantastic-looking social media profile in no time!

How to Recover Deleted Photos From an SD Card

Christopher Bryan-Smith — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 11:42:28 +0000

You might think it’s impossible to recover deleted photo from an SD card. But that’s not the case.

We all know the feeling when we delete something we shouldn’t have. Your heart stops and your blood runs cold. There’s a moment of disbelief, then a scramble for a solution.

Thankfully, there are a couple of solutions when you wrongly delete photos from your SD card. You have to act fast, and they are not always 100% successful. But there is action you can take to remedy the disastrous situation.

Now we’ll walk you through the best ways to recover deleted photos from an SD card. Keep reading to find out how to get your deleted photos back.

Efficient and Reliable

Easeus Data Recovery

Looking for a solution to recover deleted photos from your memory card? Look no further than data recovery software. With powerful scanning algorithms, recover lost data easily and quickly.

Recover Deleted Photos: Is Image Loss Permanent?

You might think that when you delete a photo from an SD card, it’s gone for good. But often, the image files do not truly disappear util they are overwritten by new data.

The SD card might appear empty when viewed on a computer via a card reader. But the information is often still there, laying in secret. If this is the case, then it is possible to recover your lost photos.

Image loss can also happen through damaged memory cards and corrupted files. These situations are slightly more severe, but it’s still sometimes possible to retrieve the lost data.

We should say that some deleted photos are gone for good. If the data has already been overwritten or the files were deleted a long time ago, there isn’t much hope of recovering them.

But if you act fast when the tragedy happens, you can recover the lost photos without much trouble.

That’s exactly what we’ll explain in the rest of this article. We have two methods of recovering deleted photos on a memory card, including different file types like SD, QXD, and CF. We also have some extra tips for keeping your digital files safe and sound.

How to Recover Deleted Photos From Memory Cards

The likelihood of recovering deleted photos depends on how those photos were deleted and what has happened to the memory card since.

First, with any data loss, stop using the memory card immediately. You can only recover images if that data hasn’t been overwritten yet. If you keep shooting on that card, you’ll lower the odds of successfully recovering that data.

Memory cards use something called a File Allocation Table (FAT). This allows you to access those files. When formatting a memory card, that FAT is deleted. But the data for the individual photos remains until the card is overwritten with new data.

That’s why your odds of recovery are pretty good if you’ve formatted the card in the camera by mistake… as long as you haven’t taken any new images with the same card since then.

You can also lose data through a corrupt memory card, which can be trickier to work with but not impossible. Physical damage to a card can also mean lost images and tends to be among the toughest to recover data from.

That’s one of the reasons why it’s a bad idea to buy cheap, off-brand cards. I once washed and dried an SD card left in a pocket, and all the data was still intact.

There are two main options for getting back those lost photos. The best one depends exactly on how you lost those photos in the first place.

The first solution is to use data recovery software. This option is the simplest and most affordable. It’s ideal for formatted cards, accidental deletions, and some card errors.

The second is to send the card to a data recovery service. This is the priciest solution, often with three-digit price points. In some cases, like with damaged cards, it may be the only chance of recovering that data.

Option 1: Use a Data Recovery Software

Step 1: Stop Using the Memory Card Immediately

Whenever you lose data from a memory card, stop using the card right away. This increases your odds of recovering the data.

Don’t take any more photos with the card. And don’t use the card in a computer until you are ready to start the recovery process.

Step 2: Choose a Photo Recovery Software

There are dozens of different data recovery programs out there. They come at varying price points with different features. Start by checking if the brand of the memory card you are using has a program.

These are often free and tailored for your memory card. For example, Lexar has the Lexar Recovery tool.

Your memory card company might not have a software program. There are still plenty of good programs out there that can help you get back your lost data.

We’ve selected a few of the very best data recovery options below. But you can also see our full article on the best free photo recovery software by clicking on the link.

EaseUs: This program’s free version will recover 2 GB of files before you have to pay for the full version. It’s compatible with Mac as well as Windows. It works with formatted, corrupt, and partitioned memory cards.

Stellar Photo Recovery: Designed for both Mac and Windows, Stellar Photo Recovery is an easy-to-use program. It can recover some deleted files as well as corrupt files. It’s reasonable at $49.99 for a one-year subscription. You can download the program for free and scan your media first. That way, you don’t waste money if the program can’t recover anything.
Wise Data Recovery: A great option if you’re on a tight budget, Wise allows you to recover 2 GB worth of data before having to sign up to a paid plan. It can recover lost data from computers, USB devices, and memory cards. You can also recover other types of files, including documents, videos, and even audio files.
IObit Undelete: This recovery software is completely free. It isn’t as powerful as the paid programs, which means a lower success rate. But it’s still capable of recovering deleted photos from a memory card. It’s “deep scan” features help you retrieve data that’s been lost of a long time.

Step 3: Download the Program and Select the Drive to Scan

Once you’ve selected a data recovery program, download and install the program to your computer. Every program will have steps that are a bit different, but they all follow the same idea.

With the SD card in a card reader, choose the type of file you are looking to recover. Choose the drive to run the recovery on (the SD card), and follow the on-screen instructions to start the scan.

Your memory card might still have folders intact. Choose the folder where you stored the deleted images instead of the root or main drive.

Step 4: Save Any Recovered Files

The scan may take some time. Once it’s finished, you can choose which photos to download and save, or you can choose to rescue all. Select the files you want and choose where to save them.

Remember to save them somewhere safe and back them up. You don’t want to repeat the process.

Option 2: Use a Data Recovery Service

Software is the simplest, most affordable way to recover files. But sometimes you need more help. The software might not work, or the memory card might be physically damaged.

In these situations, sending the card to a data recovery service may be the only way to recover the lost data.

If the chip in the card is intact, the damage might still render the card unreadable by a card reader. These types of companies have the equipment to read the damaged card.

Several companies specialize in data recovery services. You mail in the damaged card and get a quote. If you choose to proceed, they’ll work their magic and send those files back to you.

Some electronics stores also offer data recovery services. Check with local stores to see if they offer the service. Some offer in-store recovery. In some cases, you might still need to ship your memory card elsewhere to complete the recovery.

How to Prevent Losing Deleted Photos

Losing data is a headache. How can you prevent ever losing images again in the future, wasting time and money on data recovery?

Some accidents are inevitable. But many of them are preventable with proper memory card care and backups.

Here’s what you can do to prevent losing data again.

Keep Your Memory Cards Safe

You can’t protect your cards against deleting photos by accident. That’s just human error. But you can avoid damage by using a strong and reliable memory card case.

Every photographer needs at least one case for keeping their memory cards safe while on the job. It also reduces the chance losing the physical memory card, which is another heartbreaking experience.

Check out our list of the best memory card cases to find one that meets your needs.

Create a System for Storing Memory Cards

Often, you might lose data through accidental deletion. Or you might even misplace an entire memory card.

Create a designated spot for empty SD cards and a separate spot for SD cards that you have already used.

That will help avoid those accidental formats. Use a memory card case or a camera bag with dedicated card slots.

Create a Backup Plan

Backing up your images as soon as possible should be a nailed-in part of your workflow. You want it to become like second nature, so you never miss this step.

You should also save your photos in two places at once to reduce the risk of losing data.

Try using cloud storage along with an external hard drive. Or you can use two different external hard drives.

If you have a camera with dual memory card slots, you can start the dual backup from the moment you take the photo. Set up the files to write to both cards or for one card to take RAW and the other JPEG.

Double-Check Before You Delete

Don’t hit the format option first. Make sure all your images have transferred over to your computer as well as your backup location.

Use a Memory Card from a Reputable Company

Don’t fall for the cheap no-name memory cards. Besides being slow, they can even increase the odds of corrupted files and memory card errors.

Stick with the major name brands. They are fast, more reliable, and much less prone to data loss. They also have a better success rate when used with data recovery software.

See our article on the best SD cards for photographers.

Consider Using Tough Memory Cards

Even from within the same brands, not all memory cards are created equal. Some memory cards like the SanDisk Extreme and Sony Tough are very tough.

They’re designed to withstand drops, dust, and moisture. These cards are ideal for waterproof cameras and shooting in harsh conditions.

Avoid Cheap Memory Card Readers

Along the same lines, make sure your card reader is from a reputable company as well.

The cheap options could even lead to corrupt cards. Cheaper card readers are also more likely to lose files when disconnecting from a computer. It’s not worth the risk, and paying a little extra now will save your time, trouble, and money in the future.

We have a dedicated article to the best card readers for photographers.

Conclusion: How to Recover Deleted Photos From a Memory Card

Data recovery software can be the simplest and most affordable option to recover deleted photos from an SD card. It can help you restore deleted photos and videos. The pricing is less than a service, and many programs are often straightforward.

The toughest data recovery cases may need data service. You’ll have to send your memory card for the experts to handle.

Prevention won’t help you recover photos that you’ve already lost. A few best practices in your photography workflow can help ensure you don’t lose any more files in the future.

Looking for more interesting info on memory cards? Check out our posts on the best options for memory card holders and how many photos different memory cards can hold next!

Efficient And Reliable

Easeus Data Recovery

Looking for a solution to recover deleted photos from your memory card? Look no further than data recovery software. With powerful scanning algorithms, recover lost data easily and quickly.

11 Best Free Photo Recovery Software in 2024

Christopher Bryan-Smith — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 07:44:58 +0000

Your heart stops, and your stomach sinks. Your blood runs cold. You can’t catch your breath. It’s a combination of panic and disbelief. If you’ve ever lost your digital files, this is a familiar feeling.

Maybe you’ve deleted photos by accident. Or perhaps some files have simply disappeared. No matter how it happens, it’s heartbreaking.

The story doesn’t need to have a sad and sorry ending, though. There are now many different brands of photo recovery software that can save the day. With the click of a few buttons, you can recover lost photos and deleted files.

Reliable and Efficient

Easeus Data Recovery

Looking for reliable photo recovery software? EaseUS Data Recovery is a top choice for freelancers and businesses alike, with advanced scanning algorithms and the ability to recover data from various devices.

What is the Best Free Photo Recovery Software?

The best free photo recovery software allows you to recover lost or deleted files without having to pay or subscribe.

We all know the feeling of losing files or deleting images by mistake. It’s brutal. But these stories don’t always have to have sad endings. In fact, you have several options for recovering your lost photos without having to pay a fortune.

All the software options on this list offer some data recovery for free. Some are more advanced than others, and some only allow you to recover a certain amount of data before you have to pay. But still, you have plenty of free options.

However, free photo recovery software is often limited. There are sometimes limits on how much data you can recover for free. Others can only recover certain file types and have much slower recovery times.

That’s why we recommend these free options for occasional, small-scale recovery operations. If photo recovery is a large part of your workflow, we recommend you sign up to one of the paid programs for better service and more options.

Here’s a quick rundown of all the best free photo recovery software options.

Our Top Choice

Easeus Data Recovery

Recovers data from computer hard drives and removable devices
Compatible with Windows and MacOS devices
Can recover nearly 100 different file formats
2 GB of free data recovery

Stellar Data Recovery

Compatible with Mac and Windows computers
Recovers files, photos, videos and other file types
1 GB of free data recovery
30-day guarantee on paid plans

Wise Data Recovery

Software supports computers, external hard drives, and digital cameras
2 GB of free data recovery
Portable version works without installation

MiniTool Power Data Recovery

Available for Windows and Mac
New easy-to-navigate interface
Recovers data from USB storage devices

IObit Undelete

Recovers photos, videos, and documents
Excellent search and "deep scan" tools
Doesn't waste time trying to recover rewritten files

Disk Drill

Supports over 100 types of file formats
RAW files recovery for photographers
Recovers data from hard drives, USB devices, and SD cards

PC Inspector File Recovery

Supports the latest versions of Windows
Covers 25 file formats including photo, video, and audio
Available in seven languages

iBoysoft Data Recovery

Supports Windows and Mac
Recognises 1000 file formats
Recovers up to 1 BG of data in one session

Puran File Recovery Software

Can recover data from computers, smartphones, CDs and DVDs
Can retrieve over 50 file formats
Maintenance Wizard also available

7-Data Recovery

Can restore up to 1 GB of data in one session
Fixes SD card issues, partition errors, and corrupted files
Four recovery modes

Undelete 360

Recovers data from computers, memory cards, and smartphones
Quick to install and easy to use
Search filters help users find the files they need

Best Free Photo Recovery Software

Now we look at each software suite in more detail.

1. EaseUS Data Recovery

Brand	Brand EaseUS
Free Recovery Limit	Free Recovery Limit 2 GB
Paid Upgrade Available	Paid Upgrade Available Yes

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a photo recovery software that can help you restore up to 1000 file formats. It retrieves deleted, formatted, or lost photos from Windows and Mac devices.

That includes computer hard drives and removable devices. This user-friendly tool comes with a data recovery wizard. This feature helps you get your files back quickly in only a few steps.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can help you recover up to 2 GB of data for free. The software offers its Pro version if you need to restore more data.

This recovery software enables you to filter the scanned files by file type. Also, you can preview them before restoring the lost data.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can help you restore deleted photos with their original data. Lost data includes their file names, file paths, and creation dates. This works on SD cards and USB flash drives.

This free photo recovery software is also available for Android and iOS devices through your PC or Mac.

Download: Windows | MacOS | Android | Windows/Mac for iOS

2. Stella Data Recovery

Brand	Brand Stellar
Free Recovery Limit	Free Recovery Limit 1 GB
Paid Upgrade Available	Paid Upgrade Available Yes

Stellar is one of the best photo recovery software for Windows and Mac users. It helps you retrieve deleted files from solid-state drives, USBs, and hard drives. It is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7, as well as with M1, M2, and T2 chip-enabled Macs.

This tool can help you retrieve deleted photos, emails, audio, videos, and more. It can recover up to 1GB of deleted files. And it can help you to recover files from an encrypted drive or crashed system.

Stellar comes with a user-friendly interface. The program also comes with interactive options that make the recovery process smoother.

You can select various views to display the scanned files. And you can add file headers to the list of supported file types or search for specific folders.

You can test it out to see how it works for free. But you do need to pay to actually recover files.

Stellar Photo Recovery‘s paid version offers support and a 30-day guarantee. So you can give the full version a try and see if you need the extra options.

Read our full review of Stellar Photo Recovery.

3. Wise Data Recovery

Brand	Brand Wise Cleaner
Free Recovery Limit	Free Recovery Limit 2 GB
Paid Upgrade Available	Paid Upgrade Available Yes

Wise Data Recovery is another sound, free photo recovery software for Windows and macOS platforms. It helps you restore your files from accidental and permanent deletion.

This recovery software allows you to filter the type of file lost before scanning. You can recover deleted photos, videos, documents, emails, and other file formats.

This tool supports data recovery from hard-drive disks and external hard disks. It also works with memory cards, digital cameras, USB drives, or other storage devices.

Wise data recovery comes with a portable version that helps you recover files without installation!

Download: Windows | MacOS

4. MiniTool Power Data Recovery

Brand	Brand MiniTool
Free Recovery Limit	Free Recovery Limit 1 GB
Paid Upgrade Available	Paid Upgrade Available Yes

MiniTool is photo recovery software available for both Windows and Mac. They’ve recently updated the app with a brand-new interface. It’s now super easy to navigate.

If you’ve lost photos, this image recovery software can recover files lost due to various causes. If you’ve accidentally deleted photos, or if they’ve been lost to a virus attack, MiniTool can get them back.

It can recover deleted photos from external storage devices like USB sticks and hard drives. And it will recover most multimedia files.

MiniTool has a free version, but this is essentially a trial. To get the best photo recovery from MiniTool, you have to upgrade to the paid version.

5. IObit Undelete

Brand	Brand IObit
Free Recovery Limit	Free Recovery Limit No Limit
Paid Upgrade Available	Paid Upgrade Available No

IObit Undelete is one of the best photo recovery software for Windows users. It helps you recover deleted photos, videos, documents, and music with only a few clicks.

This data recovery software allows you to search for deleted files with name, extension, and size. Then, it scans the device and recovers them with ease.

IObit Undelete performs a “deep scan” to recover deleted files. The scan helps retrieve files even if they have been lost for years.

Also, IObit Undelete evaluates the status of the files before recovery. This tool lets you find out whether you can restore the file or if it’s been overwritten.

We recommend this data recovery program if you want an easy-to-use interface.

Download: Windows

6. Disk Drill

Brand	Brand CleverFiles
Free Recovery Limit	Free Recovery Limit 500 MB
Paid Upgrade Available	Paid Upgrade Available Yes

Disk Drill Photo Recovery by CleverFiles is an excellent photo recovery software for those who value not just their photos but also their time and money.
Designed with both Windows and Mac users in mind, Disk Drill can recover around 100 photo, image, and graphic file formats (plus hundreds of video, audio, document, archive, and other file formats).
It shines when it comes to RAW photo recovery, offering flawless support for formats like CR2, CR3, CRW, DNG, ERF, GPR, KDC, NEF, PEF, RAF, and much more.
The software’s versatility extends to various storage devices commonly used in photography, such as SD, microSD, and CF cards, and Disk Drill is also proficient in recovering images directly from digital cameras and other devices from renowned brands like Canon, Nikon, and GoPro.

A formatted or corrupted file system (be it FAT, FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, EXT2/3/4, or HFS+ and APFS) doesn’t stop Disk Drill from retrieving lost photos. Best of all, the recovery process is always a matter of a few simple clicks, regardless of how complex the data loss problem is.
Included with Disk Drill is a sizable collection of extra data management and data protection tools that can help you keep your photos organized and safeguarded against future incidents.
All of these powerful features come with a one-time purchase of the Pro license. This model benefits users who prefer a straightforward, cost-effective solution without worrying about recurring subscription fees.
Download: Windows | MacOS

7. PC Inspector File Recovery

Brand	Brand Convar
Free Recovery Limit	Free Recovery Limit No Limit
Paid Upgrade Available	Paid Upgrade Available No

PC Inspector File Recovery is a freeware recovery program. It helps you to retrieve deleted files or partitions from Windows devices. It supports over 25 file formats, including HTML, JPEG, MP3, and ZIP.

This free photo recovery software comes in seven languages. It also offers a step-by-step guide to recover photos and files in seconds.

PC Inspector File Recovery will help you save your hard disk from a system crash. Plus, it is helpful in case of a virus or hardware failure.

This software can recover your files with their original date and time data. And this program is entirely free. All features are available without a license.

Download: Windows

8. iBoysoft Data Recovery

Brand	Brand iBoysoft
Free Recovery Limit	Free Recovery Limit No Limit
Paid Upgrade Available	Paid Upgrade Available No

iBoysoft Data Recovery Free is a recovery software for Windows and macOS. It enables you to retrieve lost data from a hard drive disk, SD card, memory card, USB drive, or PC.

This data recovery tool can restore over 1000 file formats and types. Some are photos, office files, videos, audio, emails, and more.

The software helps restore lost data due to a virus attack, system crash, or lost partition. It also works if you don’t know why the data got lost or deleted.

This photo recovery software allows you to restore up to 1GB of data in three steps:

Select a recovery mode.
Choose the drive to start scanning.
Review and recover your deleted files by clicking the Recover button.

The software’s free version enables you to select a location with ease. It allows you to preview the deleted files before restoring them. Plus, it comes with deep and quick scan options for different situations and needs.

Download: Windows | MacOS

9. Puran Data Recovery Software

Brand	Brand Puran Software
Free Recovery Limit	Free Recovery Limit No Limit
Paid Upgrade Available	Paid Upgrade Available No

Puran File Recovery is an excellent recovery software for windows. It can help you quickly recover lost photos, files, and partitions.

The program supports hard disks, memory cards, formatted disks, and mobile phones. It also works with CDs, DVDs, and any other storage media.

This recovery software comes with a user-friendly interface. It features a robust recovery engine that can retrieve over 50 file formats at high speed.

Puran File Recovery offers three recovery methods:

Quick Scan works by listing deleted files in only a few seconds.
Deep Scan can examine a device precisely. It can identify a higher number of deleted and lost files.
Full Scan can detect deleted or lost partitions. It is also effective for restoring lost files from formatted devices.

Puran File Recovery helps restore lost files with their path structure intact. This feature will make your life easier as you can organize them just as they were before deletion.

Puran File Recovery also comes with a Maintenance Wizard option. This can help you optimize your computer’s performance. It also offers a Batch Fix feature that keeps your system clean and error-free.

This software is available for Windows users and provides support in many languages.

Download: Windows

10. 7-Data Recovery

Brand	Brand 7-Data Software
Free Recovery Limit	Free Recovery Limit No Limit
Paid Upgrade Available	Paid Upgrade Available No

7-Data Recovery is a photo recovery tool that helps you retrieve lost data. It is an excellent photo recovery software for Windows users.

The program allows you to restore data up to 1GB. You can retrieve photos, audio, video, emails, and document file formats.

The software is not only able to recover files. It also fixes SD card issues, partition errors, or corrupted files.

It comes with four recovery modes for restoring different types of data. The selected mode depends on how you lost the data:

Deleted Recovery mode retrieves files deleted from the recycle bin. It also works with files permanently deleted from storage.
Complete Recovery mode helps restore files from a formatted or corrupted volume.
Lost Partition Recovery mode works with deleted partitions in various circumstances. Two examples are crashed hard drives or disk repartitioning.
The Digital Media Recovery mode fetches media files like images, music, or videos.

7-Data Recovery supports hard drives, SD cards, cameras, USB drives, and other memory cards. It can restore files from local drives and mobile storage devices.

Download: Windows

11. Undelete 360

Brand	Brand XXX
Free Recovery Limit	Free Recovery Limit No Limit
Paid Upgrade Available	Paid Upgrade Available No

Undelete 360 is free and available for Windows users. It is a data recovery tool that enables you to recover your lost files quickly.

It retrieves deleted photos from memory cards, smartphones, and USB drives. It also works with floppy drives and computer hard drives.

This photo recovery software works with an efficient algorithm. It helps you browse, search, and restore files with ease.

Undelete 360 can help you restore photos deleted due to a virus attack, an accident, software failure, or an unexpected system shutdown.

This recovery software allows you to preview the lost files before restoring them. It shows the scanned results in both file type and a folder view.

Also, the program comes with a filter feature. It allows the users to scan specific files instead of the whole device, saving them time.

Download: Windows

Why You Need Photo Recovery Software

If you’re working in the creative industries these days, you’re handling a lot of digital files. Photographers, videographers, and graphic designers. Let’s face it, we’re all at risk of data loss.

Digital technology is unpredictable and hardware can crash at any moment. You can click the wrong button or pull the wrong cable. Or your cat might walk across your keyboard.

No matter how it happens, losing your photos is tragic. You’ve lost time and treasured memories. You could even lose your job.

Accidents happen. That’s a fact of life. But we no longer need to live in fear. There is photo recovery software available that can recover lost data. This software can retrieve deleted photos and lost files.

Conclusion

Photo-recovery software will always be a lifesaver in many situations. It can help you to restore important data that you thought you lost.

If you’re like me, I’m sure you own a device with hundreds of photos from many years ago. If that’s the case, you must have good recovery software to restore your images in case of an accident.

We hope our list helps you find the best free photo recovery software that meets your needs!

What Do the Numbers and Letters on Lenses Mean? (10 Details)

Christopher Bryan-Smith — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 08:10:26 +0000

What do the numbers and letters on lenses mean? You may have wondered when thinking about buying a new lens or looking at one you already own.

Manufacturers stamp lenses with details about the glass, aperture range, focal length, and other specifics. It’s all important information, so it’s a good idea to take the time to learn what all these number and letters stand for.

This article covers what the numbers and letters on your camera lens mean. It may seem not very easy. You can learn to decode the manufacturers’ shorthand with a few hints. So let us look at the most common letters and numbers on camera lenses.

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What Do the Numbers and Letters on Lenses Mean?

Let’s go over the main numbers and letters on lenses to give you better understanding of your gear. We cover everything from f-stop numbers to magnification ratio. If you want more information, you can see our guide to cameras lenses in this link.

1. F-Numbers Represent Aperture

F stands for f-stop or f-number and relates to the “speed” of your lens. We use the f-stop scale to denote the lens’s aperture. The size of the aperture is denoted by an “f” followed by a / then a number. It looks like this, f/4.5.

Rather confusingly, a smaller f-stop number signifies a wider aperture and a larger number signifies a narrower aperture. For example, f/22 is narrow and f/2 is wide.

You will always see the maximum aperture, that is the widest aperture, marked on the lens. This will tell you if the lens is “fast” or “slow”, as fast lenses have wider max apertures.

You’ll be able to find the maximum aperture, but your lens may or may not have the “F” on it. You may see a number, a slash, and another number, like this # / #.

The first number is the f-stop. Some manufacturers express the f-stop as a ratio (1: ##). A lens reading 1.8 / 55 or 1:1.8 means the lens’s maximum aperture is f/1.8.

Faster lenses with wider apertures let in more light and give you better depth of field control, but they tend to be more expensive.

Telephoto lenses often have a range of numbers on either side of the slash (## – ## / ## – ## or 1: ## – ##). This is because some zoom lenses have a variable max aperture.

A variable max aperture is when the maximum aperture is different depending on the focal length you’re using. For example, a 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 lens has a maximum aperture of f/4.5 at 70mm. But when you zoom in to 300mm, the aperture is limited to f/6.3.

If a zoom lens only displays one f-stop number, like f/2.8, the maximum aperture is constant throughout the zoom range. You don’t lose any aperture stops when you zoom in.

Lenses include numbers that tell you the aperture and focal length of the lens.

2. Lens Mount System Demarcations

The letter “F” does not always refer to the aperture when marked on a lens. You will often see the letter F on Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, and Sony lenses, but this is to tell you which mount system the lens belongs to.

For instance, “FE” for Sony identifies the mount system it’s compatible with. In this case, FE tells us the lens is compatible with Sony’s full frame mirrorless cameras.

All lens manufacturers note the mount system on the lens. This is usually with one to three-letter labels. As we’ve seen, Sony uses FE for it’s full frame lenses.

Here’s a list of each camera brand and their lens mount demarcations:

Canon

DSLR cameras: EF, EF-S, EF-M
Mirrorless cameras: RF, RF-S

Nikon

DSLR Cameras: AF, AF-S
Mirrorless cameras: Z, DX Z

Sony

Full frame: FE
APS-C: E

Fujifilm

APS-C Mirrorless: XF

Olympus/OM System

Micro Four Thirds: ED or Micro 4/3

Panasonic Lumix

Full Frame: L
Micro Four Thirds: G or Micro 4/3

Understanding what these letters mean is particularly useful when working with third-party lenses.

Sigma makes lenses compatible with Canon, Nikon, and other camera brands. By finding the lens mount label, you will know which cameras the lens is compatible with. The same goes for Tamron and Tonika.

For example, if you have a Sigma 24-70mm f/4 lens with EF on it, you know that it’s compatible with Canon DSLR cameras. If you see Z, you know it’s compatible with Nikon mirrorless cameras.

3. Focal Length Measured in Millimeters (mm)

The focal length of your lens is shown in millimeters (mm) on the lens. Your camera lens may or may not have “mm” on it. You see a number, a slash, and another number (# / #). The first number is the max aperture, but the second tells you the focal length of the lens.

A lens stamped 1.8 / 50 has a f/1.8 max aperture and a 50mm focal length.

The focal length tells you the lens’s field of view. The smaller the number, the wider the field of view.

A lens with a 20mm focal length gives you a wide angle. A 50mm lens is considered standard angle, which is similar to the human eye. A 100mm focal length gives you a tighter, more magnified view.

Prime lenses have a fixed focal length, meaning there’s no zoom function. A 50mm prime lens with have 50 or 50mm noted on the lens.

Zoom lenses have a variable focal length with the limits of the range in the title of the lens. The focal range will also be marked on the lens. It would look like 70-200, which tells us the lens has a minimum focal length of 70 and a max of 200. The zoom function allows you to move between the two limits.

4. Numbers With Ø Are the Lens Diameter

The symbol that looks like a circle with a line through it (Ø) tells us the diameter of the lens. This is the measurement, in millimeters, around the outside circle of your lens.

So Ø72 means your lens is 72 millimeters in diameter.

This is important if you need a new lens cap. You also need to know the diameter if you want to use lens filters. Screw-on filters come in different sizes, so you need to match the filter size to the lens diameter.

The diameter of the lens follows the Ø symbol.

5. Focusing Distance in Meters and Feet

Your lens may have a number in meters and feet (#m / #ft). This is the minimum focusing distance for the lens. This number matters mainly for photographers who like to get close to their subjects.

A camera lens that shows 0.9m / 2.96ft has a minimum focus distance of 0.9 meters or 2.96 feet. That means you can focus on anything close than that distance.

The numbers are equal but expressed in two different measurement systems as different countries use either metric or imperial measurements.

On a zoom lens, the focusing distance may be a range of numbers. A reading of 0.5m / 1.64ft – 0.8m / 2.63ft means that as the lens zooms, the minimum focusing distance increases.

At the widest focal length, the focusing distance is 0.5 meters. But when zoomed in, the focusing distance is 0.8 meters.

A lens may be stamped with the minimum focusing distance in meters and feet.

6. What Does Macro and the Magnification Ratio Mean?

Macro lenses can take photos of small things or photograph very fine details. A 1:1 magnification ratio means the reproduction on the sensor is the same size or larger than the real life object.

If the ratio is 2:1, then the reproduction on the sensor is twice the size of the original. If the ratio is 1:2, the sensor image is half the size of the real thing. You may have the option to change the ratio on your lens.

7. Autofocus System Acronyms

You will also find an abbreviation that tells us what type of motor the lens has for driving the autofocus. Some brands have the same type of motor of all their lenses, but other use different ones on different lenses.

Canon lenses have either STM or USM AF systems.

STM stands for Stepping Motor, and this AF system uses rotating gears to move the elements and focus ring. This is a more basic system found on Canon’s more affordable lenses.

USM stands for Ultra-Sonic Motor. Using ultrasonic vibrations to move the elements and focus ring, the USM system is quicker and quieter than the STM driver. Canon use the USM system on their higher end lens models.

Nikon doesn’t mark the AF motor on their lenses. However, their F-mount lenses do have “-S” after AF (AF-S) to tell users the lens has an autofocus motor. Their older lenses just say AF, and you had to focus them manually.

Fujifilm lenses that use a linear motor have LM on them. This is the only AF motor abbreviation they use.

Sigma lenses that use Hyper-sonic Motors have HSM on the lens. This tells you the lens has Sigma’s superior AF motor.

Sony doesn’t display the AF motor type on its lenses, nor does Olympus.

8. Image Stabilization

Lenses with built-in image stabilization have it noted in the lens’s name and somewhere on the physical lens. All lens brands do this, but they don’t all use the same acronym.

Here’s a list of the manufacturers and the acronyms they use to denote image stabilization.

Canon: IS – Image stabilization
Nikon: VR – Vibration Reduction
Sony: OSS – Optical SteadyShot
Fujifilm: OIS – Optical Image Stabilization
Olympus: IS – Image Stabilization
Sigma: OS – Optical Stabilization

Despite having different names for image stabilization, all these acronyms signify the same thing.

You’ll find a switch on the side of the lens to activate the IS. It most cases it will say “IS On / Off”. If it has more than one mode it will say ” IS Off / 1 / 2″.

You tend to find image stabilization on telephoto or high-end lenses, so if you can’t see one of these on your lens, it doesn’t have built-in stabilization.

9. Premium Lens Classifications

Some lens brands have letters on their lenses to signify that they are from a premium line of lenses.

For both EF and RF lenses, Canon has it’s L series. The L means it’s one of Canon’s top-quality lenses. For example, you have the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens.

Nikon uses S for it’s premium-quality Z-mount lenses.

Sony has G for premium lenses, but also has GM lenses that are at very top in terms of quality.

Fujifilm does not have a premium line, but it does have WR in the title to denote lenses that are weather-resistant.

10. Camera Lens Buttons and Dials

Every lens has a focus ring for manual focusing. Zoom lenses also have the zoom ring for zooming in and out. Newer lenses often have a third control ring, a custom ring you can assign other settings to.

Most lenses have an “A / M” or “AF / MF” switch, allowing you to select auto or manual focusing.

We’ve already seen that some lenses have a switch for the image stabilization. But others might have a custom function button. This is labelled L-Fn, and you can assign different settings to it.

Some telephoto and macro lenses have a focus limiter switch. The label will say something like “Full / ∞ – 3m”, though the noted distance will vary depending on the lens.

Conclusion: Numbers and Letters on Lenses

Each lens manufacturer has a unique way of labeling lens features. But you can expect to see the maximum aperture (f-stop) and focal length labeled on the lens. You may also see other lens features, including the lens mount.

When buying a new lens, look carefully at the numbers and letters on lenses. Each holds valuable information. One letter (or lack of a letter) may change the lens’s value by hundreds of dollars!

These details also tell you what the lens is capable of and what types of photography it’s good for. That’s why it’s so important to understand what the numbers and letters on a lens mean.

Sports Photography Settings (9 Tips & Best Camera Settings)

Christopher Bryan-Smith — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 07:54:41 +0000

By mastering your sports photography settings, you’ll be able to capture any sporting event with confidence. Whether you’re covering a school sports day or the FA Cup final, knowing the best settings for sports photography helps you capture pro-level results.

While being one of the most popular, sports is also one of the most challenging photography subjects. Get the settings wrong, and your images can end up blurry. There’s always a lot of movement, so you need to know what you’re doing with your camera to capture sharp shots.

This article looks at the best camera settings for sports photography. We examine everything from shutter speed to white balance. Once we’re done, you’ll be the master of your camera settings and great for any sporting event.

Best Sports Photography Settings

With fast-moving subjects, difficult lighting conditions, and restrictive viewing positions, sports photography isn’t easy.

However, you can overcome these problems by mastering your camera settings. You need to understand shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. But you also need to know about more advanced settings like white balance and AF modes.

We look at all the important settings right here, so let’s get started.

Use a Fast Shutter Speed

Shutter speed is one of the three main exposure settings on your camera. Along with aperture and ISO, they make up the exposure triangle. Every photographer needs to know about these settings and how they relate to each other.

Shutter speed is perhaps the most important of the three settings when it comes to sports photography.

The camera shutter speed determines the length of time the shutter is open. With a slow shutter speed, the shutter is open for longer and more light enters the camera. A fast shutter speed only opens the shutter for a short period, so less light enters.

You might be tempted to use slower shutter speeds to let in more light, but shutter speed also affects motion blur. This is where moving elements within your image appear blurry.

The longer the shutter is open, the higher the risk of motion blur. Using a faster shutter speed reduces the risk because the sensor is exposed to light for less time. It freezes the action, giving you sharper shots with moving subjects.

The shutter speed scale varies from camera to camera. But you don’t want to use anything below 1/250 for sports photography. Even this might be too slow for very fast action.

1/500 might be enough for most amateur events, but it’s best to go as high as possible. The faster it is, the sharper your shots will be.

You can use a slow shutter speed if you want to use motion blur as a creative effect. But generally, use a fast setting for sharper sports photographs.

You’ll have no problem using a fast shutter speed when shooting outside on a bright, sunny day. But you might encounter problems when shooting floodlit games, indoor events, or matches in bad weather. Thankfully, we solutions to help you shoot in any of these situations.

Control Depth of Field with Aperture

The aperture is the adjustable hole in the lens that allows light to pass through to the camera’s sensor. The bigger the aperture, the more light passes through. Use a small aperture, and the camera receives less light.

It’s important to understand aperture from an exposure point of view. But aperture also controls your depth of field, which determines how much of your scene is in focus.

If you have a shallow depth of field, only your subject will be in focus. The foreground and background will be out of focus. With a deep depth of field, everything in your scene will be in focus.

If you want a narrow depth of field for a blurred background, use a wider aperture. Use a narrow aperture for a deep depth of field with everything in focus.

You can use a narrow or deep depth of field when shooting sports photography. You can make a creative choice depending on the subject and situation.

If you’re shooting a close-up of an individual athlete, you can use a wide aperture to create a blurred background. This will make them standout in a busy environment. An aperture of f/4.5 or wider will give you a nice background blur.

Shooting a wider shot of the event? It’s best to use a smaller aperture to keep more of the scene looking sharp. Lighting conditions might limit your aperture choices, but aim for f/8 or f/11 for wider shots.

Increase Your ISO

ISO tells us how sensitive the camera sensor is to light. The higher the number, the more sensitive it is. A low ISO setting means the sensor is less sensitive and needs more light to fully exposure the image.

Using a higher ISO is great if you’re shooting in low light. However, the higher your ISO, the more likely you are to experience digital noise in your images.

Digital noise is the grainy texture in your images when the camera struggles for light. It can also look like pixelation in extreme cases. This is why photographers want to keep their ISO as low as possible.

This isn’t easy with sports photography. If you’re shooting an outdoor event in sunny weather, you can keep your ISO at 100 or 200 for maximum image quality. But life isn’t always so simple.

When covering indoor events, floodlit matches in the evening, or experiencing bad weather, you will have to increase your ISO.

800 ISO should be OK on overcast days. That will also be OK for indoor events with bright artificial lighting. But you might have to stretch to 12,000 or 16,000 if the lighting is poor. You can stretch higher if your camera has good low-light performance and controls noise.

Select the Correct Autofocus Mode

A fast and responsive autofocus system is a godsend for sports photographers. But even if your camera is well-equipped in the AF department, you still need to select the correct AF mode to get the best results.

One of the most important AF mode for sports photographers is Servo AF (Canon) or AF-C (Nikon and Sony). This is where you select a focus point on the touchscreen or half-press the shutter button to find focus. The camera then keeps that focus point in focus.

You can select individual players, or you can select specific areas of the scene. For example, in soccer, you can select the areas around the goal before a corner kick is taken, anticipating the action as the ball is crossed into the box.

Most modern mirrorless cameras now have AF Tracking. This is where the AF system actually tracks moving subjects, which is ideal for the fast-paced action of sports photography.

Switch to AF Tracking mode, then select your AF point in the LCD or half-press the shutter button to lock onto your subject. Then the camera follows your subject as they move, keeping the in focus the whole time.

Mirrorless cameras also now have head, face, and/or eye-detection focusing. With head-detection AF mode, the camera can find and lock onto human heads. This is great for focusing on athletes in a busy environment.

Face and eye-detection modes work in a similar way, only they are more refined. These are the best options if you’re shooting more tightly composed shots of individual sports players.

When selecting the AF mode, you need to think about the type of shots you’re taking. Servo AI is ideal for predicting the action, allowing you to focus on specific areas. AF tracking is perfect for covering one athlete. Then the head and face detection modes allow you to capture detailed shots of individuals.

Back Button Focusing

Back button focusing is where you use a button on the back of the camera to focus. Usually, you have to half-press the shutter button to make the camera focus. This works well in most cases but can cause problems when shooting sports.

When shutter button supports AF, the camera will refocus every time you take a picture. If you’ve moved or elements within your scene have moved, this can be a problem. The camera might try to focus on something other than your intended subject, and you might miss your shot.

By detaching focusing from the shutter, you can focus your shot and then take a picture without refocusing each time you press it. You can compose, focus, and then take the picture.

Back button focusing works best in Servo AF mode. It allows you to find the focus point you want without the risk of the camera refocusing on another player or object. Even if there’s a lot of movement, with players coming in and out of shot, you can still keep the focus point you want.

Use Burst Mode

Burst mode allows you to capture several images in quick succession. You don’t need lightning-fast fingers, as the camera will keep snapping exposures as long as you hold down the shutter button. It’s the perfect shooting mode for those blink-and-you-miss-it sporting moments.

The maximum continuous shoot speed varies from camera to camera. Older DSLRs tend to have slower burst speeds than mirrorless cameras. DSLR cameras also have less autofocus support when shooting in burst.

Most mirrorless cameras have good AF support in burst mode. You can shoot with Servo AF or AF tracking, helping to keep moving subjects in focus while you’re bursting.

Newer mirrorless cameras also have the choice of the mechanical or electronic shutter. Some cameras can reach astronomical burst speed with the electronic shutter, but that’s not always best for sports photography.

When you use the mechanical shutter, the shutter in front of the sensor opens and closes. For the electronic shutter, the shutter stays open while the sensor turns on and off. With no moving parts, the electronic shutter can achieve much quicker burst speeds.

However, despite the faster shooting speeds, the electronic shutter is more prone to distortion when shooting movement. Fast-moving objects can appear bent or warped, ruining the quality of your images.

You get no such distortion from the mechanical shutter. That’s why it’s often better to sacrifice a few more frames per second for sharper images with no distortion.

Shoot in JPEG

Most of the photography advice you see online tells you to shoot in RAW format. RAW files do collect more information, giving you more power in post-production. But shooting in RAW isn’t the best option for sports photography.

JPEG files are compressed, contain less information, and offer fewer editing options. On the plus side, however, they are much smaller than RAW files. That’s good news for sports photographers.

Because RAW images hold so much info, they take up more space on your memory card. This is especially true if you’re using a high-resolution camera. That means your memory cards will fill up fast.

If you’re shooting RAW images at 15 fps in burst mode, you might use up all your memory in a matter of minutes. Of course, we recommend carrying plenty of SD cards at all times. But there’s a risk you could miss a vital moment when changing your SD cards.

Shooting in JPEG format allows you to capture more images before having to change the memory card. You can keep your focus on the game, so you won’t miss any important moments.

It’s worth sacrificing the extra info of a RAW file when capturing sports. Sports images usually don’t need much editing. You can add a preset or make a few adjustments. But generally, what’s going on in the image is more important than the image itself.

You can also open JPEG images on any device. You don’t need specialist software, so you can transfer images from your camera to your smartphone using Wi-Fi. That means you can upload your sports shots to social media during the game, giving fans live updates.

Adjust White Balance for Indoor/Outdoor Events

The white balance controls the color temperature of your images. It controls whether your images look “cold” or “warm” and allows you to get natural-looking images under any lighting conditions.

We measure color temperature in Kelvins. Cold light has a high Kelvin level, and warm light has a low Kelvin level.

This relates to sports photography because different types of light sources generate different-temperature light. Sunlight and artificial lights have different temperatures. Even sunlight at different times of day can differ in temperature.

That means you have to adjust your white balance depending on where and when your shooting. Are you shooting outdoors in the middle of the day? Is it an indoor event with bright artificial lights? Or is the sporting event taking place during the golden hour?

These different situations call for different white balance settings. All cameras are set to auto white balance as default, and this works well in most situations. But setting the white balance manually will give you pro-looking images in any situation.

Different cameras and brands have different white balance modes. Some have scenario-based settings, like “daylight,” “overcast,” or “artificial.” Others let you select a specific color temperature or Kelvin level.

The key is to select the correct white balance for your environment. This will give your images natural-looking colors whether you’re outdoors or indoors.

Minimize Camera Shake with Image Stabilization

Image stabilization (IS) features can be a great help to sports photographers. IS allows you to use slower shutter speeds when shooting in low light and reduces camera shake when using a telephoto lens.

Not all cameras and lenses have image stabilization. These features are more common in high-end gear, but we are seeing them more and more in gear towards the entry-level end.

As we’ve already discussed, sports photographers need to use a fast shutter speed. And if you’re shooting at a high shutter speed, about 1/500 or faster, you won’t need image stabilization.

However, conditions can sometimes force you to lower your shutter speed. If you’re shooting in low light and your telephoto lens has a slow max aperture, this might force your shutter speed down. This is where image stabilization can be useful.

Whether on your camera or your lens, the image stabilization counteracts camera shake to give you sharper images. You can use a 1/250 shutter speed and still capture sharp images.

Some cameras have only one image stabilization mode, which tries to combat movement in all directions. But other cameras have more IS modes.

For example, one mode allows for horizontal camera movement but corrects vertical movement. This is perfect for side-to-side panning shots. The other option allows vertical movement but corrects horizontal movement. You might use this mode for Olympic diving.

Bonus: Best Sports Photography Gear

Learning the best sports photography settings is absolutely vital when shooting fast action. But sports photography is a tough discipline, and knowing your settings will only take you so far if you don’t have the right gear.

This might be heartbreaking for those on a tight budget. But you don’t have to buy all the top equipment all at once. You can take a step-by-step approach, building up your gear gradually.

If you are interesting in upgrading your equipment for to improve your sports photography, we can help you on your way. Check out the following article for more information.

Cameras for Sport Photography

If you’ve read this article carefully, you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to look for in a camera for sports photography.

Of course, image quality is always important. But a fast and reliable autofocus system has to be a top priority. You need Servo AF/AF-C or AF Tracking modes. Head and face-recognition is also helpful.

Look for a camera with a fast burst mode. And don’t be fools by a rapid-first burst with the electronic shutter. A quick burst rate with the mechanical shutter is what a sports photographer really needs.

Built-in image stabilization is another handy feature. It’s not essential, but useful if you have it.

See our full article on the camera for sports photography to find out more.

Lenses for Sports Photography

Sports photographers like to use telephoto lenses. The magnification allows them to capture close-up images of athletes from the sidelines. They don’t have to endanger themselves or the players by venturing on to the pitch or court.

Zoom lenses are also common because they give you more flexibility. Things can change quickly in sport, and a photographer needs to be able to adapt to what’s happening. A wide zoom range allows them to recompose their shots without having to move.

You also need a lens with a fast maximum aperture. This allows more light into the camera, allowing you to use faster shutter speeds.

Some sports lenses also have optical stabilization system. Again, this is handy for indoor sporting events.

Our article on the best lenses for sports photography is a must read for sports fans. You can also see our brand-specific articles below:

Monopods for Sports Photographers

Additional support can be really useful in sports photography, helping you keep your shutter speed high and your ISO low. But tripods are too static and cumbersome for sports photography. That’s why sports photographers prefer monopods.

A monopod gives you extra stability, but also allows you to move around quickly and unencumbered. You can move from location to location with easy, but you still have the added support when you take the shot.

See all the best monopods for sports photography in this full-length article.

Conclusion

From shutter speed to white balance, learning the key sports photography settings helps you capture any action-packed event with confidence and panache.

Sports photography isn’t an easy discpline, but we’ve given you a lot of information to absorb. The key is to take it step by step. Focus on one setting at a time, then move on when you’re confident.

Practice is essential, so look for opportunities to snap sports shots before any major event. Take this theory and turn it into practical competence by doing the reps. Whether it’s the Super Bowl or a Sunday League fixture, you’ll be ready to capture the action.

How to Improve Camera Quality on Android and iPhone

Nick Constant — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 14:45:02 +0000

Have you ever wondered how to make your camera better quality? Well, you have come to the right place! Today, we discuss various steps you can take to improve the camera quality of your smartphone.

Smartphone cameras can take amazing photographs nowadays. But there are a few points to consider to get the most out of your phone camera. Different environments need different techniques. And you must choose the best option. Luckily, we give you plenty of suggestions to try out.

How to Make Your Camera Better Quality (For Smartphones)

Now let’s look at 11 tips to achieve the highest picture quality with your phone’s camera. Some of these points are simple but often forgotten. By the end of this list, you will have a good idea of how to make your camera better quality.

Here is a list of our top tips. Click on each one to find out more:

Clean your lens
Use Manual Controls
Edit on Your Phone
Don’t Use Zoom
Find Good Light
Buy a Lens
Find Specialized Apps
Use the Rear Camera
HDR Settings
Use a Tripod
Don’t Use Screenshots

1. Clean Your Camera Lens

A clean camera lens can greatly improve image quality. All it takes is a simple wipe! It may sound simple, but it is easy to forget to clean your camera lens.

You can also find lens protectors to stick over your camera lens to ensure it doesn’t get scratched. But I wouldn’t recommend this. Cheap glass can worsen your image quality!

If you want to ensure you don’t damage your lens, use a microfiber cloth. Wiping a dirty lens with your clothes or other materials is the easiest option. But be careful. Rough materials can damage your lens. There is even the potential to scratch your lens!

Taking time to clean your lens is worth it. It is the quickest way to make your camera better quality. It’s best if you use a lens or glasses cleaning solution, lens cleaning wipes, or a kit.

(Adobe Stock)

2. Use Manual Controls

The better you know how to use your camera, the better your photographs will be. Manual camera controls let you override the phone’s default auto mode.

This ensures you get the most out of your smartphone’s camera. You can read our article about manual mode on Android phones.

The most important custom control to be aware of is the exposure slider. You can find this on your smartphone by tapping the screen in your camera app. You should see a slider come up that looks like a sun. Hold your finger on this icon and move it for more or less light.

Another custom control to be aware of is tapping the screen to lock focus. It is important to ensure your subject is your camera’s main point of focus. Sharpness is the key to make your camera better quality.

But tapping on your subject also changes the exposure. So you may need to adjust this manually.

3. Edit Photos on Your Phone

All major smartphones have photo editing options you can apply to photos in your camera roll. Open the image you want to edit and click the Edit button on the phone’s screen.

You should see a range of edits you can make to your image. The most important edits for quality are for sharpness and definition.

The Sharpness slider emphasizes the texture of the photograph. But be careful with this. It can easily ruin your photograph. Move this slider the smallest amount possible.

Move it to a point where the results aren’t too noticeable in the full image. Use the Definition slider in the same way.

You can find third-party camera apps to perform editing functions. They may have filters or settings to improve photo quality automatically. But it’s best to do the image editing yourself. This is the best way to make your camera quality better after you have taken the photo.

4. Avoid Digital Zoom

Using the zoom function on your phone is a good way to ensure nothing is distracting from your subject. But it’s also an issue that can cause horrible image quality.

The digital zoom function doesn’t function like a regular camera lens zoom. It crops the image and then scales it back up. This means you use a fraction of the camera sensor’s power. So you lose image resolution and image quality.

Instead of using the digital zoom, try to get closer to your subject. This is a great way to make your camera better quality as you aren’t cropping the image. You can also consider buying a telephoto lens for your phone.

Technology has progressed quickly in smartphone cameras. There are smartphone cameras out there with amazing digital, optical, and hybrid zoom. Even though they might be great, they still crop the quality. So for the best quality possible, don’t use your digital zoom.

5. Photograph in Good Light

The best camera quality comes from adequate light coming through the lens. Slower shutter speeds can give all the major lines in your photograph soft edges. And a wide aperture gives you a narrow depth of field, so you may not be able to get your whole image in focus.

So, you can make your camera better quality by adding more light. The more light in your environment, the faster the shutter speed and the smaller the aperture can be.

Get in the habit of photographing in good light. That way, you optimize the conditions in which your smartphone camera works best.

But natural light sometimes isn’t enough… especially when shooting indoors or after sunset. Your smartphone’s camera flash can combat this if you photograph your subject close-up. But this isn’t the most powerful flash.

Using a strong lamp or light is better. This is for two reasons. First, you can see exactly how the light falls on your subject’s face. Second, you can control the direction of where the light is coming from. Often a flash right by the lens can produce unflattering images.

Look around your environment to see where the brightest spots are. I suggest placing your subject there and playing with your phone camera settings.

6. Buy a Lens

You can buy an attachable lens if you want to zoom but keep your camera quality as high as possible. There are lenses like the 58mm Moment Tele Lens. Or there are phone camera lens kits by Selvim or Sevenka. They clip onto your camera phone.

Instead of cropping the camera’s sensor, the lenses extend your view. You can get all kinds of different phone camera lenses. There’s everything from telephoto lenses to wide-angle and fish-eye lenses. This is the only option if you want to make your camera better quality but still zoom in.

One point to consider is that cheap materials can affect the quality of the photograph. It is best if you take some time to research and look at images taken with the products.

There are some very expensive options. But some cheaper ones may be enough to provide you with great camera phone quality.

Having an aftermarket lens for your smartphone can open new photo options. These lenses are small and can fit in your pocket. It can be ideal for travel photography because it’s a minimalist setup.

7. Get a Camera App

Third-party photo editing apps are a simple option that can make your camera better quality. Third-party apps do not add higher resolution to your phone’s camera. These apps give you further manual controls to make the most out of your phone camera.

Dedicated camera apps can now deal with RAW images. And many smartphone cameras support this function. The better file type you use directly impacts the picture quality.

That is because some file types can compress your image. This automatically takes quality away from the original image.

The best smartphone camera app you can find is ProCamera for iOS. It is expensive. But it makes a huge difference if you use your iPhone for professional photography work.

It’s perfect for influencers, vloggers, and travel photographers. Those who share their work on social media will find it helpful.

8. Use The Rear Camera

The back camera on smartphones is more powerful than the front camera. This makes sense, as the cameras on the rear are considerably bigger than the front camera.

So, using your rear camera will make your camera better quality, therefore producing better photos.

It is also harder to fit a camera sensor around your screen. But the rear camera has plenty of space. It usually has a few more megapixels than the front camera.

The front camera may make certain photos easier to take. But it’s worth avoiding if you want better camera quality. The front camera is ideal for a quick and easy photo if you want to take a selfie.

But if you want the highest quality image of yourself, get friends or family to take the picture for you!

9. Use the HDR Setting

HDR stands for high dynamic range. In your phone’s camera settings, you have the option to shoot HDR photos. This will not technically improve camera quality, but it improves the clarity of your photos.

HDR settings make your camera take multiple exposures of the same image. The phone then automatically stitches the best exposures of each photo section together. This prevents you from losing information in your image’s shadows and highlights.

Apple iPhones automatically come with Smart HDR settings turned on. Smart HDR blends the best parts of separate exposures into one. You can turn this feature off in the smartphone camera settings. But I suggest keeping it on.

Other HD cameras and phone apps allow you to create even more in-depth HD photos you can edit. This is a great way to make your camera better quality in terms of exposure and dynamic range.

HDR image. © Pixabay (Pexels.com)

10. Use a Tripod

Another way to ensure your image is as sharp as possible is to invest in and use a tripod. A tripod is the best way to ensure you don’t have any camera shake. You can get small tripods for cheap, like this Sensyne 62-inch tripod.

There are tripods specifically made for smartphone photography. These tripods have adjustable legs. You can wrap these legs around almost anything. And they can hold your smartphone steady.

Photographing with a tripod slows down your shooting. But this can be a good thing. A tripod allows you to use the self-timer mode to photograph yourself.

It is also extremely useful when photographing at night. Night photography apps or long exposures need the camera to be as steady as possible. It also will make your camera better quality if you produce videos.

11. Avoid Poor-Quality Screenshots or Shared App Images

If you screenshot your image, the phone is taking a new photo of your photo. It will have worse quality than the image itself. So always deal with the original picture when you upload or print your photographs.

Also, be cautious about sending or receiving photos through social media or messaging apps. These apps compress your photos and reduce the quality by a huge amount. And make sure you are always dealing with the original photographs.

FAQs About the How to Make Your Camera Better Quality

These are the more common help requests we get with phone camera quality.

Tell Me How to Get Better Camera Quality on Android

Android phones allow you to change the resolution of your photographs. Open your camera app and click on Settings in the bottom left corner. Click on Resolutions. Then make sure you have the highest possible quality selected.

How Can I Make My Samsung Camera Quality Better?

The tips in this article can make your Samsung camera better. Ensure you are shooting with your Samsung camera’s best quality. To do this, open up the camera app. Then click the icon with the different aspect ratios. One of these should have a megapixel (MP) value underneath it. This is the highest resolution your camera can take photos.

How Can I Make My Front Camera Quality Better?

Follow our tips that don’t involve using the highest-resolution camera. Using better lighting and not using a digital zoom are the best things to remember when taking a photo. Then use editing functions after you have taken a photo to make it as sharp as possible.

How Do I Adjust the Camera Settings on My iPhone?

The iPhone camera app has a small arrow at the top of the screen. If you click this, some icons appear at the bottom of your screen. These let you change a range of photo settings. You must go into the iPhone camera settings to make more changes.

Conclusion: Make Your Camera Better Quality

We hope we’ve answered the question of how to make your camera better quality. You can see that there are many easy techniques to get the best results out of your smartphone camera.

Try to use them all with your smartphone photography. Some of these actions may seem small. But sometimes, a small change can make a huge difference!

Stability And Versatility

JOBY JB01550-BWW TelePod Mobile Tripod

Improve your smartphone camera quality with this versatile tripod that works as a selfie stick, monopod, elevated stand, or tripod for the sharpest photos.

How to Blur the Background in Lightroom (Step by Step)

Nick Constant — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:26:15 +0000

If you want to learn how to blur the background in Lightroom, you have come to the right place. This article will guide you through Lightroom’s easiest background blur methods.

Lightroom continues to add cutting-edge tools, allowing easier and more customizable background blur tools. This means you do not have to take your photos to Photoshop for expert levels of control. Lightroom is the best digital editing software for creating a quick background blur.

Do I Need Background Blur?

Creating a blurred background is a stylistic choice that puts all the attention on the subject in the foreground. It is useful for many reasons, from blocking our boring or distracting backgrounds to making the subject look sharper.

Background blur is created naturally in photography through a shallow depth of field. If you cannot produce this effect in the camera, you will have to do it in post-production. You may not be able to achieve it in the camera due to light restrictions or forgetting the right settings.

Background blur can completely change a photograph. It adds more depth to the image and places our subject at the front. Depth in a photograph can be a powerful tool for creating stunning images.

Blurring the Background in Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic

Adobe Lightroom now comes in two different versions: Lightroom and Lightroom Classic. Both versions have many of the same functions; what differs are the approaches to editing processes.

Lightroom favors a post-processing workflow that utilizes the cloud. This allows you to work from the same set of images on any device you want. This version also prioritizes simplicity and ease of use through a stripped-back interface. This may be easier for beginners to work through.

Lightroom Classic has an interface with which any photographer who has used the past versions of Lightroom would be familiar. It provides a wide range of features, some of which you may never need to use. You will find more in-depth controls and attention to detail in Lightroom Classic.

Both Lightroom versions produce the same results, as the algorithms for adjustments are the same. They each have the Lens Blur tools and a Brush Refinement section for greater control over your edits.

How To Blur the Background in Lightroom

There are two different methods to blur the background in Lightroom. We will cover three different approaches. We recommend using the Lens Blur feature as it is a new and powerful tool.

Click these links below to go to the relevant section:

Use Lens Blur
Use an AI Mask

Blur the Background in Lightroom Using the Lens Blur Tool

The Lens Blur tool is one of the newer additions to Lightroom’s arsenal. It is a powerful tool that is a great example of showing us how far digital editing software has come.

The Lens Blur tool uses AI to read our image to identify key features and depth in our photograph. This produces the fastest background blur technology Adobe has created, making the process much faster than Photoshop.

Step 1 – Apply Lens Blur

First, you want to open your image and go to the Edit panel in Lightroom or the Develop panel in Lightroom Classic.

Scroll down to find the Lens Blur section. Now, click Apply. This will start the AI analyzing your photograph, which will take a few seconds.

Now, your image should have a provisional background blur applied. You can use the Blur Amount slider to adjust the intensity of the blur.

Step 2 – Choose Your Bokeh

Now that you have your basic background blur in Lightroom, you can start to customise the edit.

Lightroom offers five different types of bokeh to choose from: Circle, Bubble, 5-blade, Ring, and Cat Eye. These different types of bokeh simulate the effect you get from different types of lenses. Bokeh is produced by a lens’s construction and internal features.

By changing the different type of bokeh you will see how you get different types of blur in your photograph.

Underneath the Bokeh options, you have a Boost slider. The Boost slider adjusts the intensity of the Bokeh effect.

Step 3 – Fine Tune the Focus Range

The best customizable feature comes from selecting the Focus Range. During the analysis process, Adobe’s AI calculates the depth in the photograph. The Focus Range adjustment allows you to pick the depth range that is in focus.

You can move the entire block or each end to select your Focus Range. Therefore, you can create a fairly wide or narrow focus range, deciding what works best for your image. The Focus range is Near on the left side and Far on the right side.

Lightroom features two icons to help you select different areas if you don’t want to manually do it. You will see these to the right of the Focus Range. One features an outline of a person, and one is of a crosshair.

The outline of a person is Subject Focus. This will identify the key subject in the photograph and ensure this subject is fully in focus, with the blur just behind it. The crosshair is Point/Area Focus. This allows you to click anywhere on the photograph, and it will set this area to not be blurred out.

Another brilliant feature is the Visualize Depth tool. Clicking these options will provide a heat map overlay, visualizing the photograph’s depth. This is great for adjusting the Focus Range.

When you start to adjust the Focus Range areas you will notice the colours change. The areas in colour will be blurred while the white areas will be in focus. This allows you to adjust with great levels of accuracy.

Step 4 – Brush Refinement

Adobe understands its AI for reading depth may not be 100% accurate. To combat this, Adobe provides a Brush Refinement section in each Lightroom version for maximum control over your blur.

This Brush tool gives you two options: Focus or Blur. These options decide whether what you draw in is in focus or blurred out.

The Amount slider allows you to select the intensity of the blur. Having this on 100 will match the intensity of your options above. Using the main Blur Amount slider will also adjust this blur.

Below this, you have regular Brush controls. The Size, Feather, and Flow sliders control your brush and how it acts. With the Visualize Depth map on, you can see how your brush strokes change the depth.

This section also comes with a Reset button. This is helpful as you can always go back to the first AI edit and make a better adjustment.

Blur the Background in Lightroom Using AI Mask

Another quick and easy way to create a background blur in Lightroom is to use the Masking tools.

This does not give you as many customization options as the Lens Blur option. But if you often use masks, you may find it more convenient.

Step 1 – Create A Mask

The icon for masking in Lightroom is a dotted circle with a shaded inside. You can find this in the Develop section in Lightroom Classic and below the Edit section in Lightroom.

Lightroom will present you with different AI masking options upon clicking the Mask section. These are Subject, Sky, Background, and People.

You can blur the background in Lightroom using the Subject, Background, and People options.

Step 2 – Blur the Background

Upon selecting your desired mask, you will see a red overlay over the selected parts of your image.

The red signifies the areas that will be edited. So, if you chose Subject or People, you must invert your selection. The Invert button is located just above the new adjustments for your mask.

You can then make edits to blur the background. The best adjustments for this are the Texture, Clairty, and Dehaze adjustments in Effects and Sharpness in the Detail section. If you want more texture for your Blur, you could also add Grain.

This method doesn’t make as dramatic of a blur as the Lens Blur tool. But its subtlety and control may suit some photographers more than others.

Conclusion – How To Blur the Background in Lightroom

Adobe makes blurring the background in Lightroom an incredibly easy task. Thanks to the Lens Blur tool, we can simulate different types of lenses and their effects. This is completely new in digital photo editing, and you will not be able to find it in any other digital editing software.

The previous process involved masking your subject in Photoshop and applying the blur to the background. Now, the entire process can take a single minute, which allows us much more time to fine-tune our creativity.

How to Use Lightroom Lens Correction (Step by Step)

Nick Constant — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 08:59:53 +0000

Today, we are looking at Lightroom lens correction tools. Adobe Lightroom is an all-in-one editing and organization software for photographers. This digital editing software includes various ways to correct images, from cropping to lens correction.

Lightroom lens correction is as simple as it gets. Adobe provides an automatic function and a more in-depth manual function to fine-tune your edits. This article will cover all options and adjustments for lens corrections.

What is Lens Correction?

Photographers need lens correction adjustments as optic construction has flaws. Lenses have different imperfections depending on their construction, focal length, and glass.

The most common issues you will encounter are distortion, perspective, chromatic aberration, and vignetting. These issues can distort the scene in front of the camera, making an unrealistic replication of the subject.

Should I Always Use Lens Correction?

Lens corrections are useful if you want to produce an accurate representation of the location or subject. However, you may not want to use them if you prefer the lens’s aesthetic.

For example, wide-angle lenses will produce a fish-eye look. This could be an important style choice for many genres of photography from fashion to sport photography. On the other hand, if you are an architectural photographer, you will want the scene to be as accurate as possible. Therefore, you would use lens correction.

Lens Correction in Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic

Adobe Lightroom now comes in two different versions: Lightroom and Lightroom Classic. Both versions have many of the same functions; what differs are the approaches to editing processes.

Both Lightroom versions produce the same results as the algorithms for adjustments are the same. They both allow you to perform lens corrections. This article will outline differences in the processes we touch on in either Lightroom version.

The main difference between the two Lightroom versions is that Lightroom Classic allows you to go into more detail. Lightroom does not allow you to perform manual edits apart from Defringe controls.

How To Apply Lightroom Lens Corrections

To start your Lightroom lens correction you will first want to open your image in Lightroom. Make your way to the Edit panel in Lightroom (you must be on Detail view for your image) and the Develop panel in Lightroom Classic.

You will then want to scroll down to find the Optics section in Lightroom and Lens Correction in Lightroom Classic. These are the same sections but have different names in each version.

Remove Chromatic Aberration

The first automatic feature you will encounter is removing chromatic aberration. This is a tick box that applies the correction without any intervention.

Chromatic aberration is cause by different light waves not syncing up due to how they travel through the lens. Therefore, you often find colored lines outlining high-contrast areas. Fixing chromatic aberration can make your images sharper.

In the example below, you can see that the Remove Chromatic Aberration button removes a blue and red tint from the building’s outline. This makes the lines more defined and, therefore, sharper.

This adjustment may not be noticeable on the web, but it will make a big difference if you print the image large.

Enable Profile Corrections

Lightroom has access to all the metadata for every photo you take on a digital camera. That is how it can tell you your camera settings inside the program.

With Profile Corrections, Lightroom goes one step further. The digital editing software can read the lens that you use. It then automatically applies corrections that are custom-tuned for your specific lens.

This does not work with every lens. Adobe supports the most popular lens brands and a few other unique ones. So, if you use a niche lens, you must check to see if Lightroom has support for it.

When you click Enable Profile Corrections, your image will look distorted. This can look strange at first, but you will notice that converging lines are now straighter.

If you do not like the results you can always fine-tune the selection. You can do this through the Distortion Correction and Lens Vignetting sliders below.

Editing the Distortion Correction will increase or decrease the barrel warp of the photograph. The Lens Vignette will make the edges lighter when increased and darker when decreased.

You are also able to change the lens Profile that Lightroom uses. It will automatically select the lens you are using, but you can manually put in your lens if Lightroom does not read it.

Defringe

The Defringe adjustment is located below the Optics section in Lightroom and in the Manual part of Lens Corrections in Lightroom Classic.

This manual adjustment allows you to control any color fringing in your photograph. This is done through a purple hue and a green hue. In Lightroom, you must select the color below Defringe. Lightroom Classic displays all sliders without having to swap between the colors.

Color fringing is a type of chromatic aberration. This is normally found in purple and green tints, hence the sliders for these colours.

Different lenses produce different forms of chromatic aberrations. Lightroom provides these as manual adjustments, as its automatic Remove Chromatic Aberration may not take these colours into account. This is because it is normally bad lenses that produce this effect.

Here, Lightroom allows you to adjust the amount and the hue of the colour fringing. The hue comes with two points in the slider. These set the parameters for the colors it eliminates. Be careful, as this adjustment will also eliminate colors in other places of the photograph.

Distortion

Lightroom Classic has a dedicated distortion slider in the Manual section. This slider allows you to control the distortion manually. This is what you will have to do if your lens is not recognised.

The distortion is quite dramatic, so you want to move it in small increments. When you move the slider, you will see a grid overlay you photograph. This is incredibly helpful. Look for lines that should be straight in your photograph and match them with the grid.

The Constrain Crop button will crop your image so the stretch leaves no blank space. This is good because it makes your photo full, but you will miss out on the details on the edge of the photo.

The example below is pushed to the extreme to show you want is capable from this tool.

Vignetting

Lightroom Classic also provides an additional vignetting slider in the Manual section. This slider is more powerful and offers more control than the one in the profile correction section.

It is similar in that it increases the exposure in corners when moving right and decreases when moving left. As just mentioned, the adjustment is more drastic.

The Vignetting slider also has a midpoint slider. This allows you to fine-tune how dramatic the gradient toward the center of the screen is. This feature helps you perfect your lens correction to fine details.

These adjustments are helpful for specialist equipment that may produce dramatic vignetting. The initial Vignetting slider in the Lightroom Classic Manual section is great for expert-level control, and it can fix most lens vignetting.

Applying Lens Corrections to Multiple Images

Both Lightroom versions allow you to save Lens Correction or Optics settings under a preset. First, you will want to edit the image. Then, you will want to make a preset. Read our in-depth article here for more information.

You can then apply the preset to a batch of photos or to every photo during the import process.

Remember that your lens distortion will change depending on the focal length. So, I would advise applying the preset only when looking at each image individually.

Conclusion: Lightroom Lens Correction

This guide shows that the Lightroom lens correction tools are brilliant for adjusting imperfections. Lightroom Classic offers a more in-depth approach to lens correction. But, these extra adjustments are optional for most photographs.

You don’t need to apply lens corrections to every photo, but they are crucial for some photographic genres. Try it out for yourself to see how Lightroom lens correction can improve your photography.

6 Best Canon Cameras for Beginners in 2024

Christopher Bryan-Smith — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 14:18:27 +0000

There’s a wide range of Canon cameras for beginners. They have everything from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras. And all their entry-level models are high-quality, easy to use, and affordable. These cameras are the perfect launchpad for aspiring photographers.

The Canon EOS R100 is the best Canon camera for beginners. It’s a great introductory camera for anyone entering the world of photography, with a high-resolution sensor, 4K video, and accessible controls and features.

But if that’s not the camera you’re after, we have plenty more Canon cameras in this article. Keep reading to find the perfect entry-level Canon camera.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Canon Cameras for Beginners

Canon EOS R100

Canon EOS Rebel T7 / 2000D

Canon EOS R10

What is the Best Canon Camera For Beginners?

The best Canon camera for beginners should be easy to use and affordable but deliver good results. There’s no point in buying a camera that doesn’t produce good photos. Enthusiasm will quickly fade, and the camera will sit in the wardrobe forever.

That won’t be the case with any of these Canon cameras. They vary in price and skill level, but they all give you photographs you can be proud of. And that’s without having to take a course in photography. You can pick them up and start shooting.

Some models have more advanced features than others, so it’s about finding one that suits your needs. What type of photography do you want to shoot? Do you want to use the camera for video recording? These are things you need to think about when looking for a beginner camera.

Here’s a rundown of all the best Canon cameras for beginners and why we like them. We look at each camera in more detail in the following section. And there’s a buyer’s guide at the end if you need more information.

Our Top Choice

Canon EOS R100

Excellent image quality from the 24.1 MP sensor
Canon's reliable Dual Pixel CMOS AF system
AF also has auto subject, face, and eye detection
4K video recording and Full HD at 60 fps
High-precision 2.36 million-dot electronic viewfinder

Most Affordable Canon

Canon EOS Rebel T7 / 2000D

Excellent image quality
Can be used as webcam
In-camera feature guide
Ergonomic body
Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity

Best Features

Canon EOS R10

Powerful APS-C sensor
Professional-standard Dual-Pixel AF
23 fps burst speed (electronic shutter)
Compact and lightweight camera body
Excellent video quality with 4K options

Best DSLR

Canon EOS Rebel T8i / 850D

Excellent image quality
Face and eye-detection AF
Great ISO range and low-light performance
4K/25p and Full HD/120p video
Webcam functionality and remote shooting with smartphone

Best Vlogging Camera

Canon EOS R50

Lightweight mirrorless body with a 24.2 MP sensor
100% coverage with Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus system
15 fps burst mode with electronic shutter
Fully rotating touchscreen for webcam and vlogging
4K uncropped video at 30 fps

Best Bridge Camera

Canon PowerShot SX70 HS

Great price
Superb image quality with classic Canon colors
Optical image stabilization
Lightweight and compact
4K video capabilities

6 Best Canon Cameras for Beginners

Now we’ll look at each Canon camera in more detail. We’ll examine all the important specifications, like image and video resolution, burst speed, and additional features.

You’ll find the latest entry-level mirrorless cameras, as well as some DSLR cameras that still do the business for amateur photographers. We’re sure you’ll find a Canon camera that suits you.

1. Canon EOS R100

Released	Released 2023
Sensor Format	Sensor Format APS-C
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Canon RF
Megapixels	Megapixels 24 MP
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 3,975
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 12,800
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 6.5 fps
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Max Video Resolution	Max Video Resolution 4K

The Canon EOS R100 is Canon’s latest entry-level camera. It’s a compact and lightweight mirrorless camera that has everything a beginner needs to get started. It’s also one of Canon’s most affordable mirrorless cameras.

It’s an APS-C model, making it easy to hold, even for younger users. And it fits in any of the best camera backpacks or messenger bags.

You get lovely image quality from the 24.1 MP CMOS sensor. The details are sharp and clear. And the colors are well-rendered and true to life. It also has a good dynamic range for a camera at this level. It copes well with varying light conditions.

The R100 uses Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus system. It’s a reliable system with 88% horizontal and 100% vertical frame coverage. It also has 143 focus zones for detecting your subject. It also has eye detection AF for better people pictures.

With a max shooting speed of 6.5 fps, the burst mode is slow compared to other mirrorless cameras. But the camera has One-Shot AF mode that gives you full AF coverage when burst shooting.

Beginner filmmakers will enjoy the video features. You can record footage with 4K video resolution. The quality is great, but the 4K footage is cropped. The max 4K frame rate is also only 24 fps. Shooting in Full HD with a 60 fps frame rate with give you smoother playback.

The rear screen is fixed with no articulation. But you do have a bright, accurate electronic viewfinder. You can use this for stills photography and video shooting. It’s a great tool for composition when you’re learning the ropes.

The Canon EOS R100 is the best Canon camera for beginners. It has everything you need to get started. It’s user-friendly for youngsters and tech-shy photographers. And you can’t beat the bargain price tag. It’s the perfect first step on your photography journey.

2. Canon EOS Rebel T7

Released	Released 2018
Sensor Format	Sensor Format APS-C
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Canon EF-S
Megapixels	Megapixels 24.1 MP
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 9
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 6,400
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 3 fps
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Max Video Resolution	Max Video Resolution Full HD

In many regards, the Canon EOS Rebel T7 has been surpassed by the newer Rebel models. But this is still a great camera for beginners. It offers all the specs and features you expect from an entry-level camera. And you can buy one brand new for an absolutely bargain price.

This Canon Rebel more than holds its own with image quality. The 24.1 MP can go head-to-head with any camera on this list. And the DIGIC 4+ processor ensures you get the best-quality images.

A 100 – 6,400 ISO range is decent, allowing you to shooting in low-light situations without too much digital noise. The T7 also has a reliable 9-point focus system, so you don’t miss a shot.

Beginners will love the genre-specific automatic modes. You select them using the dial on the top of the camera. And you there are modes for all the main photography genres, like portraits and landscapes.

The max burst speed is only 3 fps, which is slow by any standard. And the lack of 4K video does expose this camera’s age.

But the Full HD footage is still great fun for aspiring filmmakers. And Wi-Fi connectivity makes sharing images on social media easy.

You can also use the Canon EOS Rebel T7 as a webcam. You can connect it to your computer with a USB and download the Canon Utility Webcam software from their website.

Plus, you have remote shooting options when you use the Canon Camera Connect app. (Available for iOS and Android phones.) Unfortunately, the battery life isn’t fantastic for a DSLR.

3. Canon EOS R10

Released	Released 2022
Sensor Format	Sensor Format APS-C
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Canon RF
Megapixels	Megapixels 24 MP
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 651
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 32,000
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 15 fps
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Max Video Resolution	Max Video Resolution 4K

The Canon EOS R10 is the best beginner camera if you want more advanced features. It’s an APS-C mirrorless camera that excels in photography and video production. It’s a great camera for aspiring vloggers and content creators as well as traditional photographers.

A 24.2 MP resolution is brilliant for an entry-level camera. And the images are bright, vibrant, and detailed. You also get excellent low-light performance thanks to the 32,000 max ISO setting.

It also has the most advanced autofocus system of any camera on this list. Using 651 focus points, it gives you quick and accurate focusing. It has eye-detection capabilities, so your subjects are always perfectly in focus. And it tracks them as they move.

A rapid 15 fps burst mode helps you capture fast action. Whether you’re shooting dramatic scenes or sports events, you have the continuous shooting speed to keep up.

Uncropped 4K video is another reason for this camera’s popularity. You can record clear, sharp footage with no 30-minute time limit and a 30 fps frame rate.

Practical features like the articulating touchscreen and control dials improve usability. You also have USB charging, so it’s easy to power up when you’re out and about.

4. Canon EOS Rebel T8i

Released	Released 2020
Sensor Format	Sensor Format APS-C
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Canon EF/EF-S
Megapixels	Megapixels 24 MP
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 45
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 25,600
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 7.5 fps
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Max Video Resolution	Max Video Resolution 4K

The Canon EOS Rebel T8i (850D) is an excellent all-rounder. It has fantastic features for photography and video. And Canon keeps the controls simple, so true beginners can make the most of it.

The Canon DSLR gives you a variety of exposure controls. There’s fully automatic, which is ideal for first-timers. But you can gradually take control using the semi-auto shooting modes like shutter priority and aperture priority modes.

The 24.1 MP (megapixel) sensor isn’t groundbreaking in the wider world of digital cameras. But the T8i has excellent image quality, delivering clear detail and accurate colors.

The autofocus system is superb for an entry-level camera. It uses 45 phase-detection points. And they track your subject as they move across the frame.

You also have eye detection for humans and animals. So you can have fun shooting portraits, pet portraits, and wildlife photography.

Video is another feature beginners will love. The T8i gives you lovely 4K footage. It’s perfect for getting started with videography. And the rotating screen makes it easy to film yourself for vlogs.

DSLR cameras tend to have bulkier camera bodies. But this ergonomically designed Rebel fits in your hand comfortably, so you get used to it quickly.

Finally, the Rebel T8i offers good value for money with the kit lens. It’s the most advanced entry-level DSLR, and a great option for enthusiastic beginners.

5. Canon EOS R50

Released	Released 2023
Sensor Format	Sensor Format APS-C
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Canon RF
Megapixels	Megapixels 24 MP
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 651
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 32,000
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 12 fps
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Max Video Resolution	Max Video Resolution 4K

The Canon EOS R50 is the perfect choice for beginners looking for a true hybrid camera. That’s a camera where the video features are just as strong as the photography features.

Much like the R10, the EOS R50 has a 24.2 MP image resolution. It also matches the 100 – 32,000 ISO range for low-light photography.

But the R50 really excels in the video department. The 4K footage is oversampled from 6K, so the details are sharper and the colors more vibrant. It also records uncropped 4K with a 30 fps frame rate. You can also record 120 fps low-motion footage with a Full HD resolution.

You can also use it as a high-resolution webcam, which is great news for live streamers. And you don’t need to worry about the battery running out with long-form recording. USB charging keeps the power flowing.

Vertical video mode allows you to create content that’s optimized for social media. You don’t need to edit the footage to make it fit a smartphone format.

The autofocus is also geared toward video recording. Its eye-detection and subject tracking features ensure you stay in focus even if you move around. It also covers 100% of the frame, so it find you even in the corners.

A rotating touchscreen makes a vlogger’s life much easier, helping you see yourself while you record. The hot shoe allows you to attach an external microphone for high-quality sound recording.

It’s one of the most affordable Canon cameras for beginners, even when you buy it with a kit lens.

6. Canon Powershot SX70 HS

Released	Released 2018
Sensor Format	Sensor Format 1/2.3”
Lens Mount	Lens Mount Fixed
Megapixels	Megapixels 20 MP
Autofocus Points	Autofocus Points 9
Maximum ISO (Native)	Maximum ISO (Native) 3,200
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 10 fps
In-body Stabilization	In-body Stabilization
Max Video Resolution	Max Video Resolution 4K

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS is a bridge camera. It has all the functions of a DSLR, but it’s as easy to operate as a point-and-shoot camera.

The lens is fixed, so you don’t need to fork out extra cash to buy other lenses. Plus, this model has excellent performance, making it one of the best Canon cameras for beginners.

The sensor has an image resolution of 20.3 MP. That’s lower than other options on the list. But the DIGIC 8 processor maximizes performance. So you still get incredible photos.

The fixed Canon lens gives you a powerful 65x zoom . This transports you to the heart of the action not matter how far away you are.

That makes it one of the best entry-level cameras for sports and wildlife photographers. And the in-body image stabilization reduces camera shake when you’re zoomed in, giving you sharper shots.

You also have 4K video with a bonus time-lapse feature. There’s a 10 fps burst mode. And you get Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Plus, you have the option of an optical viewfinder and an LCD screen.

Buyer’s Guide for Canon Cameras for Beginners

Buying your first camera isn’t easy. Lists of camera specifications and features can read like hieroglyphics if you’re new to photography. That’s why we’ve written this buyer’s guide.

We look at why Canon is the best camera brand for beginners. And we cover the most important specifications to look for in entry-level cameras.

Why Choose a Canon Camera?

Canon offers the perfect gateway into photography. Their beginner-grade cameras have all the features you need to learn photography.

Quite simply, Canon has the best selection of cameras for beginners. They have DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and bridge cameras. And they have all these options at the beginner level.

And their extensive model list means you can upgrade with Canon as your skills progress. They have options from beginner to professional-standard cameras.

Finally, Canon is also one of the biggest and best camera brands in the world. They consistently produce cameras of outstanding quality.

But you also have other big hitters out there. There are fantastic Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm cameras for beginners.

You can see our lists of the best Nikon cameras and Sony cameras for beginners in this links.

What to Look for in a Beginner Camera

Buying a beginner digital camera isn’t easy. There are lots of things to consider. And the lists of features and specs can be a maze of information.

First, you must consider the type of photography you want to get started with. Then you can find the specs that match your intent. Here are some of the main features you should look at.

Type of Camera: Canon has several different camera types in its beginner range. They have DSLR, mirrorless, and compact cameras. DSLRs are traditional cameras known for their reliability and classic functionality. Mirrorless cameras tend to be smaller than DSLRs. And they have more modern features like electronic viewfinders and electronic shutters. Compact cameras offer something simple. They have fixed lenses, are easy to use, and fit in your pocket.
Sensor Resolution: The resolution of the image sensor plays a huge part in the camera’s image quality. Other features also play a role. But looking at the sensor resolution gives you a good sign of what you can expect. Resolution is measured by the number of megapixels (MP) on the camera sensor. And the higher the MP, the better the image quality. This isn’t always true. But it is a general rule with beginner cameras.

ISO Range: The ISO setting determines the sensor’s sensitivity to light. The quality is better if you set the ISO to a low number. But you need more light to get proper exposure. You can shoot in daylight at lower levels. A higher ISO allows you to shoot in darker situations. It’s useful for night photography or shooting concerts. But you experience more digital noise. So a wide ISO range gives you more shooting options.
Autofocus: This is a helpful feature if you want to try wildlife or sports photography. The camera does the focusing for you, letting you concentrate on getting the picture you want. An autofocus that tracks your subject is also beneficial for fast-moving photography.
Extra Features: Younger photographers might prefer an electronic viewfinder over an optical one. And you also want to look out for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options. They make transferring and sharing photos really easy.

Conclusion: The Best Canon Cameras For Beginners

Finding the best camera for beginners isn’t easy, but you can’t go wrong with a Canon camera. As we’ve seen, they have an excellent range of entry-level cameras. They have mirrorless cameras, DSLRs, and bridge cameras. They also have cameras with advanced features, and more affordable options.

The Canon EOS R100 is our favorite Canon camera for beginners. Anyone can pick it up and start shooting. Even more experienced shooters will be pleased with the results. It’s also an affordable camera, so you’re not wasting too much money if things don’t work out.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Canon Cameras for Beginners

Canon EOS R100

Canon EOS Rebel T7 / 2000D

Canon EOS R10

7 Best Background Change Apps in 2024 (7 Free Apps)

Christopher Bryan-Smith — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 13:32:53 +0000

A good background change app helps you transform you photos quickly and easily. Changing the background used to be a complicated job, and you needed specialist photo editing software. But that’s not the case anymore. As you’ll see in this article, there are plenty of smartphone apps that make it easy to change a background.

The Photo Background Changer app is our top recommendation. It does exactly what is says on the tin, allowing you to change the background on your images without much fuss. It’s simple, easy to use, and free.

If you want to learn more and see more of the best background change apps, keep reading.

Our Top 3 Background Change Apps

Photo Background Changer

Prisma

LightX: AI Photo Editor

What is the Best Background Changer App?

The best background changer app should be easy enough for anyone to use. It should also be free, so no one is priced out of transforming their images.

There are some excellent camera apps and photo editing apps. And while we have included some more advanced editing apps in this article, we’ve tried to focus on more accessible applications.

Changing and removing backgrounds is becoming more popular. We’re seeing it more with sophisticated photo editing, but it’s also popular with social media users, influencers, and content creators.

Background removal tools are often included of larger photo apps. And there are dedicated background changer apps. We’ve included both types in this article.

You can see a quick overview of the best background changer apps in the table below. We look at each app in more detail in the following section.

Our Top Choice

Photo Background Changer

Automatic subject detection
Extensive library of new backgrounds
Good selection of adjustment tools
Stylish filters

Best Art-Style App

Prisma

Turn your photos into works of art
Easy background removal with fabulous templates
Artistic filters with paint and old photo styles
Free app available for Android and iOS

Best Advanced Removal Toosl

LightX: AI Photo Editor

Uses the power of AI for simple editing
AI background remover is fast and accurate
AI generated backgrounds from text prompts
AI clothes change feature

Best Simple App

Auto Background Changer

Simple app for change backgrounds
Auto background changing is super quick
Manual background erase tool for more accuracy
Cut and paste tool to add or remove objects

Best for Adobe Users

Adobe Photoshop Express

Free with Creative Cloud Subscription
Extensive editing tools
Layer editing for changing backgrounds
AI Photo Enhancer improves image quality

Best Upgrade Option

PhotoDirector: AI Photo Editor

AI Editing tools for streamlined retouching
Replace background using app library or phone gallery
Sky replacement feature
Editing tools for white balance, HDR, and background blur

Best for Photo and Video

Vivid Glam

Background change on videos and photos
Easily retouch selfies
Hide blemishes and reshape your face
Social media integration

7 Best Background Changer Apps

Now we look at each background changer app in more detail.

1. Photo Background Changer

Brand	Brand Lyrebird Studio
Available for	Available for Android
Free?	Free? Free with in-app purchases
Key Features	Key Features Simple background changing tools
Best For	Best For Anyone looking for a simple app for changing photo backgrounds

The Photo Background Changer app does exactly what you’d expect it to. It removes background from photos and allows you to replace it with something different. It’s a bit of a one-trick-pony, as it doesn’t have many other features. But if you want an app to change photo backgrounds, this is the best option.

Removing the original background could not be easier. The app automatically detects the subject in the photo, so you don’t have to highlight areas or use fiddly cutting tools. It’s then just a one-click operation to remove it.

Once removed, you can quickly add the new background. You don’t have the option to add your own background photos, but they have an extensive library you can choose from.

It isn’t a photo editing app, but you do have some tools for touchups and minor adjustments. This helps you blend the subject with their new background, making the image look like an original, untouched photo.

Brush and cut-and-paste tools help you fine-tune your edits. You can remove objects or even people. For example, if you have a photo in which you look fabulous and your friends look like trash, just cut them out.

The app makes it easy to share your transformed images on social media once you’re finished with them. You can upload photos directly to platforms like Instagram.

The main complaint about this app is the ads. They can be frustrating, but that’s the price you pay for a free app. It’s also only available for Android smartphones.

2. Prisma

Brand	Brand Prisma
Available for	Available for Android and iOS
Free?	Free? Free with in-app purchases
Key Features	Key Features Hundreds of art styles, filters, and background templates
Best For	Best For Users looking for artistic background changes

Prisma is a photo editing app that turns your photos into works on art. One of the main features is the background changing tool, which is one of the easiest ways to transform your dull images into something more vibrant.

Background editing is one of Prisma’s top selling points. Changing the background in selfies is a one-click operation. You can replace the original background with one of Prisma’s eye-catching templates. Or you can use another photo from your phone’s gallery.

You can also add artistic styles and filters to your photos. The stylish filters transform you images into something that will really stand out on social media. And you can turn your images into works of art, with paint and film photo styles.

One key aspect of the editing tools is that you can edit the subjects and background separately. This helps you get the final finish you want, giving you more creative freedom.

The basic Prisma app is free, but there are in-app upgrades you have to pay for. It’s available for Android and iOS systems.

3. LightX: AI Photo Editor

Brand	Brand LightX
Available for	Available for Android and iOS
Free?	Free? Free with in-app purchases
Key Features	Key Features AI background generator, editing tools
Best For	Best For Users looking for advanced background changing options

LightX is one of the most advanced background changer apps there is. Using the power of artificial intelligence (AI), it helps you transform dull images into something more spectacular.

The app uses AI to detect the background and separate it from the subject. You don’t need to cut the subject out manually or use brush tools. The robot does it for you.

But the most impressive feature has to be the AI background generator. You feed it a few text prompts describing what you want and the AI machine generates a whole new background from scratch. The results are truly impressive.

You don’t have to use the robot to make your backgrounds. LightX also has an extensive library of pre-designed backgrounds you can apply quickly and easily.

The app has other AI features you can use to enhance your images. A text-to-image AI bot creates imagery and stickers. There’s an AI that replaces clothes. And there’s a Magic AI eraser that removes unwanted objects from your photos.

The basic version of the app is free, and this does include some background removal tools. However, some of the more advanced AI tools are only available once you sign up for a monthly subscription.

LightX: AI Photo Editor is available for Android and iOS systems.

4. Auto Background Changer

Brand	Brand Visu Entertainment
Available for	Available for Android and iOS
Free?	Free? Free
Key Features	Key Features Simple set of tools
Best For	Best For Tech-shy users looking for any easy option

Auto Background Changer is the best app for users with no photo editing experience. It’s a basic, single-purpose app, but it delivers exactly what you want it too. It allows you to change the background in your photos with smart-looking results.

The background changing tools couldn’t be more simple. You have an auto mode that removes the background with one click. There’s an manual erase tool where you remove the background using your finger. And you have undo, redo, and reset tools.

There are cut and paste tools, so you can take elements from one image and insert them into another. And you can blur backgrounds to give portraits and selfies a lovely bokeh effect.

There isn’t much more to it than that. It has it’s limitations, but it’s a simple app anyone can use to change image backgrounds.

Auto Background Changer is available for Android and iOS smartphones.

5. Adobe Photoshop Express

Brand	Brand Adobe
Available for	Available for Android and iOS
Free?	Free? Free if you have a Creative Cloud subscription
Key Features	Key Features Advanced editing tool set, RAW file editing
Best For	Best For Advanced image editing

Adobe Photoshop Express is a condensed version of Adobe’s industry-leading photo editing software. And it’s one of the best smartphone apps for editing photos.

It isn’t a dedicated background change app, but you can remove and replace backgrounds using the extensive tool set. It’s a bit trickier to use than some of the simple apps, but you have far more creative control. You can use any image as a background, and you have editing tools to fineness your photos.

The app opens and edits RAW image files and well as JPEGs, giving you more power when editing. It also gives you filters, stamps, and custom watermarks.

Photoshop Express is another app that harnesses AI to streamline photo editing. The AI photo enhancer improves clarity, erases background noise, and dehazes images. You can even retouch portraits and selfies with just a tap of the screen.

Easily export finished images to social media with app integration links with Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Adobe Photoshop Express is available for Android and iOS smartphones. However, it’s only free if you already have an Adobe subscription. That’s why it doesn’t feature higher on our list.

6. PhotoDirector: AI Photo Editor

Brand	Brand PhotoDirector
Available for	Available for Android and iOS
Free?	Free? Free with in-app purchases
Key Features	Key Features AI enhancer, AI avatar maker, advanced retouching tools
Best For	Best For Advanced features if you want to upgrade

PhotoDirector: AI Photo Editor is a feature-packed app from CyberLink. The free version gives you tools to change your background and retouch your images. But it also has the best range of features if you’re willing to upgrade and pay.

The background change tool is available in the free version. And you can replace them using images from the PhotoDirector library or from your own smartphone camera reel.

You can also replace skies, choosing from the app’s sky gallery. It includes clear blue skies, overcast skies, and sunsets.

It also gives you tools to retouch your images. Removing red eye is simple, and there are specific tools for retouching selfies. You can also blur portrait backgrounds for a tasteful bokeh.

The app has more sophisticated tools, like white balance, HDR, and vignetting features. The AI Enhance, a flagship feature, improves all-round image quality with just one tap of the screen.

You can have fun creating stickers, applying filters, and adding text to your images. This app can take your social media profile to new heights.

The downside is that some of the best features are behind the paywall. But upgrading is worth it if you want the best image-enhancing tools.

PhotoDirector: AI Photo Editor is available for Android and iOS.

7. Vivid Glam Photo Video Retouch

Brand	Brand Cyberlink
Available for	Available for iOS
Free?	Free? Free with in-app purchases
Key Features	Key Features Photo and Video background editing tools
Best For	Best For Video and photo background editing

Vivid Glam, another CyberLink app, makes it on to our list thanks to its photo and video editing tools. It’s a great background change app for content creators who use different types of media.

You can add any photo to create a new background in images, transforming selfies and portraits. And you can do the same with videos like vlogs. It brings a new dimension to your video content.

You can create perfect selfies with the touch-up tools. The tool set allows you to adjust skin tones, remove blemishes, and whiten your teeth. You can even reshape your face, helping you fix anything you might feel self-conscious about.

Like PhotoDirector, you do have to subscribe and pay to access the best, most advanced features. But the free version still gives you plenty of creative tools for editing photos and videos.

Vivid Glam Photo Video Retouch is only available for iPhones.

How to Choose The Best Background Changer App

The app you choose depends on the kind of results you want to have. If you want your app to add background to photos, download a general editing app with newer background-changing features.

Your choice also depends on your personal preferences. Perhaps other tools, such as color adjustment or blur, are essential to you.

As long as you know what you want, you won’t make the wrong decision. Here are three attributes to look at for a background changer.

Accuracy and Effectiveness of Background Removal Tools

There are a few essential features you should look for in every background-removing app. It would be best to look at the accuracy and smoothness of the brush tools, the choice of backgrounds, and the option to add custom backgrounds.

An excellent way to judge the accuracy of each app is to watch editing videos on YouTube that feature the app you are considering. It lets you see how to use the app’s tools and watch editors in action.

It’s also worth looking at the difference between apps using a magic brush tool approach and an automatic background changer. If an app uses the brush tool approach, make sure you can zoom into the image to get the fine details.

A cheap automatic background changer may miss out on significant bits of information. Make sure you use a good one if this is your preferred approach.

Advanced Editing Capabilities

If you want to sharpen your editing skills, invest in an app with all the tools like Photoshop.

Some photographers treat background apps like composite tools. They create fantastic art pieces featuring fantasy images or surreal collages.

You can also create complicated composites like this with advanced app features. One such app is LightX.

How Simple a Background App is to Use

Other points to consider are how much you use the app and how straightforward you want the editing process.

This feature is vital for small businesses working on their social media account, where changing the background of products can make them more desirable. Of course, time is of the essence when working with many products. So a simple app is preferable.

Simplicity is also essential for people who are not the most tech-savvy. Photo editing apps often have too many options, and you need to spend a few hours familiarizing yourself with the tools.

Some of the apps we mentioned have only one function to change the background. An app like this is ideal for people who don’t have the time or energy to learn new software.

Our Urban Smartphone Minimalism e-book is a great way to test your background remover app and create colorful composites!

Conclusion

Thanks to improving technology, changing a photo background has never been easier. All the apps on this allow you to do just that on your smartphone. And each one gives you that power for free.

We included simple apps that change the background without much fuss. But we’ve also shown you more advanced apps with sophisticated editing tools for changing backgrounds and much more besides.

Photo Background Changer is our favorite app. It’s the perfect solution, delivering exactly what you want without upfront payments or subscription fees. It’s the best background change app right now.

Our Top 3 Background Change Apps

Photo Background Changer

Prisma

LightX: AI Photo Editor