Summer is filled with memories to capture, from trips to the beach and camp visiting days to family barbecues and lazy days by the pool.
There are a number of artful apps now available that make preserving those special moments all the easier. Here are some of our favorites.
1. Waterlogue ($2.99): Let your inner artist emerge. The Waterlogue app transforms your pictures into beautiful watercolor sketches that look like paintings, all without the hassle of using an actual paintbrush and paint. It approaches the editing of your photos with an artist’s eye. Once you downloaded the app, select an image from your camera roll and watch it morph into different painting styles that appear along the bottom of the screen (similar to Instagram). Each different filter has a thumbnail example of its specific effect.
2. Camera+ ($1.99): This is one of the best photo editing apps out there. And with over 10 million downloads, we’re not alone in our thinking. This app allows anyone to shoot like a pro. It is a camera, a photo editing and effects app, and a photo-sharing app. You can shoot photos directly in the app, which is preferable, or there is an option to import photos from your camera roll. Editing occurs in the “lightbox” portion of the app, which is where all your photos are stored immediately after you take them. If the lighting of your photo isn’t exactly right for a particular situation you can choose from 17 different lighting corrections (or “scenes”). With just a single tap, it analyzes your photos and makes adjustments, like enhancing colors, removing shadows and adjusting light to bring out the details in your image. Once you’re done editing, you can save the photos to your camera roll.
3. Mosaic (Free): The Mosaic app, compatible with the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, allows you to create a photo book in just a few minutes. It’s so easy, you can actually do it even before you arrive home from an event (like when you’re sitting in the airport waiting for your flight, or in the car as you’re driving home). Once you’ve downloaded the Mosaic app, simply tap on 20 pictures from your camera roll, arrange them in the order you want and in a guaranteed four days they will deliver you a beautiful 7-inch square photo book all for $20 (plus tax & shipping). Perfect for weekend getaways, family barbecues, sporting events and birthday celebrations. Makes for a great personalized gift as well.
4. Artkive (Free): Are you wondering what to do with the drawers full of artwork your child has brought home over the course of the school year? Rather than feeling guilty as you throw your darling’s masterpieces away (when the kids aren’t looking, of course), let us introduce you to Artkive! With this clever little app, you’ll take pictures of your child’s work with your iPhone or iPad camera and categorize it by child. You then have the option to arrange the order, add some text and select which image to feature on your cover. Decide whether you want to share the digital album on social media or have them print and send you a beautiful hard cover book. Your kids will love seeing their artwork in print (almost as much as you’ll love getting rid of the clutter). Books start at $25.
