Outdoor photography is a great way to get some cool photos while exploring the world around you, but getting the best photos isn’t always easy. The good news is that there are plenty of apps out there that can help you become a better outdoor photographer.
From technical aspects of photography to finding the best locations and keeping tabs on the weather, there are apps for your Android device that will make getting the perfect outdoor shots a whole lot easier.
Keep an Eye on the Sky
One of the first things you want to do is know what the weather will be like on the day of your shoot. Depending on the cloud cover, the time of day, whether it’s raining or snowing, will give you different results.
This weather app for android is a great companion to have when you’re ready to head outside. Not only does it tell you the true temperature and the “feels like” temperature so you can dress accordingly, it comes with an hourly and seven-day forecast so you can plan for your day and even your entire week of shooting. It also has a radar map that’s constantly updated so you can watch out for storms heading your way.
Sun Surveyor
Once you’re outdoors and heading to your location, you will want to know what the lighting conditions will be. This app lets you track the sun and moon in real time so you know when they will be the right angle for the perfect shot.
The app uses augmented reality – where the sun and moon are overlayed onto your surroundings through your smartphone — so you can rewind and fast-forward the time to find the right conditions. It also connects to Google Street View, so you can see the lighting situation at any location you choose.
Fotor
Fotor is an image manipulator and editor with plenty of features that photographers of all skill levels can use.
The app has a built-in focus feature that mimics different focal lengths so you can get the best results from your photos, even if the originals weren’t the best. There are tons of filters as well, so you can find the right balance of after effects, contrast and color to showcase your best work. There is also a large community of photographers that can help answer any questions you may have.
Google Earth
Although you’ve probably messed around with this app before, you may not know about its potential for outdoor photography. And the best thing is, it’s free!
With Google Earth, you can scout locations before hand, allowing you to find the perfect spot for your photo shoot before you even leave the house. You can also map out your path if you need to hike a little, so you can show others exactly where you will be if you head out by yourself.
Try one of these apps and take your outdoor photos to the next level.
This guest post is by Laura Paige, an amateur photographer who loves landscape photography. She writes about outdoor photography and capturing the perfect shot in her articles which appear around the web.