iOS Creative Editing
October 19, 2020
Creative editing or painterly editing is a way to add an artistic look to your images. Creating these images can be made with normal editing programs like Lightroom or Photoshop, but using an iPad or iOS device provides unique ways to create these magical images. I use these applications to add texture, atmosphere, light, birds, and texture. This blog post will share a couple of my favorite editing application tools. As you consider editing on an iOS device, here are some key tips:
- The applications that I recommend are not one-stop editing tools. You will want to combine tools to get to a final image. There are lots of photo editing applications. The ones that I recommend are not all-inclusive; they are for creative techniques vs. standard editing.
- The applications often will reduce the size of your image. I suggest that as you edit to use an application called Resize to adjust your image. This will ensure you have as many pixels as needed to create a great image.
- The applications recommended are either free or low-cost, many also offer a paid pro option. I would suggest you start with the basic level, and then if you love the application and think you will use it often, you could upgrade to the pro. Most of the tools that I use are at the basic level and work for my editing needs.
- Should you edit before using an application to add creativity? I will often edit an image in lightroom and then take the image into the application to finish. But, you can also edit an image completely with the applications. Try both and see how it works for you.
Here are three great tools to assist you in creating painterly images:
Distressed FX+: This application is easy to use and offers so many options; it is one of my favorite apps. The application provides overlays and textures that are very creative and painterly. The basic level has so many options to offer, or you can add extra texture packs to really expand the options. I love this tool because you get hundreds of overlay/texture options for the low price of the application. The program also allows you to adjust the opacity and level of the textures that you add.
These images are using this tool only.
Mextures: This application also packs a lot into one system. This application is a collection of presets that other artists have created. It includes color adjustments, textures, overlays. I often use this to convert a daytime image into a night image or convert from a summer scene to fall or winter. This application provides hundreds of options that are called formulas to edit an image creatively. It is so fun to sit and try the various combinations to change an image’s overall look. This is a great application to begin an edit with to set the stage.
These images show the wide variety of options available to you with this application.
Lens-distortions: This application offers a way to add light, bokeh, fog, clouds, rain, snow, glitter to an image. It is a great additional tool for finishing an image with an extra touch. This application does allow you to apply the technique and then reduce the opacity. Upgrading to their pro version allows you to mask the technique that you added.
Using this application, I added rain, clouds, and a color overlay .
Other applications that are helpful when editing with iOS applications:
Superimpose is an application that allows you to overlay two images and then mask or blend the images.
Resize lets you resize an image after processing it through many applications.
Retouch is a great application to remove blemishes, power lines, items you do not want.
Lightroom mobile: LR has a great iPad option for making those small tweaks to an image.
If you are interested in learning more about creative editing on your iPad please join my self-study iOS editing course offered anytime through Captial Photography Center.
www.online.capitalphotographycenter.com
