Twenty Apps Every Android Photographer Should Have

Over the last five years, there is no doubt that Apple’s iPhone and iPad devices have dominated in the photo industry. Not only did they constantly receive the best applications first, but often times developers would only develop for IOS, leaving Android users out to dry. On top of this, there was a general mindset that if you wanted a smart device as a photographer, Apple was THE way to go. Times however are changing…

While Apple continues to produce phenomenal devices, they are no longer the only kids on the block. Google’s Android software has made huge strides in the last three years and have caught up and arguably surpassed IOS devices in many ways. While I continue to use an Apple Desktop and Macbook Air, I have a Samsung Galaxy Nexus phone and an Asus Transformer Prime Android tablet. Both devices run the latest Android OS, ICS (Ice Cream Sandwich). They are sleek, powerful and have a nearly fully customization operating system that is Androids first step in providing a universal, polished and well oiled user experience with all Android devices.

With Android maintaining a large lead over Apple with market share around the globe, more and more photographers are looking to Android as an alternative to an iPhone or iPad. I have put together a list of 20 must have applications for any photographer that uses Android devices. Some applications are photo specific while others are more general, but regardless they are all part of my every day experience. The apps are listed in no particular order of importance.

UPDATE: Vol 2 of Twenty Apps Every Android Photographer Should Have can be found HERE

 Recommended Apps for Photographers

	Full control of your Canon EOS DSLR from your phone or tablet through USB !DSLR Controller is the first and only app that allows you to fully control your Canon EOS DSLR from your Android device with only a USB cable. No computer or laptop required, no root required, only a compatible mobile device, a compatible camera, and the right USB cable.
	Transform images with core Photoshop features in an app designed for tablets.Combine images, apply professional effects, share results with friends and family through sites like Facebook, and more – all from the convenience of your tablet.Use Photoshop features designed for the tablet such as layers, selection tools, adjustments, and filters to create mind-blowing images. Sync projects with Adobe Creative Cloud* and open layered files from Adobe Photoshop Touch in Photoshop.
	Pano is an award-winning app that lets you take beautiful, seamless panoramic photos straight from your phone, no other software necessary. Pano has gotten rave reviews from hundreds of thousands of users around the world.If you do not have ICS, which has this feature built in, then this is your next best bet
	The best free photo gallery and picture browser & viewer in Android. Allows you to view and create high quality slideshows, include and exclude folders for easier scanning, protect images and video with passwords, play animated gifs and standard videos, rote, shrink, crop and set images as wall paper and much more…
	Application that allows you to take as well as edit images.- 84 effects & 59 frames – Retro/vintage styles – LOMO/Diana/Holga toy camera styles – Polaroid/instant camera styles – Cross-process, tilt-shift, photobooth, double exposure and more.
	Application that allows you to take as well as edit images.- Combine effects using non-destructive editing – Process at full camera resolution (up to 8mp if avail) – 20 Color FX: vintage, lomo, cinematic, funky, pencil… – 13 Frames: thin, rounded, lens, polaroid, filmreel… – 12 Distort FX: fisheye (like fxcamera), mosaic, twirl… – Create stunning collages: e.g. 2×2 passport style combination shots
	Take images with vivid colors and rich detail. High quality full resolution HDR!- Full resolution – Real HDR: exposure bracketing and tone mapping – HDR images fused and tone mapped on device within seconds – Hand shake compensation, no need to be rock-solid while shooting – You can control tone-mapping parameters: contrast, micro-contrast, color vividness, exposure – Save original exposure bracketed images
	Picplz is Androids current answer to Instagram. While the community is not as large as Instagram’s, it does offer a great experience.With it you can take a photo, apply image effects and then share the image with your friends.Another alternative is StreamZoo
	PicasaTool helps you to manage your Picasa web albums with simple yet powerful user interface designed specifically for Android powered smartphone. Google+ uses Picasa as its backbone for photos. This tool helps you manage your images on G+ as well. Offline web album, Picasa web album management, Photo editor(effects, redeye, contrast, draw…), Photo uploader, Multiple Google accounts login and more…
	Have some of your photography work stored on SmugMug? Then this application is for you. It allows you easily download your images from SmugMug to your phone or tablet, show off your photography work straight from the app, easily upload images to your SM account and more…
	TPE is a map-centric sun and moon calculator: see how the light will fall on the land, be it day or night, for almost anywhere on earth. Ideal for landscape, nature, travel and outdoor photographers, TPE’s map-based approach means you can search for any place name on the planet or position the map pin exactly where you want it. Advanced features include: automatic time zone and elevation detection, correction for atmospheric refraction and height above the horizon. You can even determine when the sun or moon will be visible from behind nearby hills and mountains.
	Predictor, tracker and seeker of Sun & Moon positions for any location and time!Sun Surveyor predicts Sun & Moon positions (azimuth, altitude, time) with its modules: 3D Compass, Map View, Camera View (Augmented Reality) and Details (Ephemeris). Sun Surveyor is useful for film and photo location scouting, solar panel positioning, gardening, real estate, Earth Science geekery, and more! Plan for every sunrise and sunset!
	Now you can have a virtual star chart in your pocket! Look through the eyes of your Android device* to see a virtual window into the whole visible universe.All you have to do is point your Android device* at the sky and Star Chart will tell you exactly what you are looking at. This is helpful with astro and night photography.A great FREE option is Google’s own Google Sky Map
	Depth of Field Calculator for Photographers. Calculates Hyperfocal Distance, Near Focus Limit, Far Focus limit, and Depth of Field(DOF).Supports most SLRs, DSLRs and Compact Cameras from Canon, Nikon, FujiFilm, Kodak, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Samsung, Sigma, Sony, Four Third System, 35mm Film, Medium Formats, and Large Formats.
	Allows you to access your Google Analytics stats from any Android mobile device.Great for checking in on your website while on the road.
	A great app that lets you view all necessary information about your wifi connect or those around you. Very handy when you are in a public area and are looking for a strong open wifi connection to use.
	AirDroid is a fast, free app that lets you wirelessly manage & control your Android device from a web browser Over-The-Air.This app allows you to transfer, organize and manage nearly everything that has to do with your Android device. As long as your desktop and Android device is connected to the same network, you can easily connect through any web browser.
	One of the best task managers on Android.It allows you to easily capture, organize, share and sync your to-do lists. Syncs with Google Calendar.
	Compare flights, hotels and rental cars, track flights, get cheap travel deals.Compare flight, hotel and car rental deals, Track your flight status, View and manage your trip itinerary, Look up baggage fees, Access airline numbers and airport info.Other great travel app options: Flight Track, WorldMate, Flight Aware.
	The first fully featured desktop browser from a mobile device. This is still in beta, but is very impressive so far.Features: Open and switch between unlimited tabs in an easy-to-view stack, Sign in to Chrome to sync your bookmarks and view tabs you have open on your computer, Send pages from desktop Chrome to your smartphone or tablet with one click and read them on the go, even if you’re offline, Browse privately in Incognito mode. Chome Beta is ICS ONLY currently.