While a camera is important, I’d be an awful photographer without some of the apps I use. Many of these photo-editing apps are well-known, but some unsung heroes deserve more recognition.
1
Adobe Bridge
Adobe Bridge is my favorite way to organize pictures on my computer. I use it for images taken with both my smartphone and full-frame camera. The app makes removing unwanted photos from hard drives and devices easier than manually doing so via a touchscreen. Another benefit is that I can use star ratings to categorize my images.
Adobe Bridge lets me reject pictures before removing them. The filter allows me to delete specific pictures without touching anything else. The tool also allows me to create custom workflows and works with Adobe apps like Photoshop.
After four years of using Fujifilm, I switched back to a Nikon camera in early 2025. Subsequently, I also returned to Nikon Image Space, and remembered how much I enjoy this app. I can quickly transfer files from my camera to my smartphone, allowing for easy sharing on social media or simple edits.
Though I now use the Nikon version, every camera manufacturer has a similar app. The process usually involves signing up for an account and registering your camera. Some, however, function better than others; I have fewer problems with Nikon Image Space than with the Fujifilm equivalent.
Okay, I know that Adobe Lightroom isn’t technically underrated. However, I do think that it’s better than every other photo editing app. Since it’s such an important part of my photography and editing workflow, I had to mention it in this list.
Lightroom Classic and CC are both excellent tools. I predominantly use CC because it’s available on desktop and mobile, meaning that I can continue making adjustments while on the move. Organizing photos via albums and other features is also, in my opinion, easier than CC.
While you need to pay for Adobe Lightroom, it’s worth every penny. I would happily pay 10 times its current price if I needed to.
Adobe Express is often overlooked in favor of Canva, but to completely ignore the app is unfair. It’s one of my favorite ways to resize images for social media, with pre-made templates for Pinterest and Instagram. Adobe Express has plenty of quick actions to help build a more efficient workflow, too.
While I mainly use Adobe Express to prepare my images for online sharing, it’s also fantastic for making basic edits—especially with smartphone photos. For example, the tool has a background removal feature. Thanks to Adobe Firefly, you can even generate images in the app. In my opinion, the generator is better than many of its alternatives.
I have the premium version of Adobe Express, but the free edition will do just as good of a job for most people.
Unscripted was the first photoshoot-planning app that I used, and to this day, I still haven’t found anything that comes close. The tool has plenty of helpful features, such as posing suggestions for portrait photography. My favorite feature is the Sun Tracker tool, which also tells me when it’s blue and golden hour. As a result, I can get the right lighting in my shots.
Besides planning photoshoots, Unscripted is a great tool for learning more about photography. It has several resources, in addition to the option to create galleries. Though mainly geared toward professionals, amateurs will find Unscripted just as useful.
Picking the right accompanying apps has helped me become a better photographer. I can share pictures more easily, learn about the craft, and organize my images better. I’ve used all of these tools with a smartphone and full-frame camera pictures; they’re incredibly versatile.
