Free Apps for Editing Photos on the iPad

It only takes a quick look through the App Store to know that Photo editing software for on-the-go devices was already a big deal. There are tens of thousands of photography programs for the iPhone and original iPad, but the built-in camera of the iPad 2 is causing a new revival of photo apps for editing, enhancing and sharing pictures.

Yes, the iPad, a device that can be carried anywhere and used to edit a photo library on a beautiful display, now can also take the pictures. This addition makes it into a self-contained portable photography studio. Even a professional photographer may find the iPad to be a worthy supplement to a desktop editing studio, and its touch interface is perfectly suited for this kind of work.

Another reason people love using the device for photography is that the iPad's wireless connectivity allows finished photos to be published directly to websites and social networks, often with little more than a tap of the screen.

Many developers, from enterprising independent studios to the software behemoth Adobe, have recognized the need for great photography applications for mobile devices and there are some truly excellent apps available for touching up photos on an iPad. You don't even need to spend a lot of money to have great-looking pics.

In fact, here's a look at some amazing apps for editing photos on the iPad that are available for free!

Adobe Photoshop Express is available in a version for the iPad. This is a simpler, more basic app than one might expect from something that carries the "Photoshop" name. Basic functions such as cropping, rotation, and color adjustment are provided, and it includes a variety of filters. It also enables easy posting to Photoshop.com, Twitter, and Facebook, and multitasking support allows uploads to take place in the background. An add-on pack of effects, available as an in-app purchase, includes a self-timer.

Get Adobe Photoshop Express in the App Store.

Every photographer knows that not all shots come out well, but that some can be rescued with a little retouching. When the problem is a poor exposure, Auto Adjust is the answer. It performs normalization, allowing adjustment of saturation and gamma to correct for poor light levels. While it can be used to compensate for problems with flash, it is also useful as a special effect. Auto Adjust is particularly noted for its ability to produce a high-quality, low-noise result.

Get the Auto Adjust in the App Store.

Color Effects is what the name implies: an app for manipulating the color of photos. It allows the user to change a color, or completely remove it from a picture. It can be used to colorize a black-and-white picture, and vice-versa. It also has painting features, with adjustable brushes. Facebook integration allows photos to be imported from and posted to that network. The app even has its own Facebook wall, where users can post their creations.

Get Color Effects for iPad in the App Store.

Put simply, Live FX Lite allows effects to be applied to photographs. Its trick is that these effects can be stacked and combined, and then saved as new effects that can be used again. The result can be previewed on the iPad, and then saved, emailed, or posted online. When a new effect is created, a code is generated which can be sent via email. Unlike the full version, Live FX Lite displays ads, and doesn't allow photos to be saved at full resolution.

Get Live FX Lite in the App Store.