If there’s one thing we all like to do with our phones it is to snap a photo or two to capture the moment. A year ago a study showed that over a quarter of all photos are taken using smartphones, and a quarter of 3.5 billion snaps is a lot of snaps! That said, sometimes we all like to play with the results, and that’s where these apps come in.

Phototastic

Cost: Free in the Marketplace
Availability: Everywhere
In a nutshell: Add filters, make collages

By far the best use of Phototastic that I have found so far is the ability to make a quick montage of a few snaps in your media library and publish directly to Facebook (Twitter and others require the app to be purchased). As Ewan says in his review on AllAboutWindowsPhone Phototastic

‘does something really artistic, but makes it simple’

…and I can’t disagree. The only thing I’d addis that it is worth spending a few extra seconds cropping and positioning a photo in the montage before publishing. My first effort was less than stellar. But that’s my fault, not the app. Ewan’s concluding sentence sums up te app very neatly

‘Definitely worth a look, especially if you are a big shutterbug looking to share photos in a unique way while staying mobile.’

What do you think?

Fhotoroom

Cost: Free in the Marketplace
Availability: Everywhere
In a nutshell: Filter that Fhoto

Despite the questionable spelling throughout the app (don’t get me started), Fhotoroom has received a ‘quite significant’ update since first release, and as Thomas says in his wmpoweruser review, is now

‘clearly focused on enabling users to get better shots’

Which brings me to the crux of the matter – this app aims to allow a user to not only improve the photo once taken, but to improve the capture experience and make the process seamless from snap to share.

Lomogram

Cost: Free in the Marketplace
Availability: Everywhere
In a nutshell: Insta-what?

All filters, all the time – Lomogram is, yes, the

‘next best thing to an actual instagram app’

(that comment from ‘Smiling’ in the review section for the app). In fact, the review on ibuymobile mentions that this app goes beyond just filters and introduces

‘a vast number of lighting effects that really change the mood of a photo’

So there you go. Instagram+.

Which photo manipulation apps do you prefer? Or do you like to share your snaps as you took them, without any filters or twiddles? I’d like to know (I’m curious as to the percentage who tweak compared to those who don’t), so let me know in the comments or on Twitter.

[Image credit: The Nokia Blog]