Must-Have Drone Photo & Video Apps of 2021
Written By: Shane Clark on September 7, 2021
While it is desirable to have top software for drone video editing, there are times when shorter drone videos and some aerial photos can be appropriately edited using a mobile phone. So whether you’re using a powerful Android phone or an iPhone, you can do some work while on the go, without having to use your Mac, PC, or any other larger device. These are my picks of must-have drone photo and video apps for this year for your edits.
So, what exactly defines something as one of the most outstanding picture or video editing apps? What must an app possess to make great edits? Firstly, it must be straightforward to use; after all, no one wants to spend hours sifting through menus searching for the correct next step or option. Edits must also be easy to do.
The app controls and features have to provide context and helpful suggestions to the user to maximize the app and create great videos and photos for social media, specifically. These mobile editing apps are designed so that you can generate image and video formats for Facebook, IG, and Twitter. That’s not a bad thing!
The best video and photo editing software for mobile should also include complete sets of tools for enhancing and fixing your raw drone footage and aerial photos. And finally, these apps should make sharing your photos with family and friends a breeze. After all, isn’t that why you downloaded them in the first place?
Check out my other helpful guides:
– Learn the secrets to great drone videos.
– Techniques for fantastic aerial shots.
– Make your drone videos finally stand out.
– How to begin aerial photography or drone videography project.
Mobile Photo Editing Apps
Snapseed
Snapseed is a powerful photo editor that easily rivals desktop photo editors in terms of capabilities and ease of use. It’s no Photoshop, but Snapseed is not a pushover editor, either.
This free picture editing app has a variety of preset filters, just as you’d expect. You may, however, alter these filters and even create your own, unlike similar programs or mobile editing apps.
Essential image editing tools like vignettes, texts, frames, straightening and cropping, and other traditional tools are also included. And the sharpening function does its work without making the image grainy!
After that, things start to get genuinely interesting.
Snapseed offers precise masking. This feature allows the user to adjust the image’s depth of field – photographers commonly use this to blur the backdrop and bring the subject into sharper focus. For aerial photographers, this feature is highly valued because modifying the depth of fields means you will be able to maximize even the not-so-perfect aerial photos you have.
There’s also a feature called “Selective Adjust.” Selective Adjust allows you to pick a precise photo area and change components such as brightness, contrast, and saturation.
Furthermore, the picture editing software maintains your edit history, allowing you to go back and make changes at any time.
VCSO
VSCO, like Instagram, utilizes the device itself (the camera) and combines it with editing capabilities while integrating almost seamlessly with social networks.
It’s all about the filters, though.
This free photo software has a collection of unique filters that will make your aerial photos appear to have been captured with a traditional film camera. Compared to many overly filtered image presets common in places like Instagram, VCSO’s gentle and delicate filters lend a sense of class to aerial photography. They can also be adjusted with easy slider controls.
The software, of course, includes all of the standard editing features, such as changes, vignettes, borders, and cropping. In addition, VSCO may also be used to tweak skin tones, exposure, contrast, and image temperatures.
After you’ve finished editing your photo, you may share it with the VSCO community or upload it to another social media platform. The app’s built-in sharing feature also allows you to send via WhatsApp and SMS too.
Mobile Video Editing Apps
LumaFusion
LumaFusion for iOS allows anyone to shoot and edit video quickly. Of course, since you will be importing from your drone, the shoot-from-the-app won’t be so helpful, but hey – keep the app for times that you do need to shoot with your phone.
This iPhone and iPad software, created by Pinnacle Studio, has six video/audio tracks for titles, graphics, aerial photos, and drone footage. Use these tracks for adding sound effects, music, and narration quickly.
With its magnetic timeline, the UI is very similar to what Final Cut Pro X offers. However, one of LumaFusion’s most notable features is that any effect and clip animation can be keyframed, allowing for precise changes in your project.
The most recent version increased the app’s already exceptional level of sophistication. The MultiCam Sync feature allowing you to sync and edit clips from several sound and video sources is the main attraction in this version. Furthermore, if you have the latest iPad Pro, you can use your Thunderbolt 4 port to get better speeds when uploading or downloading new media.
FilmoraGo
Wondershare’s FilmoraGo is a free software for iOS and Android that allows you to edit online HD videos with a minimal learning curve. In short, it’s perfect for people who don’t have a lot of time to learn new tech. FimoraGo may even assist newcomers. Thanks to its presets, filters, and film effects, this app is surprisingly nimble in making drone footage look professional.
Although some in-app purchases, like effects, tunes, and other templates, are available, your drone videos will do just fine without these. Just be a little creative while using FilmoraGo!
Yes, there are ads in the app’s free version, but they aren’t bothersome if you don’t want to pay to have them automatically removed. While it’s an essential app with limited features (no multi-track editing or 4K support, for example), it’s still one of the best editing tools available. However, it should be noted that it is only available on iOS for iPhones, not iPads.
Summary:
Editing aerial photographs and drone videos is not easy. While mobile editing apps can assist you with some social media posts, they won’t be enough for drone video marketing. Contact me today for professional drone video editing services.
