The impressiveness of long exposure photography is undeniable. The ability to capture light trails, smooth out moving water, or make moving objects disappear offers you creative and unique imagery. While DSLRs have long been the go-to for long exposure shots, there’s a hierarchy of mobile camera apps that can give you comparable results. Among this list, we have inclusive mobile camera apps that are perfect for spontaneous snaps and meticulously planned shoots, offering you a range of options to choose from, whether you’re shooting a twilight cityscape or a starry night.
- Slow Shutter Cam
Slow Shutter Cam is often revered as the best IOS app for long exposures. It provides three capture modes—Motion Blur, Light Trail, and Low Light—which means you can seamlessly capture a variety of long exposure shots. The Light Trail mode is exceptional for creating light streaks during the night, while the Motion Blur mode is perfect for softening waterfalls or clouds’ motion. Plus, it has robust editing capabilities including sophisticated tools for adjusting exposure, contrast, saturation, tint, and color temperature. Slow Shutter Cam’s only drawback is it’s only available for iOS devices.
- NightCap Camera
NightCap Camera is an exceptional long exposure app for iPhone, primarily lauded for its proficiency in low-light photography. Its Long Exposure mode employs AI to automatically adjust lighting and accurately captures moving light sources. Stellar modes like Star Mode, Meteor Mode, and ISS Mode are explicitly designed for capturing stars, meteor showers, and the International Space Station, providing high-quality photos with little noise. However, its availability is restricted to iOS devices.
- Spectre Camera
Spectre, by the creators of Halide—another renowned camera app, takes automated long exposure to another level. This iOS-only app relies on AI to make your long exposure shooting as easy as possible. With it, you can freeze water, create light trails, and remove crowds in a breeze. It even boasts stabilized multi-exposure shots and exports images as Live Photos, which lets you tap and hold the image to revive your original shot while inspecting your long exposure image.
- LongExpo Pro
As one of the best Android long exposure apps, LongExpo Pro adds long exposure capabilities to any Android smartphone. It features automatic and manual modes, allowing you the flexibility to either let the app take control or tweak the exposure time yourself. It’s user-friendly, and its timer feature is invaluable when waiting for the perfect lighting conditions. Unfortunately, it lacks the specialized modes of its iOS counterparts.
- Bluristic
If you’re looking to capture light trails on your iPhone or Android, Bluristic is your top choice. Its innovative tracking system follows moving objects, resulting in remarkable light trails. Additionally, its intuitive interface allows real-time monitoring of your exposure, so you can make adjustments as needed. Although it’s excellent for tracking light trails, it lacks the versatility found in other long exposure apps.
- Camera FV-5 Lite
Available for Android users, Camera FV-5 Lite offers the DSLR-like manual controls needed for long exposure photography. Exposure can be manually adjusted up to 30 seconds, and the app’s DSLR-like viewfinder displays useful reading like exposure time. The Lite version is free, but for an uninterrupted experience, the full version is recommended.
- ProCam 8
ProCam 8 is an iOS app that furnishes long exposure photography with an added layer of manual control. With 3D photo support, video focus peaking, and true RAW editing, it’s ideal for those willing to spend time learning its intricacies. Its long exposure mode can capture exposures of up to 30 seconds, allowing for stunning long exposure images.
- Adobe Lightroom CC
Adobe Lightroom CC, available for both Android and iOS, includes a camera mode with professional-level controls. Its Pro Mode lets you set a long shutter speed alongside control over ISO, focus, and white balance. After capturing your image, you have access to all the powerful editing features Adobe Lightroom CC provides, making it a comprehensive choice for shooting and editing long exposure photos.
Each of these apps has its unique advantages and potential downsides, considering the specific user needs. Whether you are an iOS or Android user, beginner, or professional photographer, the range, flexibility, and sophistication that these apps offer will satisfy your long exposure photography requirements. Equipped with one or more, rest assured that your long exposure shots will be eye-catching, exciting, and professional. To maximize the use of these apps and ensure the best results, consider understanding your device’s capabilities as well as each app’s optimal settings. With the right tools and a bit of practice, you’re well on your way to creating stunning long exposure photographs.
