Edits & Effects Basics

Options & Originals

Locations & Limitations

Apple & Android

Before you start experimenting, take a minute to see what choices are available, how to find the edit buttons and what happens to the originals.

Exploring the Possibilities

A Simple List of Options

Here’s a list of common photo editing options available on most smartphones. These are applied after the photo has been taken, allowing you to enhance, correct, or transform your images with just a few taps.

Apple

iPhone - Photos app

• ✨ Auto-Enhance – One-tap improvement for brightness, contrast, and color

• 🌡️ Exposure, Brilliance & Highlights – Fine-tune light and detail

• 🎨 Shadows, Contrast, Brightness – Adjust the mood and tone

• 🌈 Saturation & Vibrance – Boost or tone down color

• 🖌️ Warmth & Tint – Correct color temperature and mood

• 📐 Sharpness & Definition – Add clarity and texture

• 📏 Noise Reduction – Smooth out grain in low-light images

• 🎚️ Vignette – Darken edges for a focused effect

• 🔄 Crop & Straighten – Reframe and level your photo

• 🔁 Flip & Rotate – Adjust orientation

• 🎞️ Filters – Apply built-in looks like “Vivid” or “Dramatic”

Android

(Google Photos or native Gallery/Photos app):
(Note: Some features may vary slightly by phone brand like Samsung, Pixel, etc.)

• ✨ Auto – One-tap enhancement for light and color

• 💡 Brightness, Contrast & Highlights – Adjust lighting balance

• 🌓 Shadows & Whites/Blacks – Refine depth and detail

• 🎨 Saturation, Warmth & Tint – Modify color and tone

• 🖼️ Pop (on some Android phones) – Enhances subject edges for more impact

• 🖌️ Sharpness & Clarity – Improve detail and texture

• 🧹 Denoise – Reduce grain in low-light photos

• 📐 Crop, Rotate & Straighten – Reframe or fix angles

• 🔄 Flip & Skew – Adjust perspective

• 🎭 Filters/Looks – Apply stylized effects or moods

Now that you know where to begin and what options you have available, let’s explore each one for Apple and Android alike!

Locating the Editing Tools

Paths Can Vary

📱 Apple (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Photos app.

2. Tap the photo you want to edit.

3. Tap the pencil icon (Edit) in the top right.

🤖 Android (varies slightly by phone, e.g., Samsung, Google Pixel):

1. Open the Gallery or Photos app.

2. Tap the photo.

3. Tap the edit icon (usually three sliders or a pencil).

What about the Original?

Edit Fearlessly

Many people hesitate to explore the possibilities in fear of losing the original image. There are slight differences as to how you can preserve the original and/or whether that occurs automatically. It varies by phone type as show below.

• Apple:
  By default, edits are non-destructive. You can always revert to the original. To keep multiple versions:

  • Tap Done > then tap the three dots (...) > Duplicate to save a copy before editing.

  • Alternatively, “Save as Copy” is available for some formats.

• Android:
  Behavior varies:

  • Samsung: When you select “Done” the option to Save is shown, hit the three dots to see the option to "Save as Copy" when exiting editing. The option to “Revert to Original” exists if you forget to save a copy.

  • Google Photos: Automatically saves over the original unless you choose “Save copy.”

💾 Always look for "Save copy" if you want to preserve your original photo.

Editing Tool Limitations

Your Phone vs. Advanced Tools

You don’t need expensive software to make your photos shine—your phone likely has everything you need. Built-in editing tools on iPhones and Android devices let you crop, straighten, adjust exposure, tweak color, and even apply filters with just a few taps. Apps like Snapseed, Lightroom Mobile, and VSCO offer even more control, allowing for selective edits, healing tools, and professional-level enhancements—all from your fingertips.

For those who want to go deeper, programs like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom on desktop offer unmatched control and precision. These tools are ideal for advanced retouching, layering, or detailed object removal. But for the average person capturing everyday moments, that level of complexity usually isn’t necessary. If you find yourself needing something more advanced for one or two images, you can always reach out to experts online and pay a one time fee for an enhancement. Websites like Fiverr.com have brilliant artists from around the world just waiting to help with your project - rates are very affordable and no project is too small.

Let’s Get Started!

Great job starting at the beginning. Now that you know the basics, please enjoy the information for each category by returning to the Edits & Effects Home Page.