Old Generation Photo Apps for the iPad

Adobe Photoshop Touch

Adobe discontinued PS Touch in 2015

Adobe Photoshop Touch is a photo editor for the power user. Are you looking for the same functionality that you would typically get from a desktop app? If so, PS Touch is for you. What you will like most is the user interface. The icons and graphic layout is clean and easy to understand. You can add numerous adjustments and effects, control opacity, warp, crop images, and add layers. You can organize photos in folders and save your photos in jpg and png formats, or upload to Adobe Creative Cloud. This app is first class and must have for iPad users. Note: Adobe Photoshop Touch launched in late 2011, but was discontinued in May 2015. Adobe now has available an entire suite of applications that serve very specific functions (unlike PS Touch which more of an all-in-one solution.

Photogene by Omer Shoor

Photogene was one of the first iPad photo editing apps. This photo editor provided all the basic tools like cropping, retouching, and enhancements. The app also came with the ability to add text along with an array of export options. One of the later updates included the ability to combine photos into collages. Photogene was released in December of 2010 and offered at the price of $2.99. The app ceased to be developed after September 2014. Photogene was instrumental in defining the potential of what was possible with photo editing on iOS.

Snapseed by Nik Software
(Acquired by Google)

Snapseed is another award winning photo application for iOS. Snapseed's high ranking above other apps is largely attributed to its UI and the way it takes advantage of multi-touch gestures that are unique to the touchscreen interface. Without being limited to the exclusive use static buttons and tool bars, Snapseed relies on press, slide, and pull gestures to enact menu options and to apply filters and effects. The result is a unique iPad experience for augmenting photos that is unlike anything you will experience on apps that offer similar features. Snapseed, originally designed by Nik Software and launched in 2011, was purchased by Google

Color Splash by Pocket Pixels

Color Splash is one of the first original color splash apps to hit the app store. The app has gone through numerous iterations, since 1.0 was released in February 2009. Version 2.0.1 introduced one of its biggest updates with new editing tools to enhance your photos.

Color Splash is the most simple and direct way to selectively add color to your photograph. Capitalizing on the touch screen interface, your finger moves along the surface of the photograph to gradually bring out the color in the image. The app allows you to switch back and forth between color and gray modes as the user gradually defines and refines the colored areas. This can be done by selecting the tab menus at the top or double tapping on the screen with your finger. You can pinch and zoom to get greater detail and adjust the brush properties. There are a number of export options available, and there is even the option to send a postcard of your image. Color Splash was originally $0.99 in the App Store.