I didn't know my phone could do this until I switched to a different camera app

Smartphone camera apps use post-processing and high dynamic range to make your photos pop. The vibrant colors, heavy contrast, and high brightness might not accurately represent what your eyes are seeing, but they're perfect for social media sharing. I never liked the unnatural look of smartphone computational photography processes or HDR mode, and it has led me down the rabbit hole of specialty and minimalist camera apps. My phone camera can't mimic the soothing grain of iconic film types, but a little-known photography app from Google can.

It's called Snapseed, and it laid dormant for years before receiving a massive version 4.0 update recently. Snapseed is available for both Android and iOS, and it's completely free. The app started as a mobile photo editor similar to Lightroom, but without some of the pro tools offered by Adobe's app. Now, it's a full-blown camera app that can apply filter styles and visual effects to photos as you take them. The photo editing tools are still there. Only now, you don't have to take a photo using another camera app before launching Snapseed. It's a catch-all solution for mobile photographers wanting something different than their default camera app.

Snapseed isn't just a photo editor anymore

This is a complete camera app designed for nostalgia lovers

Snapseed started as a photo editing app, and that identity is still found in the latest version of the app. Google didn't just add a native camera to Snapseed, it also expanded the app's crop of editing tools. The highlights include a batch editing feature that makes it possible to apply your tweaks to an entire group of photos at once. This is ideal for editing images in bulk that require the same color and brightness adjustments. The app also uses a non-destructive editing process that preserves the original copy of a photo in case you need to revert the changes later.

Smart Masking is another new editing tool that isolates subjects or backgrounds automatically with a single tap. This helps you apply adjustments to specific parts of an image without painstakingly selecting the area you need to edit.

In all, there are more than 30 editing tools to help you adjust your photos after the initial shot. That includes the following new or upgraded options: Dehaze, Color, Portrait, Crop, Grainy Film, Bloom, Halation. The tools are organized by their functionality; you can use the All tab to view everything at once, or sort the tools by Refine, Fix, or Style. After using the editing tools or applying filters, you can export the image as JPG or PNG. Crucially, you can manually adjust the EXIF data to remove GPS, camera, or settings information if you'd like.

The big upgrade is the addition of the Snapseed Camera. This feature brings a camera and viewfinder to the Snapseed app for taking photos with color and style adjustments applied in real time. It looks basic at first, but there are a slew of controls hidden away. Tapping the PRO button in the top-right corner of the app reveals buttons and sliders for manual ISO, shutter speed, and focus control.

There are six color themes to choose from in the viewfinder: Editor, Dusk, Negative, Steel, Haze, and Depth. Finally, there are the real-time film styles that adjust the vibe of your photos as they're being captured.

Snapseed's filters imitate real film types

Kodak, Fuji, Polaroid, Technicolor — their famous rolls are here

Snapseed Camera elevates your mobile photography experience by imitating the look of film cameras. This approach isn't for everyone, as some believe that if you want the look of a film camera, you should use a film camera. However, shooting with film cameras is an expensive and time-consuming process, and that's why I enjoy shooting with digital apps that try to replicate the grainy look of authentic film. You can capture photos with Snapseed without applying a filter, but the fun begins when you pick one of the 11 film styles:

• KP1 400: Inspired by Kodak Portra 400
• KP2 160: Inspired by Kodak Portra 160
• KG1 200: Inspired by Kodak Gold 200
• KE1 E200: Inspired by Kodak E200
• FS1 200: Inspired by Fuji Superia 200
• FS2 800: Inspired by Fuji Superia 800
• FP1 400h: Inspired by Fuji Pro 400h
• AG1 200: Inspired by Agfa Optima 200
• AS1 200: Inspired by Agfa Scala 200
• PD1 600: Inspired by Polaroid 600
• TC1: Inspired by Technicolor

As you can see, they're all inspired by an iconic roll of real film. You can shoot in styles that match the look of Kodak, Fuji, Afga, Polaroid, or Technicolor film. It's a more versatile (and affordable) way of capturing nostalgic photos than buying each of the above film types and shooting the old-fashioned way. As you scroll through the list of film styles, you can tap to learn more about each one.

The reason you'll want to shoot with the Snapseed Camera instead of making edits later is the real-time viewfinder rendering. After selecting a film style, the style and strength of the film is rendered in the viewfinder. This means you can get an idea of how a shot will look after the rendering process before you press the shutter. Certain aspects of the filter, including the grain, grain size, and grain texture, won't be rendered until after you capture the photo.

Take a break from vibrant HDR photos

When your photos aren't lifelike, Snapseed is the solution

The search for a photography solution that feels more intentional than your default smartphone camera app doesn't have to end with purchasing a specialty camera, like the Fuji X Half. It also doesn't have to end with paying for a fancy camera or photo editing app. Snapseed can be the completely free solution, as it doesn't come with ads, subscriptions, or watermarks.

Following a long-overdue update, Snapseed is once again one of the most fun ways to take photos on iOS and Android. It turns your phone camera into a film-like camera, and it's something I didn't know my smartphone could do for free.