Big Lens for iOS

Big Lens is an image-editing app with a unique interface for adding effects and manipulating focus in your images. You start by snapping a picture or importing one from your photo library, then use touch-screen controls to set the aperture, change periphery blur levels, and adjust background light to create a bokeh effect. What's interesting about the app is that you have the ability to draw where you want focus or blur effects.

You start by drawing over the part of the image you want in focus, then hitting the arrow in the upper right to apply the effect. If your focused area is too large, you also can draw with the blur tool to fine-tune your image so only the subject is in focus. From there you can choose from several different filters like Red Sepia, Black & White, and Flare effects to give the overall image a different feel. As you make changes, you can always hit the Compare button in the lower right to instantly show the original image.

Another neat feature is the option to change lens types that affect points of light in the image. You can choose a snowflakelike lens to show background light as snowflakes, or the heart lens to replace flare points with hearts. These extras can add to the overall theme of your image and produce a nice effect not found in other apps in this category.

When you're finished, the app offers options to save the image to your camera roll, send it via e-mail, or share it via Facebook, Picasa, or Dropbox.

Big Lens doesn't have as many effects as other apps in this genre, but its unique set of touch-screen tools and interesting aperture and lens effects make it a great choice for those who like to play with their pictures.