5 Free Apps to Improve Your Nature Photos

A camera won't make you a better nature photographer and make your photos stand out. Lenses won't make you a better nature photographer, or even Photoshop . Knowledge makes the difference, and these nature apps will take you a long way in that regard.

5. Seek

With Seek, you can identify almost any animal or plant. All you have to do is take a photo and upload it; the app will give you information about what's in the photo. While that may not seem like a big deal with Google Lens and Visual Look Up already available on your phone, Seek focuses on giving you comprehensive information about plants and animals.

For example, the app provides complete taxonomic information, including scientific name, class, family, etc. While it is not necessary to know these details, people appreciate being able to use this opportunity to learn about the natural world. Then, when you see a similar species, you can connect the dots.

1. Download Seek for iOS | Android (Free)

4. Merlin Bird ID

If there's one thing that has dramatically improved my bird photography, it's Merlin. It's amazing, because many people think that their 120fps camera and 1.4x teleconverter will make a difference. And Merlin is completely free, so you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on expensive equipment.

Merlin is a super simple app that the whole family can enjoy; it uses sound recognition to help you identify nearby birds. Just start recording when you're in a park, nature area, or trail. The app will listen for sounds and list all the birds nearby. When you hear a particular bird, the app will flash its name. So you can learn to identify bird sounds in real time.

1. Download Merlin Bird ID iOS | Android (Free)

3. AllTrails

Unlike the other two apps, AllTrails doesn't give you groundbreaking new information. Instead, it helps you avoid getting lost on the trail. In the past, people would get caught up in taking photos of something while their group moved forward. It would be a few tense minutes until they found them or saw a trail marker.

With AllTrails, you can check out the trail ahead of time and start on the app before you hit the trail. Now, you never have to worry about being alone on the trail or getting lost. You know exactly where you are at all times. That peace of mind allows you to stop and focus on the beautiful nature around you.

1. Get AllTrails for iOS | Android (Free, subscription required)

2. eBird

eBird is a scientific app where all users add information about the birds they see to a database. Scientists then use this information for research. You can create a checklist and keep track of all the birds you have seen. In addition to making a list, you can use the app to find nearby birding hotspots.

Once you use Merlin, you won't feel the need for another birding app. As soon as someone adds a rare bird to their list in a particular location, you'll get an alert. Then, you drop everything you're doing, run to that location, and 'hunt' for that elusive bird.

Photographing birds is a slow and deliberate process, so don't get caught up in the competition to find rare birds, but enjoy the conversation that eBird creates. Check out the rare birds page to see what's going on in the community.

1. Download eBird for iOS | Android (Free)

1. iNaturalist

iNaturalist is the king of all nature apps. If you're living in a new country, you can rely on iNaturalist to help you learn about the creatures in your new location. Without it, you'd be completely lost - or completely lost.

The latest version has AI-powered tools that make learning more fun. Along with identifying species, the new iNaturalist provides a confidence level. It identified the Baltimore Oriole photo with a 79% confidence level.

The app also has a community discussion section where others can share their expertise. Someone once gave a mini lesson on the difference between a muskrat and a beaver right in the comments section.

1. Download iNaturalist for iOS | Android (Free)

As a new photographer, it's easy to think you need a million different pieces of equipment to get great results. There are many skills to learn, from cameras and lenses to lighting and composition. All of these are necessary, but a deep understanding of your subject is key to portraying them at their best.

So download one (or more!) of these apps to learn more about nature and improve your photography at the same time.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 24 June 2025