For what better use was the iPad created than image manipulation? While some use it to browse the internet in all its full-color, hi-rez glory and others use it to play video games or watch streaming movies on the go, the quintessential tablet is clearly designed to handle an image-heavy load. Along these lines, it also makes for a handy photo editor, assuming that you’ve downloaded the right software. And one of the latest and greatest applications to hit the market in this genre is Photoshop Touch, which could most adequately be described as a slightly smaller version of the behemoth Adobe product you’ve come to know and love through years of use on your home computer. Of course, this product is also available on the iPhone, but the larger screen size and the retinal display of the iPad were made for just this purpose. And when the visual prowess of the iPad is combined with the many tools Photoshop has to offer, users won’t be able to tear themselves away from the creative possibilities.

Although this app will set you back by $9.99, which signifies a pretty big commitment in the app-sphere, it is customized for use on the iPad, so you’ll find features like selection tools and adjustments geared to touch-pad usage, as well as the layers, filters, stamps, and corrective tools you’ve come to expect from the folks at Adobe. But of course, there is some functionality that’s specific to your mobile devices. It’s a good idea to start with the handy tutorial; even those familiar with Adobe products will want to learn the ins and outs of this app in order to make the most of their purchase and get to the fun of editing their favorite pics.

From there you can begin uploading images from your camera or cloud storage (you get 2GB with Adobe Creative Cloud when you download the app), or you can connect to a Google image search to find what you’re looking for, or even peruse the Photoshop gallery for inspiration and options. Once you import your photo the sky is the limit. For one thing, you can layer to your hearts’ delight, taking snippets of pictures and graphics to create a one-of-a-kind finished product. And thanks to the camera on your iPad you can take advantage of the “fill” feature to refine layers of your project. For example, if you ended up with a vacation photo in which someone was blinking, all you have to do is take another photo of the person after the fact to replace his eyes or his whole face, keeping the rest of the photo intact. You can also scribble to remove parts you don’t like and refine edges (like stray hairs).

Of course, once you’ve created your masterpiece you’ll want to share it with others. And thanks to integration with Facebook and Twitter, sharing is a snap. You can also make prints of your projects wirelessly via AirPrint so you can frame copies of favorites to put on your mantle or send to family and friends. You could even create an online photo album book with your finished Photoshop Touch creations. If you’re looking for a photo editor for your iPad that does it all, you can’t go wrong with this Adobe product. And although it will set you back ten bucks, you’re bound to get your money’s worth if you love to transform your average photo into a work of art.