Photo Organizing Software Remove Duplicates

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Are you looking for the best photo management app for your photography business? We’ll take you through the best photo management software for Mac and Windows.

Photo Organizer scans entire system or specific folders to find scattered digital images and organize them smartly in a single location or folder, based on metadata. Maintain all photos in one location. Remove duplicates. ACDSee is an easy to understand photo organizer which can even find and delete duplicate images. The software supports 86 different file formats like RAW, TIFF, JPG, and PSD. The editing functions of the. ImageRanger shows you the number of duplicated images and lets you remove redundant content.

As a professional photographer, you probably take hundreds if not thousands of photos every time you shoot. But how do you store and keep track of all of those photos, as well as share them with clients, and keep your intellectual property safe? To answer these questions, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite photo manager apps and broken down what makes each of them unique, so that you can choose the best photo management software for your photography business.

Before You Get Started

The right photo management software will free up valuable time and effort so that you can focus your attention where it actually needs to be: on developing your skills and turning your side hustle into a profitable business. One way to impress potential clients is by showcasing your work and offering quick, easy purchasing options, so set up your portfolio alongside an online store to turn website viewers into paying customers.

Best Photo Management Software

Adobe Bridge CC

Adobe Bridge CC is an ideal photo management software for users of other Adobe Creative Cloud programs like Photoshop or Illustrator. Adobe Bridge is free with the purchase of another Adobe program, and the interface will be easy to figure out for those experienced in using Adobe products. You are able to import photos (along with their thumbnails and metadata) directly from your camera, card reader or mobile device, with the ability to bulk import, export and preview images. Then, save valuable time by editing photos in batches, creating a unifying color scheme throughout one group of photos. Add a watermark to protect your work and promote your business before uploading to Adobe Stock, where you can earn royalties from your stock photography.

CyberLink PhotoDirector 10

CyberLink PhotoDirector 10 is a great option for a photo management software that works on multiple operating systems and with a variety of common file types including RAW image files. This photo manager has a simple interface that makes it easy to learn how to operate, so you won’t waste time getting bogged down in the details of learning an entirely new program. In terms of organizing your photo and video files, you can tag and search by keyword, date, color, location, and faces you’ve tagged. You can also create slideshows from your photos, complete with background music, transitions and effects, and then share them directly to Youtube.

Along with its photo management software, PhotoDirector 10 also has an extensive set of photo editing tools, from simple to more complex details. If you’re new to editing photos or you just don’t have the time to edit your photos right away, PhotoDirector 10’s automatic adjustment options will provide a great start that you can build off of later on. On the more advanced side, this software also had options for cosmetic retouching, like removing wrinkles or blemishes, fixing red eyes, whitening teeth, and there’s even a tool for reshaping bodies.

Duplicates

On the downside, this photo manager doesn’t automatically recognize and sort images by the people in them, so you’ll have to tag those individually if you want to organize your photos that way. However, PhotoDirector 10 offers a pretty cool feature called Video to Photo Face Swap, which is designed for getting a perfect group photo even when one or more of your group may be blinking. With this technology, you can grab a photo directly from a video, and then swap a face in the frame you chose for a different frame where your subject is smiling. This can come in handy especially for wedding photography, when you really need every single detail to be perfect for your client.

Other cool editing features include the ability to create a seamless panoramic image by selecting multiple photos through HDR imaging. If you have video footage, you can create multi-exposure photos, or use the Vibrant Motion Stills feature to create a cinemagraph, where only one part of the video moves. For photographers working with 360° photos, you’ll be able to edit those as well as create panoramas from them. Remove poor weather conditions like smog or haze with the Dehaze slider, and remove unwanted objects in just a few simple clicks. You can even do graphic design work using this photo manager’s advanced layer editing to combine images, text and graphics and create captivating content.

You’ll also be able to connect your camera to your computer while you’re shooting, and then immediately view and edit your images on your desktop. Perhaps the most compelling feature of all, Soft Proofing allows you to see how your images will print so you can make the necessary adjustments before you spend time and money getting things printed. As well as these features, you received 25 GBs of online storage completely free, and you’ll receive reminders to back up your work from the app. You can access this online from multiple devices, and there are phone apps for both Android and iOs operating systems. If that isn’t enough, there’s also an active online community of users where you can ask questions about the photo management software or even get feedback on your photography.

Unlike some other photo management apps, there is no password protection with PhotoDirector 10, and you won’t be able to burn photos or slideshows directly to a CD or DVD. Plans for PhotoDirector 10 start at only $3.67/month, making it an affordable option for beginners and professional photographers alike.

Magix Photo Manager Deluxe

Magix Photo Manager Deluxe is another powerful image editor and photo manager. Its simple user interface makes it a good choice for photographers at any stage in their career. Magix is compatible with all convention photo and video formats including RAW photos and AVCHD videos, and it uses layers, meaning you can create complex designs easily. When you edit your photos, you won’t have to worry about losing the original version, because Magix automatically creates a copy when you begin editing.

Users are able to import images from a variety of online cloud services as well as scanners and cameras, so you can see all of your photos in one place, regardless of where you’ve stored them in the past. The app can also access camera metadata so you can know exactly what settings were used in capturing each photo – a wonderful tool if you need to recreate a particular look or effect. You can organize your photos and videos by tagging them with keywords, location, color labels, star ratings and faces. This photo manager offers basic photo editing capabilities like color correction, auto-enhancing and image sharpening, but experienced editors may require a more robust set of tools.

Create a customized slideshow with transition effects and background music, which you can then share directly to Youtube, or burn photos and slideshows to CDs or DVDs. The Selection Wizard will analyze your library of images and automatically sort out duplicates and low quality or blurry photos. Using a combination of up to eight images, you can create a panorama that will be automatically aligned and blended into one unified image. If you’re overwhelmed by all the different capabilities on offer, don’t worry: Magix has a library of tutorial videos online that will help you navigate its photo management software and make the most of your investment. Professional photographers who work with clients will appreciate how password protection enables only people with permission to view different files and folders.

ACDSee Photo Studio Professional 2019

ACDSee emphasizes security, whether through the ability to lock folders and individual files with password protection (ideal for sharing photo proofs with clients) or the ability to create and add a custom watermark to your photos. Purchase of this photo management software includes limited online storage, with extra available at an additional cost. ACDSee supports multiple file types including RAW and offers high-quality editing software, with tools like object removal and cosmetic adjustments available. Organize your photos by keyword, rating, date, color, location, or faces, or create and assign custom categories that make the most sense for you.

Photo Management Software for Mac

Apple Photos

If you’re a Mac user who hasn’t given Apple Photos a chance, it should definitely be your first stop in the search for the best photo management software for Mac. There is no simpler option that Apple Photos: it already comes installed on your computer and any other Apple devices, and the desktop version opens automatically when you connect your phone or tablet to your computer. Better yet, it’s completely free.

Photos will create slideshows of your Memories without your intervention based on location or time, which you can easily share with other Mac users, who will be able to access your shared folder directly through their Apple device. Scene and object recognition allows you to search your photos by objects, like beach, apple, or tree, or to combine search terms to find the exact photo you’re looking for. Through Live photos, this photo manager will suggest which videos to turn into loops, reverse or long exposure based on the app’s algorithms. Apple Photos also has standard photo editing capabilities and it is compatible with RAW photo files.

MacPaw Gemini 2

MacPaw Gemini 2 is a very specific photo management software that focuses on locating and comparing similar and duplicate photos in order to recover valuable space on your Mac. As a photographer, you probably sometimes find that you have tens or hundreds of photos of the exact same scene from slightly different angles. How many of these angles are you really going to use? Once your duplicates are all in one place, you can hand pick which files to delete and which to save, or rely on Gemini 2’s Smart Select, which will automatically choose and delete the files it thinks you don’t really need.

The program’s algorithms can determine which files are originals and which are copies so it knows which files to keep, and deletes the rest. The algorithm will also learn from observing your actions and behavior over time and amend its practices as a result. If you do allow Gemini 2 to take the reins and delete duplicates using Smart Select, you can always rescue accidental deletes from the trash – nothing will be deleted permanently unless you empty your deleted items folder. Although this photo manager is lacking in some of the more advanced photo editing and management capabilities, it is a useful preliminary step in your quest to organize your photos (and clear up hard drive space while you’re at it).

Photo Management Software for Windows 10

Corel PaintShop Pro 2019

If you want the best photo manager for Windows 10, Corel PaintShop Pro 2019 is definitely up there. This windows photo management software provides powerful photo editing with simple and advanced enhancements, as well as a range of organizational tools perfect for the busy photographer on the go. Take your pick from the Essential or Complete interfaces: Essential provides only basic editing tools, while Complete includes photo editing and organizing. Color manipulation, HDR images and object removal are just a few of the capabilities available through this app, which can be used on your Android tablet as well as your Windows desktop. The photo management software supports all of the main photo types, including RAW, JPEG, PSD, TIFF, GIF and PNG, so no matter what format you like to work in, Corel has you covered.

Sort your photos using keywords, ratings, dates, faces, and location – unlike some other photo management software, with this photo manager you are not able to sort photos by color. The app comes with free online storage, although there is no password protection available. Users will receive regular reminders to back up your files so in the event of an emergency all of your hard work and effort stays protected. Although you cannot create slideshows or burn images directly to a CD, Corel PaintShop does allow you to share photos directly to a variety of social media websites. The creative presets use artificial intelligence to anticipate your photo editing and management needs. This is a photo management software designed for photographers by photographers, making it a great option for Windows users.

Phototheca 2

Phototheca is a photo management software that combines a few of the features we’ve seen in other options all in one place. Not only does it automatically identify and collect duplicate images for you to review, it also populates smart albums automatically when you set specifications. You can organize your images by theme, location, event and more, and then share to Flickr, Google Photos, Facebook or Twitter, or email photos to a client directly through the app.

If you use multiple cameras in your business, Phototheca can organize your files based on the camera used to take the photos. Import photos and their metadata easily from your computer, cell phone, tablet, HD cards, external hard drive and more. Multiple RAW camera formats are supported, as well as a number of video formats. Unique additional actions are also available, like the ability to fix incorrect time stamps. The calendar view provides a visual representation of your photography over time, so you can find exactly what you’re searching for as well as visualize your progress and work over the years and months. Password protection is available and Phototheca is a free photo manager. Commercial use, unlimited photo library and more features are available when you upgrade to Phototheca Pro.

Fresh View

Fresh View is another windows photo management software that is completely free. It supports multiple media formats, including video, photo and audio all in one convenient location. Features include the ability to convert graphics from one type to another, print, and create HTML albums. There are currently 86 media file formats supported by Fresh View, with more being added regularly. Visually, the interface comes across as a bit outdated compared to some of the other photography management software on this list, and there is no online storage available, so you’ll need to connect to a separate cloud storage to save your files online.

Best Free Photo Management Software

Google Photos

Google Photos is a free photo management software included in the Google Suite, making it a good option for those familiar with Google products and services. This photo manager is compatible with both photos and videos, and it automatically uploads to a linked cloud storage. You get unlimited free storage for high-quality images with reduced file sizes, or 12 GBs of free storage if you choose to upload the full resolution images. Additional storage is available for a fee. Google Photos connects to Google Drive and allows you to provide a shareable link with customizable options, so you can have complete control over what changes and additions, if any, viewers are allowed to make. You can even order photo albums of the images you uploaded directly through the Google Photos app, making printing your images super simple and straightforward. Share albums with family, friends or clients through Facebook, Twitter, or email.

Mylio

Mylio is another free photo management software that also has a free mobile app for photographers who like to access and edit their work no matter where they are. You can upload photos from your device or an external hard drive, or you have the option of importing images directly from your Facebook account. Once you’ve uploaded your images, Mylio will automatically organize them into a variety of views, including the calendar view, which separates photos into the years, then months, in which they were taken. Since Mylio is not a cloud-based service, you can view all of your files on any of your devices regardless of whether you have internet access or not. Simple designate one of your devices as the Vault, and Mylio will keep your image library on that device up to date with full sized files.

This allows you to access everything on all of your devices without internet without taking up a huge amount of space, so you’ll free up your storage space without losing access to your photos. Facial recognition software will automatically separate photos based on people’s faces, and it will learn over time based on your actions within the photo management software. Photo editing capabilities include filters as well as more advanced sliders. For additional security, Mylio offers encrypting capabilities, and you can integrate with other cloud-based libraries for an added sense of security. This free photo management software allows users to connect 3 separate devices and maintain a library of 25,000 photos, while paid versions Mylio Premium and Mylio Max offer additional features.

Since more expensive photo manager software will likely provide editing, sharing and storing capabilities as well as photo organization, while free versions may only include some of these features, consider what options you actually need for your photography business when determining which photo management software you should invest in.

What Next?

Now that you’ve got your photos all organized using your chosen photo management software, you can focus your time on what’s really important, like taking more photos, improving your techniques and learning new skills. With all your photos organized you’ll be able to decide which photos to include in your online portfolio. By carefully curating your portfolio you can make sure you’re representing your best self and embracing and making use of your niche. Don’t have an online portfolio yet? Choose one with unique templates and typography to customize every last detail of your portfolio and really stand apart from the crowd.

Good luck with finding the perfect photo management software for your photography business. We can’t wait to see how it goes!

Do you want more awesome tips on editing your photos?
The 11 Best Free Online Photo Editors
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Our 12 Favorite Photoshop Alternatives

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  • January 02, 2020
  • 30 min to read

With smartphones increasing in popularity, nowadays everyone (even a professional photographer) needs a tool that will help them to manage and organize their photos. After all, you do not want the risk of running out of storage space be the reason that do not capture every special moment? And with thousands of photos on your hard drive, you will for sure need a tool to help you track down a specific photo or remove those annoying duplicate photos.

Plus, let’s face it, hard drives do fail (and usually the day before you planned to make backups). Therefore, it is a very good idea to invest in a photo management software solution that lets you upload your pics to the cloud.

Though, the right photo management tool will offer you so much more than simply an organized storage space for your shots. Some tools will even let you add metadata about things like the camera model that was used, the dimensions, aperture value etc. The majority of these software solutions will also offer you a couple of standard editing tools such as color filters and cropping.

So, which features should you look for in a photo management tool? Here are 18 of the best photo management software solutions, in no particular order, that are currently available on the market. These will give you a good idea of what the current standard is.

1. Adobe Bridge

If you use the popular Adobe Creative Cloud software package, you will most likely already be very familiar with Adobe Bridge CC. It is a photo and digital asset management software solution that is compatible with both Windows as well as Mac OS.

With this free tool, you can access all the resources and files that you require for your specific project. It boasts several useful features that include on-demand metadata generation, batch photo editing, organizing general and individual files, watermarks, centralized color settings and much more.

To help you organize your different photo folders, you can use its metadata tools, tagging or rating features. Plus, you can also rename and organize a bunch of images at the same time.

It is also very simple to import pics or videos from your card reader, smartphone, tablet or digital camera, thanks to its picture upload feature. All things considered, it is one of the best solutions for professionals and can help them to streamline their workflow significantly. Though, it might be a bridge too far if you are looking for a tool that will help you to sort only your own (personal) photos.

2. Luminar 4

Luminar 4 boasts really great photo management features! The beauty of Luminar 4 is that it makes it easy to navigate your library with the help of shortcuts. For example, if you select “All Photos”, you can sort your photos either by their date of capture or the date on which the files were created. Another popular and easy-to-use shortcut is marking it as a Favourite. This way you can even add a star rating to all of your top photos.

You can also use folders to organize your photos. What makes this feature so convenient is that Luminar’s folders actually connect directly to your hard drive’s folders. This means that you can organize the folders of your hard drive via Luminar and the other way round. What’s more, you can then also group your photos together in Luminar by using albums without changing the location of the images on your actual hard drive! All in all, this is one of the best photo editing software solutions available on the market.

3. XnView

With the help of XnView, you can look at more than 400 photo formats and save as many as 50 different file formats. It is available free of charge for educational or non-commercial use and is compatible with Linux, Mac OS and Windows operating systems.

This multimedia viewer, photo converter and browser is powerful and boasts all the fundamental features, yet remains very simple to use and sleek. Some of its most popular features include lossless JPEG conversion, adjusting images automatically, a duplicate file finder, batch processing and a built-in picture editor. You can also use it to get info about all your images, making it one of the most popular tools for organizing your photos.

4. Nomacs

While Nomacs might be small, speed is for sure not something that you have to worry about as this free open-source image viewer is built for speed. After all, dynamite comes in small packages, right?

It is efficient and can be used with all of the most popular file formats which include PSD and RAW. Just like with XnView, you will get all the info about your pictures that you need.

One of its best features is that you can use it to synchronise different viewers who use the same local network or computer. It is also a great tool if you need to compare photos in order to identify differences. Some of its other useful features include a built-in graphics editor and automatic photo adjustment. It can be used with Mac OS, Linux and Windows platforms.

5. Google Photos

Google Photos is one of the best free photo management solutions that you can use for your videos and photos. Everything that you have come to expect, Google Photos can offer.

It is very simple to upload a photo. You can either use the button (that is somewhat difficult to spot) or the drag-and-drop feature which is much easier. As your videos and photos get uploaded and sorted to cloud storage automatically, it is a really convenient tool to add to your arsenal. It will sort out and display your panoramic photos and high dynamic range (HDR) ones in no time at all. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to sort out your albums and make suggestions regarding which images you should archive. What is more, you can also search for a specific photo or video at once, after it has been uploaded.

Some of its most popular features include creating metadata and drafts on request and photo batch processing. It also boasts a couple of basic photo editing tools that include color filters and cropping. Then, last but not least, all you have to do is select the pics that you want to share and either post it on social media, create a link or include it in one of your shared albums.

All things considered, Google Photos is the complete opposite of a tool like Adobe Bridge CC, making it the perfect tool if you are simply searching for a way to share those special moments with your friends and family members. And, thanks to the unlimited backup storage that is available if you choose not to upload it in full resolution, you do not have to make plans for when you run out of space. All things considered, with millions of users already who upload over a billion photos every single day, surely Google Photos is doing more than a couple of things right.

6. XnViewMP

If you like XnView, then you will really like XnViewMP which is an enhanced version of the first-mentioned. It is the ideal tool if you have to sort file formats that are not as common as it supports over 500 different image file formats. Unfortunately it does not arrange your photos for you automatically. However, it does offer a feature that you can use to edit the metadata and tags of your photos via a convenient batch mode. Thanks to this tool, you can issue those tags at the speed of light.

That being said, XnViewMP is more than just a basic photo management tool. You can also use it to create a graphic presentation, screenshot, slideshow or multipage animated file. Just like, XnView, XnViewMP is also compatible with Linux, Mac OS and Windows operating systems

7. Pictorial

If you are familiar with using Lightroom, you will find Picktorial quite similar. Though, Picktorial is more convenient as you do not have to create a directory or folder in Picktorial as you can work directly from your PC’s file system. What’s more, you can also modify its interface so that it suits all your specific tasks. Some of its other useful features and tools include color correction and image retouching. All things considered, it is a very practical photo editor that will help you to sort out your photos and even possibly edit them. Sadly, it is only compatible with Mac operating systems.

8. JetPhoto Studio

JetPhoto Studio is compatible with Windows and Mac OS and boasts almost all the tools you will need to sort out and edit your photos. This free photo management software solution boasts powerful photo batch processing, geo-tagging and tags. Although it does not offer cloud storage, you can use it to share your photos with others by making a Google Map gallery or using the JetPhoto Server or Flickr. And, if you use a browser that supports Flash, you can use JetPhoto Studio to create a Flash gallery in a flash.

9. Apowersoft Photo Viewer

If you are searching for a software solution that is really user-friendly, be sure to check out Apowersoft Photo Viewer. Its interface is very easy to use and understand! If you want to view one of your photos, all you have to do is click on it and it will be displayed instantly. Plus, with Apowersoft you can also view detailed info about your different images.

Compatible with Linux, Mac OS as well as Windows, it supports a wide range of file formats, which includes PDF. If you use Windows, you can even view your High Efficiency Image File Formats (HEIF or also called HEIC) directly.

Some of its other features include a built-in graphics editor, the ability to take screenshots and edit photos. That being said, its biggest perk is most likely the fact that it is very fast. Thanks to the use of advanced technology, you will be able to work at the speed of light. All in all, Apowersoft is truly a powerful software just as the name suggests!

10. StudioLine Photo Basic

If you use Windows and are searching for basic photo editing tools as well as a tool that can help you to manage your photos, you will like what StudioLine Photo Basic has to offer. With this free software solution, you can rotate, crop, correct red eyes and resize your photos. It also lets you add tags and descriptions to your photos. Then, after you are done editing and organizing your photos, be sure to use the online gallery to publish and share your images with your friends and family members. Or, even better yet, why not use it to create a slideshow of all your best memories?

11. FastStone Image Viewer

FastStone Image Viewer is another great free photo management software solution for Windows users that supports all the big file formats. In addition to its wide selection of features that will help you to manage your photo memories, it also boasts several photo editing tools that you can use to tweak and manipulate your images. Some of its most popular features include EXIF data viewing, resizing, image viewing, red-eye removal, cropping and tagging.

Although it is very easy to use, it sadly does not offer cloud storage and you cannot use it to upload your “share-worthy” pics to social media sites. So, if you are happy just to store your photos on your laptop, FastStone Image Viewer is one of the best programmes for Windows.

12. digiKam Photo Manager

With digiKam Photo Manager, you can organize your photos by means of albums, tags or folders quickly. What’s more, you can also view and edit your metadata and it boasts a built-in graphics editor and RAW support too. All things considered, its intuitive interface makes this advanced app one of the most popular picks amongst Mac OS and Windows users.

Free Photo Management Software

13. MAGIX Photo Manager

This is one of the magic tools for Windows users (and the MAGIX Photo Manager Deluxe version offers great value for your money too). With this free tool, you can sort out your images effortlessly and quickly, locate specific videos, see detailed info about your images, share your best pics and make the most effective use of your library.

Best Photo Organizing Software

Its clean interface is easy to understand and use and, what’s more, it also offers a couple of tools that you can use to correct your images. If you simply want to use it to sort out your photos, you can use it to arrange your photos according to tags, date or the actual name of the file.

14. Flickr

Flickr is one of the best-known tools for organizing and managing your pics. It offers impressive storage space and lets you set your own privacy settings which is very useful.

It is also very easy to upload and edit your photos. With its built-in photo editing tool, you do a couple of basic tasks like cropping, adjusting the color and applying a blur effect. It also has a batch feature that makes it easy to edit multiple photos.

And, if you are worried that your edited version will not look better than the original, you can simply save it as a copy instead. Then, when you are done playing around with different frames, filters and brushes, remember to use Flickr to share your creations on social media or use the link and embed it on your blog.

15. Phototheca

Phototheca is one of the top photo management software solutions that are compatible with Windows. With the help of this free tool, you can view, arrange and share your videos and images effortlessly. Just like most of the other tools mentioned already, it also shares detailed info about your individual pics. All you have to do is upload your digital images to its database and then you can arrange them according to date or event or even organize them by creating a specific album. If you can look past its dated interface, this tool is one to add to your list.

16. SmugMug

You have got to love the name of this program! This software solution has actually been on the market for over a decade already and can be used by both pros as well as amateurs.

Similar to Flickr (it actually obtained Flickr), it offers great privacy and security features. While it does offer editing tools, it only has the basics like color effects and cropping. Though, what it might lack in the editing department, it makes up for when it comes to layout. The default layout is easy to use and understand, but you can also select other color schemes or themes. It is also super simple to organize your photos manually thanks to its drag-and-drop feature.

All things considered, it is this intuitive experience and smart features like the upload progress bar that make it one of the top tools.

17. PicaJet Digital Photo Management

Apple Photos Remove Duplicates

With PicaJet, you can view your photos by date, rating or keyword and automatically sort out your photos at the speed of light. It also boasts a host of other features that include image sharing, automatic photo enhancement, a photo search engine, direct import and basic editing tools. And, if you want to get more creative than simple cropping or red-eye removal, you will love its slideshow feature.

18. 500px

One of the most attractive features of 500px is that it is suitable for professionals as well as amateurs. In fact, it has a very nice marketplace feature that pros can use to connect with their customers and generate some extra money. Even though you will not be able to upload a whole folder in one go, it is pretty straightforward to upload your photos one for one. Plus, you will also be able to include metadata, while it will add recommended tags automatically.

Remove Duplicate Photos

That being said, there are some glaring areas that need improvement. For starters, the interface is not that modern and sleek as you have come to expect and also not that intuitive. Another feature that it lacks, which most of the other programs mentioned in this list offer, is a couple of photo editing tools. While 500x allows you to edit the metadata, users are unable to edit their actual pics.