Ask HN: File-based photo management applications?

5 points by ar0 4 years ago | 6 comments

I want to manage my large-ish photo collection (a few thousand photos and small videos) using a tool where I can assign keywords, quickly iterate through them and delete unwanted photos, change metadata (titles etc.), make small modifications (exposure, crop, orientation etc.), look at the geotagged photos on a map etc.

However, I am looking for a tool that works with photos within an existing folder structure on the disk and modifies directly EXIF metadata instead of using some database or proprietary file structure which makes it difficult or impossible to switch to another tool later (e.g. I do not want to use Apple Photos or Lightroom due to this).

What tool would you recommend for this? I am open for Linux, Mac or Windows suggestions…

MrWiffles 4 years ago |

I bought this with some other stuff from that vendor a few months ago:

https://manytricks.com/usher/

I didn't use it for more than about 5 minutes because I absolutely _intend_ to do exactly what you're talking about _eventually_, but I just haven't kicked myself in the ass enough yet to actually DO it.

If memory serves, has most of what you're looking for. Getting photos from iOS device to Mac as files may be more of a hassle, though, than using Apple Photos/iPhoto/whatever the hell they're calling it these days.

Commercial, small developer, mac app, unsure about other platforms.

gquiniou 4 years ago |

Darktable creates a .xmp file with the metadata next to each photo.

I believe this format is also supported by Lightroom and other tools. I prefer this approach because you can keep your originals untouched.

mab122 4 years ago |

Hi I am using https://github.com/LibrePhotos/librephotos not as feature-full as you would like but it is file-based. For my needs (which is to serve photos that get backed up from my phone) it works. It has a map, recognizes faces, tags etc. Really hard to find software that uses files these days.

tikkabhuna 4 years ago |

Not an answer to your title, but Lightroom CC lets you store a copy of the original photos in an arbitrary location.

Go to Preferences -> Local Storage -> Store a copy of all originals at the specified location.[1]

I then sync the folder to S3.

[1] https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-cc/using/preferences.html

idiocrat 4 years ago |

I am using FastStone Image Viewer 7.5

It is a FreeWare, last update was in 2020, but it is feature-full, so does not need continuous development.

anon2020dot00 4 years ago |

Eagle App https://en.eagle.cool/