# How to export photos: resize, convert and remove location

> Select photos in the grid and press Ctrl+E (or right-click → Export…), then pick folder, format, size, quality, watermark and names. Originals never change.

Source: https://firelet.media/help/export-photos
Published: 2026-09-30 · Updated: 2026-09-30
Applies to: Windows, macOS, Linux

To export photos and resize them in firelet.media Gallery, select them in the grid and press [[Ctrl]]+[[E]] (or right-click → **Export…**). In the **Export** window choose a folder, a format (JPEG, PNG or the original files), a long-edge size, JPEG quality, and whether to keep your edits, remove the location, add a watermark or rename the copies. Then click **Export**. Your originals are never changed.

## What Export does (writes copies)

Export makes new files from your pictures and leaves the originals exactly as they were. The window says it at the top: "Copies are written to the folder you choose. The originals are only read, never changed."

Use it whenever you need a different version of a picture:

- smaller copies for email, a website or a messaging app
- JPEGs made from PNG, HEIC or other formats
- copies with your edits from the Adjust panel applied
- copies without GPS data, so nobody can see where they were taken
- a set of full-size originals on another drive

## Steps: select and open Export…

1. Select the pictures in the grid (click, then [[Ctrl]]-click or [[Shift]]-click to add more; [[Ctrl]]+[[A]] selects all).
2. Press [[Ctrl]]+[[E]], or right-click one of them and choose **Export…**.
3. Pick a **Preset**, or set the options below by hand.
4. Click **Choose…** beside **Folder** and pick where the copies go.
5. Click **Export**.

Export works from the grid only; it isn't available while the viewer is open, so close the viewer first. The folder defaults to `Pictures\Exported` and must be different from the folder the originals are in.

## Resize and convert: format, long edge and JPEG quality

| Option | Choices | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| **Format** | **JPEG**, **PNG**, **Original files, unchanged** | The third copies the files as they are, byte for byte |
| **Long edge** | **Full size**, **3840 px (4K)**, **2560 px**, **2048 px**, **1600 px**, **1080 px (web)** | Sets the size of the longer side; the shape stays the same |
| **JPEG quality** | 40 to 100 (90 by default) | Lower means smaller files |

**Original files, unchanged** ignores size, edits and watermark, because it doesn't re-save anything; it is handy for copying a selection to another drive. Videos are always copied unchanged, whatever the format.

## Keep camera data or remove the location

Two tick boxes control the information inside JPEG copies (they apply when the format is **JPEG**):

- **Keep camera data, dates and keywords (JPEG from JPEG)** carries over the details already stored inside a JPEG original, such as the camera, the date taken and keywords written by other software.
- **Remove the location before sharing** strips the GPS position, so the copy doesn't reveal where it was taken.

![The Export window with Remove the location before sharing ticked](https://firelet.media/help/media/shot-export-dialog.webp "Remove the location before sharing strips GPS from JPEG copies")

> [!IMPORTANT]
> The gallery's own stars, keywords and corrected dates are **not** written into exported copies; only metadata already inside a JPEG original can be kept. If another program needs your ratings and keywords, write XMP sidecars from **Albums & keywords** instead. With **Original files, unchanged**, the copy is identical to the original, location included.

## With my edits, watermark and file names

- **With my edits — crop, turn, light and colour** applies everything you did in the Adjust panel. Leave it unticked for copies of the untouched originals. [How to edit a photo without changing the original](https://firelet.media/help/edit-photos-without-changing-originals) explains where edits live.
- **Watermark**: type the text (the hint suggests something like "© 2026 Ann Example"; leave it empty for none) and choose **Bottom right**, **Bottom left**, **Top right**, **Top left** or **Centre**.
- **File names**: leave it empty to keep each picture's own name, or build a pattern from `{name}`, `{n:3}`, `{date:yyyy-MM-dd}`, `{camera}`, `{folder}`, `{title}`, `{stars}` and `{place}`. For example, `{date:yyyy-MM-dd} Rome {n:3}` numbers the copies in order.

## Save as preset

Two presets come built in:

| Preset | What it does |
|---|---|
| **Web — 1080 px JPEG, no location** | 1080 px long edge, JPEG quality 85, location removed |
| **Full size JPEG** | Full size, JPEG quality 95 |

To keep your own mix of settings, set everything up and click **Save as preset…** ("Keep these settings under a name"). Your preset then appears in the **Preset** list; **Delete** ("Forget this preset") removes one of yours.

## Print and other ways to share

- **Print**: press [[Ctrl]]+[[P]] in the grid or viewer. Choose one, two or four pictures a page, or a **Contact sheet — 20 pictures**, whole or cropped to fill, with an optional caption, then **Print…** opens the Windows print dialog.
- **Copy picture** and **Open with…** are under right-click → **Share and print**, for pasting into another app.
- **Send to phone** sends copies to a paired Android phone once the free companion app is available (it's coming soon).

There is no built-in sharing service: no links, no uploads and no social posting. Export copies and share them however you like.

> [!TIP]
> Exporting with **Original files, unchanged** to an external drive is a quick way to copy a selection, but it isn't a full backup. [How to back up your photos and your library](https://firelet.media/help/back-up-photos-and-library) covers that, and [does firelet.media Gallery change my original photos?](https://firelet.media/help/are-original-files-changed) explains what's stored where.

## Questions

### Does Export change the originals?

No. Copies are written to the folder you choose; the originals are only read, never changed.

### How do I remove GPS data before sharing?

Choose JPEG as the format and tick Remove the location before sharing in the Export window. The built-in Web preset does this for you.

### Are my stars and keywords included in the exported copies?

No. Export keeps only metadata already inside a JPEG source. Write XMP sidecars if other apps need your stars and keywords.