Methods and apparatus for processing images are provided. The image processing method includes obtaining an image using an electronic device; associating first metadata corresponding to the image with a first layer of a hierarchical data structure, wherein the hierarchical data structure includes a plurality of layers, including the first layer and a second layer; associating second metadata with the second layer, wherein the second metadata corresponds to one or more of a plurality of blocks into which the image is divided; and storing the hierarchical data structure in association with the image in a storage unit operatively coupled to the electronic device.