Q: Data usage with i-cloud

I have recently started using i-cloud purely as a means to store photos.

Unfortunately, we have noticed that every time we look at our photos on the computer, this uses up HUGE amounts of our monthly data usage, even when we are not downloading or uploading photos.

I would like to know whether I need to 'turn off' the i-cloud settings once I have uploaded the photos to i-cloud. Or is there some sort of setting I need to have it on so that I can still view and edit photos, without it chewing up massive amounts of data.

Thank you.