Use Metadata to Improve Your Pictures
Pages: 1, 2
What Should You Use to View EXIF Data?
You have many options for viewing the EXIF data your camera captures. As I mentioned before, iPhoto provides you with most of the important information that you commonly would need. Also, take a look at the software bundled with your camera. For example, both Nikon and Canon provide image utilities that are compatible with Mac OS X, and they are pretty good at giving you the data your camera captures.
Since I shoot many of my pictures with Canon cameras, I use their bundled Image Browser when I want to access all the important metadata accompanying my pictures. Here's a sample of the EXIF output I get from Canon's Image Browser application:
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Dig deeper into digital photography! In addition to reading the O'Reilly Digital Photography Pocket Guide by Derrick Story, you can also learn more helpful techniques like these by attending his all day workshop at the San Francisco Graphic Art Institute on Nov. 22, 2002. More cities are being scheduled. |
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Related Articles: Top Ten Digital Photography Tips -- You have a digital camera and have taken the typical shots of family and friends. Now what? Here are ten tips to make your next batch of digital images so impressive that people will ask: "Hey, what type of camera do you have?" Guess what? It's not the camera. Top Ten iPhoto Tips -- Yes, at first glance, iPhoto appears deceptively simple. But there's a Unix-compatible database lurking beneath that beautiful Aqua surface. This article gives you five "data in" and five "data out" tips that will help you get the most from this very cool iApp. |
Metadata from Canon Image Browser Application
- File Name: IMG_4580.JPG
- Camera Model Name: Canon PowerShot G2
- Shooting Date/Time: 10/14/02 17:21:15
- Shooting Mode: Program AE
- Tv(Shutter Speed): 1/160
- Av(Aperture Value): 4.0
- Metering Mode: Evaluative
- Exposure Compensation: 0
- ISO Speed: 50
- Lens: 7.0 - 21.0mm
- Focal Length: 14.6mm
- Digital Zoom: None
- Image Size: 2272x1704
- Image Quality: Super Fine
- Flash: Off
- White Balance: Cloudy
- AF Mode: Single
- Active AF Points: [ Center ]
- Parameters: Contrast Low; Sharpness Normal; Color saturation High
- File Size: 3176KB
- File Number: 145-4580
- Drive Mode: Single-frame shooting
- Owner's Name: Derrick Story
This application shows me settings such as white balance that aren't displayed in most image editors. I don't always need this level of detail, but it's nice to know it's there if I want it.
Photoshop 7 does a pretty good job of reading and displaying metadata too. Just go to File -> File Info, then select EXIF from the dropdown menu in the dialog box. It's the last one at the bottom of the menu. Photoshop doesn't provide everything, but it does give you lots to chew on.
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Another handy tool that I keep on my Dock for quick and dirty data checking is EXIF Viewer for Mac OS X by Ali Ozer. This free download provides you with most of the data you need plus displays a thumbnail image to boot. I simply drop the file on the application icon on my Dock, and the information is quickly displayed.
The only bug that I've discovered so far is that sometimes the viewer incorrectly displays the flash information. For my Canon images it says that the flash was on when indeed it wasn't. But other than that, this nifty app is a reliable time saver.
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Final Thoughts
I recommend that you keep a set of original files for all of your important images. In part, I think this is just good file management. But I also like to have those original pictures because I know that the metadata will be intact for me to review whenever I want.
When we manipulate pictures and save them in optimized formats, important metadata is sometimes removed from the header. If you don't have those original files to fall back on, you might lose that information forever. Plus, it's always wise to have the unaltered, uncropped picture stashed away safe and sound.
We're just scratching the surface of picture metadata. Soon GPS-equipped cameras might be able to record positioning coordinates to the EXIF file, that could later be translated into locations when browsed with the image editor. Who knows what else? But for now, tapping EXIF data can certainly help us take better pictures and serve as a permanent record for when we recorded them.
Derrick Story is the author of The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers, The Digital Photography Companion, and Digital Photography Hacks, and coauthor of iPhoto: The Missing Manual, with David Pogue. You can follow him on Twitter or visit www.thedigitalstory.com.
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Showing messages 1 through 31 of 31.
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Apple-bundled Graphic Converter w/IPTC
2004-01-06 03:02:51 anonymous2 [Reply | View]
From LENKE software, bundled onto my Powerbook G4 17", Graphic Converter seems to use EXIF and (a subset/superset) of metadata called IPTC.
When I use Graphic Converter to batch-convert photos to a lossless format (I use .psd) before importing into iPhoto, it also has options to add comments and (I surmise as I don't have the .pdf manual) make entries to EXIF and/or IPTC metada.
After importing into iPhoto, it seems that "Comments" in Graphic Converter are not passed or are not mapped to "Comments" in iPhoto.
I went to the International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC) at http://www.iptc.org/pages/index.php and started reviewing some of their definitions (like: "A method for packaging, relating, and managing diverse pieces of media. Offers a universal metadata approach to all sorts of specialised content formats.")
It seems that the metadata relating to photos may need to have IPTC stuff recorded as well, especially as photos in our digital libraries participate in digital commerce, and the best way to record the info is when the photo is shot or added to a library.
The award-winning Graphic Converter (http://www.lemkesoft.com/en/index.htm) certainly helps in many ways.
Your thoughts?
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Sending EXF Data
2003-12-25 09:49:16 dave-gordon [Reply | View]
I post images to a contest site (www.dpchallenge.com) that requires EXIF data to be submitted with pictures that rate high to ensure that the rules on post processing and the dates on which pictures were taken were followed. I use cPhoto to view EXIF data, but it doesn't seem to allow sending the data with the photo. Is there software that allows this?
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Writing Metadata
2003-10-26 18:52:09 jdbscience [Reply | View]
The article on using metadata to improve one's pictures is very interesting and helpful. However, I think it is almost as important to be able to WRITE comments, captions, and other things of that ilk to an EXIF file.
iPhoto does a little bit of this by writing to the mangled images that it stores in its "Library". GraphicConverter does a bit more and iView Media and media pro seem to do even more.
It would, however, be especially nice to do this in a batch mode, perhaps using an AppleWorks database to edit the fields and then using AppleScript to extract the info from the database and drive another very simple app to write it to files in a folder.
Perhaps there already exists a UNIX app to do this kind of thing from the command line (and therefore, from a shell script).
Thanks for listening. I hope to hears omething back.
Best Wishes
John D. Barnes
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EXIFutils
2003-01-04 22:59:55 anonymous2 [Reply | View]
There is a wonderful set of ultilites for reading & manipulating EXIF metadata at http://users.bigpond.net.au/thomas/exif.html . Recently became $15 shareware. However, versions exist for many platforms.
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Several EXIF Questions using Canon G3
2003-01-03 14:21:56 bungalow_bill [Reply | View]
Great article. I've just discovered EXIF information using my Canon Powershot G3 and the ACDSee image browser on my Windows 2000 machine. Searching for an answer to my first question is how I got here.
I notice in your example that you have the "Owner's Name" field filled in. Where do I set that field? I have the field in my Canon photos, but no easy way to enter the name. (I'll do some more hunting while waiting for that answer.)
Another thing is has anyone come up with an EXIF editor link anywhere out there? I'd like to batch process my existing photos and stamp them "Copyright MINE MINE MINE" and so forth.
Finally, just a simple note: Not one of your photos on these two pages has any EXIF data. I thought it'd be nice to see the EXIF data for myself, but it wasn't there. -
Several EXIF Questions using Canon G3
2003-09-25 08:12:31 anonymous2 [Reply | View]
Since this question has not been answered properly, I'm thinking of sharing. It has to be done in Canon Remote Capture (installed together with Zoom Browser). On the menu at the top, you will see Camera. It will reveal Camera Setting and if clicked, a dialog box will be shown. At the top, you will see Owner Name. Fill in as you like and all your photos taken in future will have your name in EXIF data. This will ensure that your name always stay with the photo. Hope this helps. -
Several EXIF Questions using Canon G3
2003-08-25 12:46:07 anonymous2 [Reply | View]
I recorded a script in Paint Shop Pro Version 8 that inserts a name into the "Artist" EXIF field, then closes the image. This script may then be run in batch mode against a directory of images. -
Several EXIF Questions using Canon G3
2003-01-03 19:40:03 bungalow_bill [Reply | View]
Okay, still hunting around. I found this one program through www.exif.org that lets me add comments, but comments only. It's fairly fancy in how it displays the image and it's EXIF data. I recommend it for EXIF viewing. Just go to www.exif.org and select the programs link. The program is called Photo Studio.
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Meta data
2002-12-24 12:03:35 anonymous2 [Reply | View]
I am using OS X 10.2.2 and Canon ImageBrowser 2.7.1.22 I never see any of the data when I select 'get info' or do a comand I.
Must be doing something wrong. I know the data is there because I can see some of it with Graphic Converter.
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Modifying EXIF data?
2002-11-28 18:29:54 peterf [Reply | View]
seanfitzroy said he would particularly like to add the date that the photo was taken. On my camera, you can set the date and time, and this is returned in the EXIF file as a field. Example:
DATE:15.11.2002 10:35
sean, your camera may not have this feature, but if it does, that might be a solution for you.
Thanks for the article, Derrick, I learnt a lot.
PeterF
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Curator software for Mac OS X
2002-11-27 11:35:52 anonymous2 [Reply | View]
Curator is an image viewer/organizer application from Caffeine Software. It also displays limited EXIF data. There is minimal manipulation of it. Shareware at http://www.caffeineSoft.com. I have iPhoto on my G4 at home but use Curator on my iBook. I think you'll like it. Give it a try.
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Canon G2 and Image Browser
2002-11-23 09:25:21 lulugru [Reply | View]
I just purchased a Canon G2. The specs that I read say the Image Browser is not compatible with OSX 10.2. In your article, and also your response to another question about the Image Browser, you mention that you are using a G2 with Image Browser. Can you explain further? Is there an upgrade to the Browser that will work with the G2? -
Canon G2 and Image Browser
2002-11-25 11:17:52 Derrick Story |
[Reply | View]
OK, here's the scoop. I'm using Image Browser with OS X 10.2 for both the G2 and S200, and it works great.
Here are a few URLs to bookmark:
Canon Digital Camera Homepage (updates, firmware, etc)
http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/BeBit-e.html
PowerShot.com
http://www.powershot.com
Canon Image Browser Updater (2.3) for Mac OS X
http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/customer/ib23.html
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Modifying EXIF data?
2002-11-22 19:31:10 seanfitzroy [Reply | View]
I'm wondering if anyone has found software that will allow the user to manually write (or modify) EXIF data.
I have a bunch of prints that I'm scanning and I'd like to encode the data so it stays with them. I'd particularly like to add the date that the photo was taken. Write now I'm writing it into the file name with the hopes of batch converting it someday.
Thanks for any help,
-Sean -
Opanda PowerExif Editor can edit each item of standard Exif tags.
2005-04-12 17:43:11 tonychien [Reply | View]
Opanda PowerExif Editor
THE OMNIPOTENT TOOL TO EDIT EXIF DATA IN IMAGES
http://www.opanda.com/
Features:
- To add/modify/delete/edit all EXIF 2.21 standard tags.
- Add or modify GPS information into images.
- Maximum 60,000 characters record per image, support unicode.
- Batch modify & remove.
- Powerful import & export function.
- Support JPEG, TIFF and Exif template file.
- Special extension tags for profession photography
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Modifying EXIF data?
2005-02-11 23:05:20 tonychien [Reply | View]
DigitalFilm 1.65 offers a tool modifying EXIF data, you can download the demo and try it.
http://www.opanda.com/ -
Modifying EXIF data?
2002-11-25 11:21:16 Derrick Story |
[Reply | View]
Terrific idea. Let me nose around a bit and see what I can find. If anyone finds something good, please post a reply here.
-Derrick
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Canon ImageBrowser Version 2.3 for OS X
2002-11-18 22:00:07 anonymous2 [Reply | View]
I downloaded the software listed in the article for my PowerShot A40 but, for the life of me, I can't get it to display all the metadata as shown in the article. I saw lots of disabled menu items and just wanted to ask how this information can be extracted. Is the article refering to the Mac OS X (10.2.2) version?
Thanks. -
Canon ImageBrowser Version 2.3 for OS X
2002-11-21 08:06:18 Derrick Story |
[Reply | View]
I just double-checked my version, and it is ImageBrowser 2.3 (running on Mac OS X 10.2.1). Click on a thumbnail in the browser, then hit CMD-I. This should open a window with all that juicy metadata. If that doesn't work, provide a little more info as to what is happening.
-Derrick
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Cameras with GPS?
2002-11-18 19:28:36 anonymous2 [Reply | View]
I've been wanting one of these. Are they on the horizon? Any references?
Thanks -
Cameras with GPS?
2002-11-21 12:47:08 mklangeman [Reply | View]
I've seen a couple models that support hooking a separate GPS device to them: Nikon D1X, Kodak DC265.
I want consumer level models with build in GPS. I read the following article that gives me some hope that we'll see some.
<http://rss.com.com/2100-1040-959085.html>
Matt -
Cameras with GPS?
2002-11-21 08:01:41 Derrick Story |
[Reply | View]
I haven't seen a working model yet. It's one of those ideas that just make sense though, especially if you provide the software application that converts the GPS data into city names. I figure if we just keep talking about it, someone will take the bull by the horns ...
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Another EXIF view app
2002-11-17 22:21:49 anonymous2 [Reply | View]
I just wanted to point you to an app I was working on when this article came out. It only took a little bit extra to clean it up for release, so I popped it at http://www.instituteofthefuture.org/exifomatic/ - and called it EXIF-O-Matic. It saves to HTML and TXT. -
Another EXIF view app
2002-11-17 23:53:10 Derrick Story |
[Reply | View]
I downloaded the Mac OS X version and created both text and HTML exports of EXIF data. It worked like a charm, and having an easy to move this data around is very handy. Sweet little Java app.
-Derrick
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JAlbum: x-platform gallery tool
2002-11-17 10:24:09 anonymous2 [Reply | View]
There are probably great tools on the Mac to generate HTML thumbnail galleries..a cross-platform tool that works well, and displays EXIF data, is JAlbum--my review
http://jw.servebeer.com/space/JAlbum -
JAlbum: x-platform gallery tool
2002-11-18 07:37:24 Derrick Story |
[Reply | View]
Jeff has a nice screen shot of the EXIF readout if you take a look at his review. JAlbum is primarily a picture gallery generator (iPhoto already had a nice one built in), but it can display some EXIF data too.
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qpict media organizer
2002-11-16 08:13:46 mklangeman [Reply | View]
Good article. I recently bought a digital camera and have been checking out ways of organizing photos using the data stored in the picture. Besides EXIF data I am interested in ITPC that can store caption, keywords, etc. One program that looks good is QPict Media Organizer <http://www.qpict.net>.
I have also been thinking of how cool the GPS info would be. I've seen a camera that allows you to hook up a separate GPS device to it, but not one with built in GPS. There would be many possiblities for cool software that deals with GPS information.
Matt -
qpict media organizer
2002-11-16 22:06:41 miscdebris [Reply | View]
What looks really neat about this application is the ability to export the file data as XML. It's not something I've seen from any other application on the market right now. For someone who often posts his photos online and requires a way to organize file data efficiently, this is an ideal feature.
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This is cool!
2002-11-15 15:52:04 anonymous2 [Reply | View]
Wow, I never realized all the metadata stored by the digital camera. I found a neat little unix utility called, strangely enough, 'exif' to display all this stuff. It can also extract the thumbnail stored in the EXIF, which is much quicker than generating one.
Thanks for the informative article!
revdiablo
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Thanks!
2002-11-14 19:40:26 Michael Brewer | [Reply | View]
Thanks for the interesting article and the link to EXIF Viewer. I'm downloading it right now. Although, I'm not sure how much help EXIF will give me -- my camera is a lower end Canon PowerShot A20. I'm going to see what it can do for me with some of the Autumn leaves.








Thanks
Kevin