Tips > Metadata
What's Metadata?
Metadata is data about data.
In photography, metadata is the information about the photograph,
such as the camera settings, date and time of creation, and so forth.
You can add information to a metadata file, such as captions,
key words, and
copyright and contact information.
When you press the shutter release, two files are created: a
photography file embedded with a metadata file.
Photographers used to put their metadata on the backs of their
photographs.
They'd stamp their name, contact information, and copyright,
on the backs of their prints.
For example,
Weegee's
stamp included the headline, Weegee the Famous.
Their First Murder
By Weegee the Famous
Formats
IPTC
The original format is IPTC (International
Press Telecommunications Council).
IPTC is used in newspaper publishing.
The IPTC file stores captions, copyright, comments, contact information,
tags, and the like.
EXIF
The next format to be be developed is EXIF (Exchangeable Image
File), created by the
Japan Electronic and Information Industries Association.
The EXIF format is used to record camera information.
XMP
More recently, Adobe created the
XMP (Extensible
Metadata Platform)
XMP incorporates the IPTC file format.
Viewing, Editing, & Printing Metadata
You can use most of the programs to edit IPTC files (captions,
etc.), but not the EXIF files (camera information).
A few of the programs allow you to edit both the IPTC and the
EXIF files.
Some of the programs allow you to print the metadata.
Windows
To view the metadata using Windows, right click on a file.
Go to Properties > Summary > Advanced (XP), or Properties
> Details (Vista & Windows 7).
iPhoto - Mac
Go to Photos > Get Extended Photo Info.
Picasa - Windows & Mac
Go to
Picture Data : Viewing EXIF Data.
Flickr
Click More Properties on the photograph's page.
Other Programs
You can also use use the programs
below to view the metadata
files.
Photoshop Elements
Go to
Metadata & Photoshop Elements.
Disappearing Metadata
Metadata can be stripped, removed, from the photography file.
Sometimes, this is intentional and it's beneficial.
Go to Metadata Removal.
Unfortunately, metadata is often stripped when you transfer a
photograph from one program to another.
Or, the metadata may be intact, but it isn't recognized by a
subsequent program.
Test for metadata stripping when transferring your photographs
from one program to another for the first time.
If the metadata is stripped, transfer copies of your photographs
only.
To view the metadata, you'll have to return to the primary program.
General
Photometadata.org
Windows
ACDSee
EXIF Date Changer Free, Greg Driver
ExifPro Image Viewer
IrfanView Free, download
the plug-ins as well
Microsoft Pro Photo Tools 2 Free
PhotoME (Photo Metadata Editor)
Jens Duttke
Review Bob Johnson
PowerExif
Free trial
Time Stamp Modifier
for JPEG Files Free, Zdenek Martinek
Command Line Utilities
The programs below are for advanced computer users.
ExifTool
Phil Harvey
ExifTool
GUI Makes above program easier to use
EXIFutils
jhead Matthias
Wandel
Mac
Annoture
ExifTool
Phil Harvey, for advanced computer users
EXIF Viewer Free,
Ali Ozer
iMagine Photo
