If you have been into photography for just about any period of time you might have heard about EXIF data, although minus the coupon-clipping what it’s or why you would utilize it. I had been exactly the same way for any lengthy time – it seemed like it had been most likely complicated as well as little practical use. However, I had been amazed to uncover it’s really quite simple, and will help you enhance your photography in an exceedingly possible way.
What’s EXIF Data?
EXIF means “exchangeable image extendable”, which does not really provide you with any clues in regards to what it really is, but the bottom line is it enables you to definitely store certain information in your photos. This post is referred to as “metadata” and will include such things as the time and date the shot was taken, camera settings like shutter speed and focal length, and copyright information.
This is often hugely helpful when you are reviewing your pictures. For instance, you may observe that a go of the runner has switched out a little fuzzy, so that you can check out the metadata to check on your shutter speed, aperture, ISO speed and so forth, and choose how you could do this things differently later on. With time this technical understanding can help you recognise and proper similar issues before they occur, and be more acquainted with your camera’s settings.
Supported File Formats
EXIF is sort of limited in that it’s only based on two image formats – JPEG and TIFF. Usually this is not an issue, because most individuals will have a tendency to shoot in JPEG, however it entails when you place the digital camera to RAW mode you will not have the ability to capture EXIF data. Fortunately camera manufacturers have considered this and develop their very own equivalents that support RAW, so when you later save the file like a JPEG that data is going to be transformed into EXIF and stored by using it.
Example EXIF Data
The next screenshot shows some sample EXIF data from the photo I required lately. As you can tell, it has more information concerning the camera, the settings employed for this shot, and also the final image itself.
Typical EXIF data for any photograph.
The majority of the values listed are self-explanatory, readable, and familiar to many photographers – EXIF is not quite as daunting in the end!
How you can View EXIF Data
There are a variety of the way to gain access to your photos’ EXIF data, for the way much important information to see:
In Your Operating-system
You will see EXIF info from your operating system’s file manager:
Windows – Right-click on an image, select “Properties”, and switch to the “Details” tab.
Mac OS X – Right-click on the picture, click “Get Info”, and expand the “More Info” section.
Linux – Right-click the file and choose “Properties”. Depending on which file manager you’re using you may need to switch to a different information tab.
This is actually the quickest and simplest way to see your photo’s metadata. You will not begin to see the full listing of qualities but you’ll make the most important ones, which is frequently all you will need.
Metadata Viewing Software
If you wish to connect to the full listing of EXIF tags you will need to apply certain more complex software. There are lots of great programs which you can use, varying from simple, dedicated EXIF viewers up to high-finish graphics editing software.
The best dedicated tool is ExifTool using the Graphical user interface wordpress plugin. It is rather simple, liberated to download, and shows more details than other EXIF tools. Other good tools are Opanda IExif, IrfanView’s Metadata wordpress plugin, and KUSO Exif Viewer, which are free software too.
Most of the top graphics programs have EXIF management built-in. Included in this are Illustrator, Illustrator Elements, Lightroom, iPhoto, and GIMP. Aside from GIMP these can be very costly, so they are not worth buying simply to view metadata, however if you simply already own them then they are a handy method of doing it.
Online Metadata Viewers and Browser Plugins
Finally, you will see your metadata online utilizing a site like Jeffrey’s Exif viewer. This provides lots of information but could be a slow method of doing things as you have to hold back for the photo to upload towards the website, which could take quite a while whether it’s a large file.
There’s also numerous internet browser extensions and add-ons you can use to see the EXIF data of images online:
Firefox Add-ons – Exif Viewer and FxIF.
Chrome Extensions – EXIF Viewer and EXIF Reader.
Internet Explorer Add-ons – IExif.
Editing and Removing EXIF Data
There are specific occassions when you might like to modify or delete certain metadata out of your photographs. For instance, you might want to give a copyright notice or remove location information for privacy purposes.
The different os’s permit you to edit certain EXIF qualities but because pointed out above they do not list every tag, if you want full control you will need to make use of a proper editor program such as the ones formerly pointed out.
Deleting metadata works in exactly the same. Many programs provide a quick one-click EXIF removal function to delete all the EXIF tags connected having a file, and you may even get dedicated “EXIF cleaner” software to complete exactly the same factor.
Hopefully this explanation helps clarify what EXIF metadata is and just how technology-not only to analyse and enhance your photos. Clearly you will not desire to use it on every picture you are taking, but it may be invaluable to get to the foot of why a go switched out very well or badly, which makes it another helpful tool inside your photographer’s armory.