Posted by David Peterson on 28 Oct 2006 as File Formats, Tips
We hear so much about EXIF data, but not many people know how useful having the EXIF data can be.
I remember a time back in the film camera days, when the cameras imprinted the time and date onto the photo. At the time this was a handy way to know when a photo was taken. The problem was that if the camera’s date was wrong (and usually it was), so was your picture. And more importantly, there was this awful date imprinted on your lovely photo!
With digital cameras, this has all changed. On each and every shot, the camera records not only the date and time, but all the other camera settings used to record the photo. That includes the shutter speed, aperture setting, ISO setting, is the flash was used, the focal length and lots lots more.
This is stored with the photo in what is called EXIF data inside your jpeg file (not technically correct, as EXIF is actually a file format, but it’s good enough for our discussion). When you copy the image to your computer, the EXIF data is copied as well, as a part of the image.

As Flickr, and my Digital Photo Gallery among others display EXIF data (if available) alongside the photo. Looking at this camera shot data as well as the image can give you lots of insights as to how different camera settings affect photo characteristics.
In fact the pros reviewing photos at my Review Your Photos service often look at the EXIF data to help them know what the camera did, and thus what changes can be made to make an image better.
Pay particular attention to the Shutter Speed, Aperture (F-Stop), and ISO. You’ll quickly start to learn how each of these values affect a photo in different lighting conditions. If looking at other people’s photos, pay attention to the type of camera used as well. Most of the time you’ll be surprised at how great photos with Point and Shoot cameras are!
Have you learned anything from the EXIF data? Tell me what in the comments below.
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Hi Ujik,
Unfortunately, no. If the GPS data was not active at the time you took the photo, and it’s not stored in the EXIF information, there’s no way to retrieve it.
David.
i have a photo from black berry, the gps is not active. Can I get the location info ?
These are very valuable and lifelong tips at no cost. Thanks for these lessons and tips, I for one will always remember them.
What the letters EXIF stand for? I know IF stand for Image Format? What about E X?
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This is interesting. The last sentance impressed me.
“Most of the time you’ll be surprised at how great photos with Point and Shoot cameras are!”
Since I started using my DSLR, I was underestimating my old P&S Kodak C340. But really, It can also capture great images. Its the photographer who must know how to use the equipment.
Thanks David, you have opened my eyes. :)
I feel sorry about my old Kodak and apologize it..
This is very good advice and useful for diagnosing problems….shutter speed aperture etc.
However if you are changing time zones please remember to change the time in your camera or else you will be wondering how come you were able to take a photo in London in the middle of the night in bright daylight (my camera was on Brisbane time).
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Hi, Just downloaded EXIF Reader as you stated to use. Only one word can sum this up, BRILLIANT!!!!Looking for something like this for a long time, gives all details of photo, thanks again.
Using ImageQuery (freeware) software to search EXIF data fields makes EXIF even more useful. One can search their whole computer drive for photographs taken on a particular day, or even a particular time of day. IPTC fields allow even better indexing but this is another topic.
A very useful thing to refer to, by refering to this info and experimenting with other settings we can only learn and improve our photography. Many thanks
have I learned anything – oh yes…I always wondered how and why this appeared on photos. Will now look more closely at all the details…once again, many thanks….you are the man!!
What an excellent thing to learn!!! I downloaded Exif Reader and I am amazed. I never knew we could see the EXIF about the dig pics! Thankyou very much for this info!!!