What is EXIF?

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.

EXIF Explained

Date and Time on your photos 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.

EXIF Shot Information

How can I see the EXIF data?

Lots of web photo applications like Flickr show the EXIF data if available alongside the photo.
Most paint programs allow you to view the EXIF data (Photoshop shows you in the metadata window in Adobe Bridge).
You can view the EXIF data in Windows XP by right clicking on the image, choosing Properties and then the Summary tab. This is cumbersome though!
Specialized (and free) programs like EXIF Reader for Windows or PhotoToolCM for the Mac show you the EXIF data and allow you to edit it.

Use EXIF as a learning tool

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.

Here’s your homework for today

Take a look at the recent images uploaded to my Digital Photo Forum Image Gallery and look at the EXIF information below the photos.
Use an EXIF display program on your computer to see the shot records of the last few photos you have taken.

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.

15 Responses

How To Enhance A Sunset Photo by Digital Photo Secrets says:

October 27, 2011 at 11:53 am

[...] settings to use, first get your camera to take a shot with automatic or sunset mode and look at the EXIF data generated for that shot. That’s a great place to start. Switch over to Manual mode and [...]
David Peterson says:

June 19, 2011 at 1:42 pm

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.
ujik waskita says:

June 19, 2011 at 12:57 pm

i have a photo from black berry, the gps is not active. Can I get the location info ?
Olu says:

January 21, 2011 at 1:50 pm

These are very valuable and lifelong tips at no cost. Thanks for these lessons and tips, I for one will always remember them.
SS Reddy says:

April 16, 2010 at 8:41 pm

What the letters EXIF stand for? I know IF stand for Image Format? What about E X?
Can someone please tell me why? says:

March 8, 2010 at 2:28 am

[...] and information embedded into your photo. Opanda is a program that she was using to see that info. * What is EXIF?*by*Digital Photo Secrets Did you get your colors worked [...]
Amit says:

July 17, 2008 at 4:10 pm

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..
Rob says:

May 25, 2008 at 11:30 am

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).
Kodak will add GPS to camera range by 2009 by Digital Photo Secrets says:

October 23, 2007 at 6:02 am

[...] location information will be stored in the EXIF information of the image, and will be able to be retrieved using common software. I have a feeling [...]
Don't add frills by Digital Photo Secrets says:

July 15, 2007 at 2:43 pm

[...] Modern digital cameras record the time and date the shot was taken anyway in a separate part of the image file. This is called the EXIF information (find out more about EXIF). [...]
brian harris says:

October 30, 2006 at 9:28 pm

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.
LaoK says:

October 30, 2006 at 8:28 pm

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.
Sandy Peddie says:

October 30, 2006 at 3:05 am

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
Wendy says:

October 29, 2006 at 8:03 pm

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!!
Barbara says:

October 29, 2006 at 7:11 am

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!!!