EXIF Data
What is it?
Ok. Technically, EXIF stands for EXchangable Image File format, which is a computer file format that describes how to store data for images and sound. In addition to the actual images and sound, there is more information that can (and usually is) stored with the picture which is often referred to as EXIF Data that records more details about how the image was captured. This includes such things as (but not limited to.) ...
- Camera
- Lens
- Exposure (ie. What exposure mode was used, shutter speed, aperture and ISO setting.)
- Flash (Did it fire or not?)
- Focus (Was manual focus or auto focus used.)
- Date / Time
- File size and Image size
- Focal Length
- White Balance mode
- etc.
Why should I care?
Now, the obvious question is, "why should I care?"
The power is that when taking pictures, when you see a picture that really turned out well, you'll want to repeat the success. And the quickest way to repeat the success is to do the same things you did to take that great picture again. Such as going out at the same time of day, having your camera on the same exposure mode, with the same lens, etc. (Maybe not that extreme, but just painting a visual picture.)
Then again, if you see one of your pictures that didn't turn out at all well, you can go through the EXIF Data to guess at what you could have done better and try this out next time.
And this can go equally as well for any digital picture you come across. As long as the EXIF Data hasn't been removed either manually or by some photo editing software, you'll be able to get the EXIF Data from that amazing image and try to figure out how you could use your camera to recreate that success and make a more impact image yourself.
How do I view EXIF Data?
Ok. Now that you're all convinced that you really want to view the EXIF Data off your picture, the question now becomes, how do I view EXIF Data?
Well, if you still have the CDs that came with your digital camera, it may contain a picture viewer that not only lets you view the pictures, but can display some of the EXIF Data as well.
If you've lost your camera CDs, then you can always use the on-line website ( Jeffrey's Exif viewer - http://regex.info/exif.cgi ), which is what I usually do because as long as I have internet access, its always there. (If you can't remember the URL address, just go to www.google.com and type "exif data" and Jeffrey's page is usually right near the top. Click on it and you're good to go.)
Once you're on Jeffrey's page, then either provide it with the URL of an image on the internet or browser for the file on your computer and then click on the "View Image ..." button. Jeffrey's page will load the picture, chug away and then display a page with all the meaty details.
Another alternative is exifdata [http://exifdata.com], which only takes a picture from your computer. So if you want to view EXIF Data from an image on the web, you'll have to download it to your computer first. But once there, this page displays the most useful EXIF Data quickly and easily.
Additional Resources:
Here are a few additional pages I've come across ...
Using EXIF Data [http://www.digital-photography-school.com/using-exif-data]
