You may have heard about EXIF data and wondered what it was. Very simply EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is a variation of JPEG, used by almost all digital cameras to record extra information to image files as they are taken. The information recorded may include details about camera settings such as exposure values, f-stop setting whether the flash was used or not as well as the date and time that the original photograph was taken.
In this screen shot you can see the type of information captured by a Nikon 5700.
A camera will record different details depending on its capabilities. In most cases the software supplied with the camera will have its own method of reading this information.
Most recent versions of software programs also support the data. Microsoft’s Digital Image Pro Suite 9’s Library allows limited viewing of EXIF data. It can be accessed by selecting a photograph in the library choosing File, Properties and then Camera Settings
In Photoshop open the photo and select File> File Information, select the drop down box called Section and select EXIF.
For PhotoImpact the software PhotoExplorer which comes bundled with PI 8.5 and XL reads EXIF Data.
XP allows you to see the recorded data when you right click on the photograph and choose Properties, then choose the Summary tab and the advanced view.
While files can be burnt to CD and copied be aware that by editing and resaving over the original jpg file the data is usually lost.
The information within an EXIF file is important to you if you are going to want to increase your skills as a photographer because it will allow you to not use a notebook to write down every piece of information about every picture that you take. The information is readily accessible when the image is downloaded.
More importantly, the information recorded can help you become a better photographer. By using the information in the file you can see the differences between changes of settings and the results on your photographs. This means you can get a better understanding of how to get the results you want from your camera. For example by taking a series of photographs and varying the Saturation Values you can determine in what conditions it would benefit you to make manual changes in the setting to improve a similar photograph. When you have photos that were unsuccessful or unexpectedly good; study the EXIF data to identify the reason behind it.
Here I took two pictures adjusting only the White Balance. The first screen shot shows the information for the first picture and the second table of information for the photograph with the blue cast. The changes between the two photographs are recorded and easily comparable to determine which settings produced which photograph. 
For more information about EXIF data check your camera’s information guide or software. You can also learn more at your camera’s manufacturer website (search for EXIF data) or the following websites.
http://www.exif.org
http://www.graphicsoft.about.com/cs/exifinformation
http://dpreview.com
***First published in TidBytes July 2004***
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