An important component of every image file is its metadata. This data comes in several different flavors (EXIF, IPTC and XMP metadata) and each one carries a specific kind of information. Learning what sort of information each one carries is something every digital shooter needs to know. This information is found in the “file info” menu of every image editing application. Adobe Bridge, Lightroom and Aperture (to name just a few) are all adept at using this metadata to help you sort, file and find your information efficiently. You want to take advantage of this!
Here’s what you need to know about metadata…
A digital image comes from the camera with EXIF data automatically embedded. This is the data showing the camera’s exposure settings, lens choice, color balance, etc. It normally isn’t editable.
IPTC information, however, IS editable and can be found in JPEG, TIFF and RAW files. In the IPTC metadata is where you record your name, where you shot the photo, a caption and a lot more. This is also where you’ll want to embed keywords, copyright and contact information to help with future searches.
Last in line, XMP metadata is created whenever you change the look of RAW files and includes information about the alterations you made to the image during post processing. This data is usually saved as a separate “sidecar” .xmp file that has the same file name as the photo it modifies (the same except for, of course, the “.xmp” extension!).
As you can see, these three types of metadata serve specific, useful purposes. For finding your images after the fact, however, the IPTC metadata is the most useful. Get in the habit of adding an IPTC info template with at least your name and contact information on every image you download onto your computer. Take time to add relevant keywords such as the name of the people in your photo, location, event, etc.
Having the right kind of information embedded into your image’s metadata will make it easier to use image editing software to make searches with a degree of precision you wouldn’t have otherwise. So take advantage of the power of metadata and get in the habit of adding as much information you can to everything you shoot. Believe me, being able to quickly find your photos years after you’ve made them is a good thing!
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