What is an EXIF header?

Image metadata: EXIF, XMP, IPTC, and MIX. The exchangeable image file format (EXIF) is a standard for embedding technical metadata in image files that many camera manufacturers use and many image-processing programs support. EXIF metadata can be embedded in TIFF and JPEG images.

What is EXIF used for?

Exchangeable image file format (officially Exif, according to JEIDA/JEITA/CIPA specifications) is a standard that specifies the formats for images, sound, and ancillary tags used by digital cameras (including smartphones), scanners and other systems handling image and sound files recorded by digital cameras.

Why is EXIF data so important?

Exif Data means ‘Exchangeable Image File’ data. This data is important to know the properties of the image that you take. Understanding the properties of the images can give you a better view of how big the resolution is or how much the exposure was originally and so on and so forth.

What is EXIF orientation?

EXIF data is useful information about a JPEG image, hidden inside the file. When images are photographed, digital cameras use orientation sensors to store an EXIF orientation value for how the camera is held. There are 8 possible values (not just landscape and portrait!).

Where is EXIF stored?

EXIF data is stored embedded into the physical file of the image, and therefore can only be accessed by specific software. The information is removed when a photo is converted to formats other than JPEG, such as PNG or GIF.

How do I view EXIF orientation?

You could check the image orientation in Windows by right clicking an image file, select Properties, and open the Details tab. Not sure if you’re using a Mac but I would suspect there will be something similar. The Dimensions property will show the horizontal side (on the left) and the vertical side (on the right).

Is EXIF data necessary?

EXIF data will provide you with great insight into what IS working in your photos, as well as what IS NOT working. Like I said, be sure to refer to it when you feel like something is “off” with your photos, but I also encourage you to use it as a way to remember what settings worked particularly well for you!