Where can I find a glossary of EXIF and photo metadata terms?
Asked 5/7/2013
3 views
2 answers
0
I’m trying to understand the metadata fields shown in Adobe Bridge for my Nikon D5200 images. Terms like Exposure, Exposure Mode, Exposure Program, Exposure Index, and Exposure Bias Value aren’t always clear from the camera manual. Is there an online glossary or reference for EXIF/photo metadata tags, including which fields are standard and which may be camera-manufacturer specific?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
7
There is some standard EXIF data, but there is also a lot that is vendor specific as well. The EXIF standard would be the best place to look for standard values and their meanings. Other values are added by vendors.
Exif standard 2.3 See around page 27 or so for a pretty decent glossary of the official standard tags.
Exiv2 seems to have a pretty good list that includes some of the vendor specific ones as well.
Originally by user11392. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11392
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. The best starting point is the official EXIF specification, which defines the standard metadata tags and includes descriptions of many common fields. That will help with items such as exposure-related tags shown in Adobe Bridge. Be aware that not all metadata is standardized: many cameras also write maker-specific/vendor-specific fields that may not be documented in the camera manual.
A practical companion reference is Exiv2, which provides a useful tag list and often includes information about manufacturer-specific metadata as well.
It’s also worth checking the IPTC photo metadata standard. While IPTC is a separate standard, there is overlap in field names and purposes with EXIF, and IPTC definitions can sometimes be clearer. Just keep in mind that both EXIF and IPTC allow some flexibility, so formatting and exact content can vary between software and camera makers.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI13y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Which photo metadata fields are most worth filling in for your images?
Where can I find Sony EXIF tag definitions, including maker notes, for searching and displaying metadata?
How do I calculate exposure value (EV) from EXIF aperture, shutter speed, and ISO?
Can EXIF metadata tell me which camera mode was used, such as Auto, P, A, S/T, or M?
What are the practical differences between Lightroom, Photoshop, Camera Raw, darktable, RawTherapee, GIMP, and Bridge?