[Episteme]

As requested, here is a bit of information to help in understanding EXIF (exchange image file format) in digital photos. Keep in mind this is only helpful in photos taken directly from digital cameras. Scanned photos do have EXIF meta data but it doesn't display this information. EXIF data can now be edited pretty simply, so it's not a sure fire way to tell if a photo is genuine, but it can help guide us in finding out why a photograph may look the way it does.

I use EXIF data constantly to figure out why a photo did or didn't turn out right, especially when taking night photographs. This data can tell us nearly everything we need to know from the camera model that was used down to the individual settings. Settings are useful, of course, for determing the causes of anomilies. Or, just as importantly, what was not the cause, meaning a blur wouldn't be likely when the settings were very quick. The camera model is useful in determining the quality of optics - many camera models are prone to "artifacts" - and in determining the capabilities of the camera to help improve the pictures.

Many common programs have EXIF viewers with plugins to ie, firefox, and explorer, but to make things easier I'll just link a free viewer I use. It's called EXIF Pilot Light (windows 98/xp/vista) and can be safely downloaded here. The perks include full exif data instead of just the basics, a thumbnail viewer, and the ability to click the photo and preview the full version in windows explorer. The only thing I don't like is that you can't copy the exif data... boo. But it's better than the photoshop viewer.


Pretty basic. Directories on the left. Find where your photo is. Click it, you get a thumbnail. The default is the basic file information on the right. See the EXIF button under the thumbnail? There's the good stuff, click that.

The camera settings are too complex to even begin with, maybe some of the others would like to get started on that but I'm not that motivated yet. Either way, here is a great beginner's tutorial.

I'm only scratching the surface here, would love to hear more input!

[NoahJaymes]

Awesome thread!! Thanks

[JustNormal]

WOW great post Epi, even though I dont undertand any of it. I am lucky if I can save a photo never mind figure things out LOL..JN-

[Kar-zid]

JustNormal on Nov 3 2007, 04:08 PM, said:

WOW great post Epi, even though I dont undertand any of it. I am lucky if I can save a photo never mind figure things out LOL..JN-

Don't worry, I don't understand it either, but I'm sure it was important to those who did understand it. So you're not alone!

[JustNormal]

Kar-zid on Nov 3 2007, 05:11 AM, said:

Don't worry, I don't understand it either, but I'm sure it was important to those who did understand it. So you're not alone!

LOL Whew at least I am not alone. But its great to have someone like Epi to analyze photos. <wondering if she saw my ghosts yet> LOL

[Lycos]

Episteme on Nov 3 2007, 04:48 AM, said:

As requested, here is a bit of information to help in understanding EXIF (exchange image file format) in digital photos. Keep in mind this is only helpful in photos taken directly from digital cameras. Scanned photos do have EXIF meta data but it doesn't display this information. EXIF data can now be edited pretty simply, so it's not a sure fire way to tell if a photo is genuine, but it can help guide us in finding out why a photograph may look the way it does.

I use EXIF data constantly to figure out why a photo did or didn't turn out right, especially when taking night photographs. This data can tell us nearly everything we need to know from the camera model that was used down to the individual settings. Settings are useful, of course, for determing the causes of anomilies. Or, just as importantly, what was not the cause, meaning a blur wouldn't be likely when the settings were very quick. The camera model is useful in determining the quality of optics - many camera models are prone to "artifacts" - and in determining the capabilities of the camera to help improve the pictures.

Many common programs have EXIF viewers with plugins to ie, firefox, and explorer, but to make things easier I'll just link a free viewer I use. It's called EXIF Pilot Light (windows 98/xp/vista) and can be safely downloaded here. The perks include full exif data instead of just the basics, a thumbnail viewer, and the ability to click the photo and preview the full version in windows explorer. The only thing I don't like is that you can't copy the exif data... boo. But it's better than the photoshop viewer.


Pretty basic. Directories on the left. Find where your photo is. Click it, you get a thumbnail. The default is the basic file information on the right. See the EXIF button under the thumbnail? There's the good stuff, click that.

The camera settings are too complex to even begin with, maybe some of the others would like to get started on that but I'm not that motivated yet. Either way, here is a great beginner's tutorial.

I'm only scratching the surface here, would love to hear more input!

Good stuff.

[SS79]

I agree another great thread epi .

what a wonderful tool to have especially with all the different things we find in pics these days .

thanks x x x x

JN . I dont have a problem saving my pics its finding them again after

This post has been edited by spiritual_soul79: 03 November 2007 - 05:25 AM

[JustNormal]

spiritual_soul79 on Nov 3 2007, 05:24 AM, said:

I agree another great thread epi .

what a wonderful tool to have especially with all the different things we find in pics these days .

thanks x x x x

JN . I dont have a problem saving my pics its finding them again after

OMG Me too, and I swear I look everywhere! I hate computers LOL..

[Lycos]

JustNormal on Nov 3 2007, 05:27 AM, said:

OMG Me too, and I swear I look everywhere! I hate computers LOL..

Practice makes perfect =) Most things on the computer wind up being self taught.

[Episteme]

JustNormal on Nov 3 2007, 01:08 AM, said:

WOW great post Epi, even though I dont undertand any of it. I am lucky if I can save a photo never mind figure things out LOL..JN-

Well if you're not interested in all that other junk it's a great tool for getting the best photos you can out of your camera. Say you're touring a reportedly haunted house and your photos just aren't looking right. The rooms were dark and the photos were coming out almost completely black, no flashes allowed on the tour, so you just start fiddling with the controls. You get home and you realize there were one or two photos out of the bunch that just turned out fantastic, but you cant remember the settings - ack!! Easy enough, you just pull out this little program, check the EXIF, and see that you had it set to "automatic landscape mode". Pull out your handy manual or find it on your camera's website (if you don't remember which little symbol that mode is), and now every dark dreary building like that will have splendid photos! Not only that but it's better than using the flash and causing all those ugly shadows. Problem solved!

If you can install a program and find a photo on your hard drive, you know enough.

^^ Just saw that about the picture problem. What Amroth said, you'll get the hang of it!

This post has been edited by Episteme: 03 November 2007 - 05:37 AM

[signal7]

Here's a brief sampling:

http://en.wikipedia....ewing_Exif_data

and a good way to spot a fake would be, from the given example, exposure time. If the suspect object/entity leaves trailing, and is superimposed, there should be an elongated number floating around somewhere.

This post has been edited by signal7: 03 November 2007 - 08:09 AM

[soursherbert]

Great Post Just what i need!!!!

[Pythia]

OK, OK, I will buy the digital camera.

Great thread Epi!!! The tutorial was awesome!!!
I hear a lot about EXIF data, when dealing with pictures of paranormal activity.
I always had to wait for someone else to post it or tell what it said, because I couldn't figure out how to find it myself.
Thank you very much!!!

[Episteme]

Jennie 1 on Nov 3 2007, 09:44 AM, said:

OK, OK, I will buy the digital camera.

Yaay!!!

Jennie 1 on Nov 3 2007, 09:44 AM, said:

Thank you very much!!!

Anytime, glad I could help!


Thread props to Jennie, this was her idea!

[Pythia]

I only suggested it. You made the thread, which I think should be pinned btw, it's your knowledge and expertise and time and effort. Don't give me props, because I didn't do anything, except type some words. Easy!
I will go suggest the pinning now.