Hello, .
Here are two words for you that describe a gold mine of information buried in our photographs that will help us figure out the outcome of our pictures.
EXIF Data.
While EXIF Data might not seem the most exciting topic, its importance cannot be overstated.
It helps us understand the cause and effect of camera operation and composition.
When we review our pictures on
our digital camera or photo editing software on our computer, we can also check the EXIF data.
And if we're using film, we'll need something to record our "EXIF data" by hand, such as a pen and paper.
On a digital camera, the EXIF data sticks with our file (our picture) and should also be viewable in whatever photo editing software we use on our computer.
When using our camera, this is usually called "file Information" and is accessible while reviewing our pictures on the LCD screen on the back of our cameras.
The EXIF data shows us information about the creation of the photograph.
This information is helpful when we make photographs because it tells us
the exposure mode, exposure settings, ISO, metering mode, white balance, and other information that went into creating the picture we've made.
In other words, this information is the why.
It's why the picture came out the way it did.
Is our work too dark, too bright, too blurry, too noisy, etc?
The reason why is in the EXIF data.
The EXIF data is an excellent bundle of information we can use to bolster our photography studies and practice.
Reviewing our pictures and looking at our EXIF data will help us become better photographers because we’ll see what settings were used to create the image.
Below, you'll see the EXIF
data attached to a picture I made.
Now, remember that this is ALL the data viewed in editing software.
When viewing this information on the back of our camera, much less data may be visible.
But that's
ok.
It's still in the file, and when viewing our pictures on the back of our camera, we're usually only interested in seeing the information involved in OUR role of creating the image.
That would include but isn't limited to exposure mode, exposure settings, ISO, metering mode, and white balance.
The EXIF data below is attached to a picture I made.
EXIF
Subfile Type:
Full-resolution Image
Image Width:
3072
Image Height:
2304
Bits Per Sample:
16 16 16
Compression:
Uncompressed
Photometric Interpretation:
RGB
Make:
SONY
Camera Model Name:
DSC-V3
Strip Offsets:
27366
Samples Per Pixel:
3
Rows Per Strip:
2304
Strip Byte Counts:
42467328
X Resolution:
300
Y Resolution:
300
Planar Configuration:
Chunky
Resolution Unit:
inches
Modify Date:
2012-09-03 20:38:33 GMT
Artist:
Sam
D’Amico
Copyright:
(C) Sam D’Amico
Exposure Time:
1/500
F Number:
4.0
Exposure Program:
Manual
ISO:
100
Exif Version:
0221
Date/Time Original:
2007-07-31 16:07:55 GMT
Create Date:
2007-07-31 16:07:55 GMT
Shutter Speed Value:
1/500
Aperture Value:
4.0
Max Aperture Value:
2.8
Metering Mode:
Spot
Light
Source:
Daylight
Flash:
Off, Did not fire
Focal Length:
28.0 mm
File Source:
Digital Camera
Scene Type:
Directly photographed
Custom Rendered:
Normal
Exposure Mode:
Manual
White Balance:
Manual
Scene Capture Type:
Standard
And while it's one thing to view the EXIF information, understanding how it affects our picture is another.
I can help you with the understanding part.
Classes are below.
More ways to study and practice photography with me are below.
Do you need to learn to use your camera or brush up on some skills and techniques, especially if you want to be ready to take pictures and record those holiday moments?
I've scheduled Introduction to Photography and Getting to Know Your Camera classes.
Since class sizes are limited to five participants, it's a good idea to reserve your spot as soon as possible.
If you need a different schedule, there's always Private Lessons.
Below are more ways to learn photography with me.
The Introduction to Photography class or a series of Private Lessons will help you study and practice to become a photographer who can make the best possible pictures.
By studying and practicing photography with me, you'll learn how to be a better photographer.
More ways to study and practice with me are below.
