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What Is Image Metadata and How Is It Used?

Image metadata is text information embedded in or associated with an image file, detailing aspects of the image and its production. It is categorized into technical, descriptive, and administrative metadata, with various standardized formats such as EXIF, IIM, ICC, and XMP used for storage. Metadata aids in cataloging images, protecting intellectual property, and enhancing searchability, though it requires careful management to prevent unauthorized access.

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Delores Cannon
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7 views6 pages

What Is Image Metadata and How Is It Used?

Image metadata is text information embedded in or associated with an image file, detailing aspects of the image and its production. It is categorized into technical, descriptive, and administrative metadata, with various standardized formats such as EXIF, IIM, ICC, and XMP used for storage. Metadata aids in cataloging images, protecting intellectual property, and enhancing searchability, though it requires careful management to prevent unauthorized access.

Uploaded by

Delores Cannon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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image metadata

Definition

Image metadata is text information pertaining to an image file that is


embedded into the file or saved to a separate file that is associated
with the image file.

Image metadata includes details relevant to the image itself and to its
production. Some metadata is generated automatically by the system
capturing or creating the image. Additional metadata can be added
manually and edited through dedicated software or general image
editing software, such as GIMP or Adobe Photoshop. Metadata can
also be added directly on some digital cameras.

Image metadata is often divided into three main categories:

1. Technical metadata is mostly generated automatically by the


device or software that creates the image. For example, if the
image is a photograph taken by a digital camera, the camera
typically generates metadata about the camera and the photo's
settings, including aperture, resolution, focal length, shutter
speed, ISO speed, camera brand and model, date and time when
the image was created, and the GPS location where it was created.
Cameras usually generate more technical data than devices or
software such as scanners, screenshot tools or draw programs.
2. Descriptive metadata is mostly added manually using special
software such as GIMP or Affinity Photo. The individual who
creates or manages the image can use the software to add or edit
the descriptive metadata. The metadata might include the name of
:
the image creator, keywords specific to the image, captions, titles,
comments or other information. Effective descriptive metadata can
make it easier to search for images.
3. Administrative metadata is like descriptive metadata. Most of the
metadata is added manually using special software. The metadata
might include usage and licensing rights, restrictions on reuse,
contact information for the image owner or similar types of
information.

Image metadata formats


Various standardized formats are used for metadata. The following four
formats are the most common ones:

1. Exchangeable Image File (EXIF or Exif). The format is used


extensively in digital cameras, smartphones and other devices
when generating image metadata. EXIF data can include a range
of information and often represents the bulk of metadata in an
image file. It includes data such as image width and height,
aperture value, exposure time, camera model and more.
2. Information Interchange Model (IIM). The metadata in IIM
provides individuals and organizations with a way to add details to
images such as titles, genres, instructions, owners or creators,
location and contact information, copyright and attribution
specifications, and similar types of information.
3. International Color Consortium (ICC). This metadata includes
details about the color profile embedded in an image. ICC is an
organization that defines and publishes open standards for image
color management.
4. Extensible Metadata Platform (XMP). The metadata is an XML-
:
based format that can accommodate a wide range of information.
This format was created by Adobe but is now an ISO standard that
has been adopted by Adobe and other vendors. XMP can
incorporate both EXIF and IIM metadata.

Figure 1. Photo open in Affinity Photo program with a panel on the right showing some of the image
metadata

Many image editing programs make it possible to view and edit an


image's metadata. For example, Figure 1 shows a photograph
(sunset.jpg) that was taken with an iPhone. The photo is open in
Affinity Photo. Next to the photo is a panel that shows some of the
image metadata. Most of the metadata was generated by the phone
and is included in the EXIF section, although one of the XMP sections
shows a small amount of metadata generated by Affinity Photo.

Metadata is usually added to an image file directly, along with the bits
that define the image itself. With an application such as Hex Fiend, you
can pick out pieces of the metadata text from the binary data. Figure 2
shows the binary data for the sunset.jpg file. The screenshot starts at
the beginning of the file, where the EXIF data has been added. The four
bytes that represent the term EXIF are highlighted in the screenshot,
along with the matching text.
:
Figure 2. Binary data for the sunset.jpg file (the same image opened in Affinity Photo in the previous image)

Image metadata can also be stored in a file separate from the main
image file. This type of file is often called a sidecar file and must
accompany the image file to ensure that the metadata is available to
the image when needed. Sidecar files commonly use XMP to format the
metadata. Figure 3 shows part of the contents of an XMP file that was
generated for the sunset.jpg image. Notice how the data is presented
in an XML-based format.
:
Figure 3. Image metadata can be stored in a file called a sidecar file separate from the main image file. This
shows part of the contents of an XMP file generated for the sunset.jpg image.

Image metadata can be useful for cataloging and contextualizing visual


information. Many photographers and other visual artists provide
information about themselves and their images within the metadata.

Image metadata can also help protect intellectual property. However,


including copyright information in the metadata is not adequate
protection as it can easily be stripped away. Also, as with other types of
:
content, metadata security can be cumbersome, requiring extra
measures to safeguard image metadata and protect it from
unauthorized access.

Learn best practices for enterprise image data storage.

This was last updated in January 2023

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