What’s Photo Metadata? What’s Photo Metadata tag?

Photo Metadata is a set of data that records all valuable information of digital images and photos. It includes Exif(Exchangeable Image File Format) photo metadata, IPTC Photo metadata, TIFF Photo metadata, GPS Photo metadata and more, and each different photo metadata uses a variety of different tags to record different photo information independently. They can be used to describe and organize digital images or photos.

In this article, we will list all the photo metadata tags supported by macOS, and guide you on how to add, remove, and edit these metadata tags using the Photos Exifer - Export and Import feature(export photo metadata -> add, edit, remove photo metadata tags in the plist ->import the edited plist back to photos).

All Photo Metadata include:

Exif Photo Metadata

ExifAux Photo Metadata

TIFF Photo Metadata

IPTC Photo Metadata

GPS Photo Metadata

JFIF Photo Metadata

PNG Photo Metadata

GIF Photo Metadata

CIFF Photo Metadata

HEIF Photo Metadata

HEICS Photo Metadata

WebP Photo Metadata

TGA Photo Metadata

DNG Photo Metadata

OpenEXR Photo Metadata

88IM Photo Metadata

MakerNikon Photo Metadata

MakerCanon Photo Metadata

All Exif Photo Metadata tags:

ExposureTime: The exposure time is the time for which light falls on the sensor of a digital camera to expose your photo.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: ExposureTime Type: Number Value: custom number )

FNumber: The f-number of an object is the ratio of focal length and aperture diameter, and used for indirectly indicating the aperture size.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: FNumber Type: Number Value: custom number )

ExposureProgram: The Exposure Program mode of the camera at the time the photo was taken.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: ExposureProgram Type: Number Value: 0 = Not defined, 1 = Manual, 2 = Normal program , 3 = Aperture priority, 4 = Shutter priority, 5 = Creative program (biased toward depth of field), 6 = Action program (biased toward fast shutter speed), 7 = Portrait mode (for closeup photos with the background out of focus), 8 = Landscape mode (for landscape photos with the background in focus), Other = reserved )

SpectralSensitivity: Camera spectral sensitivity functions relate scene radiance with captured RGB triplets.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: SpectralSensitivity Type: Number Value: custom number )

ISOSpeedRatings: ISO is simply a camera setting that will brighten or darken a photo.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: ISOSpeedRatings Type: Array SubItem: Item 0 Type: Number Value: custom value )

OECF: Indicates the Opto-Electric Conversion Function (OECF) specified in ISO 14524. It’s a read-only value. (Key: OECF)

SensitivityType: The SensitivityType tag indicates PhotographicSensitivity tag, which one of the parameters of ISO 12232.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: SensitivityType Type: Number Value = 4, 5, 6, or 7)

StandardOutputSensitivity: This tag indicates the standard output sensitivity value of a camera or input device defined in ISO 12232. When recording this tag, the PhotographicSensitivity and SensitivityType tags shall also be recorded.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: StandardOutputSensitivity Type: Number Value: custom number)

RecommendedExposureIndex: This tag indicates the recommended exposure index value of a camera or input device defined in ISO 12232. When recording this tag, the PhotographicSensitivity and SensitivityType tags shall also be recorded.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: RecommendedExposureIndex Type: Number Value: custom number)

ISOSpeed: This tag indicates the ISO speed value of a camera or input device that is defined in ISO 12232. When recording this tag, the PhotographicSensitivity and SensitivityType tags shall also be recorded.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: ISOSpeed Type: Number Value: custom number)

ISOSpeedLatitudeyyy: This tag indicates the ISO speed latitude yyy value of a camera or input device that is defined in ISO 12232. However, this tag shall not be recorded without ISOSpeed and ISOSpeedLatitudezzz.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: ISOSpeedLatitudeyyy Type: Number Value: custom number)

ISOSpeedLatitudezzz: This tag indicates the ISO speed latitude zzz value of a camera or input device that is defined in ISO 12232. However, this tag shall not be recorded without ISOSpeed and ISOSpeedLatitudeyyy.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: ISOSpeedLatitudezzz Type: Number Value: custom number)

ExifVersion: The version of the supported Exif standard.
How to edit in the plist file:(Key: ExifVersion Type: Array SubItem: Item 0, Item 1, Item 2 Type: Number. If the ExifVersion is 2.2.1, Item 0 =2, Item 1=2, Item 2=1).

DateTimeOriginal: The date and time when the original image data was generated.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: ExifDateTimeOriginal Type: String Value: date format(YYYY:MM:DD HH:MM:SS))

DateTimeDigitized: The date and time when the image was stored as digital data.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: DateTimeDigitized Type: String Value: date format(YYYY:MM:DD HH:MM:SS))

OffsetTime: The time zone for ModifyDate.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: OffsetTime Type: Number Value: custom number)

OffsetTimeOriginal: The time zone for DateTimeOriginal.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: OffsetTimeOriginal Type: Number Value: custom number)

OffsetTimeDigitized: The time zone for DateTimeDigitized.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: OffsetTimeDigitized Type: Number Value: custom number)

ComponentsConfiguration: Specific to compressed data; specifies the channels and complements PhotometricInterpretation.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: ComponentsConfiguration Type: Array SubItem: Item 0, Item 1, Item 2, Item 3 Type: Number).

CompressedBitsPerPixel: Specific to compressed data; states the compressed bits per pixel.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: CompressedBitsPerPixel Type: Number Value: custom number).

ShutterSpeedValue: Shutter speed.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: ShutterSpeedValue Type: Number Value: custom number).

ApertureValue: The lens aperture.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: ApertureValue Type: Number Value: custom number).

BrightnessValue: The value of brightness.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: BrightnessValue Type: Number Value: custom number).

ExposureBiasValue: The exposure bias.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: ExposureBiasValue Type: Number Value: custom number).

MaxApertureValue: The smallest F number of the lens.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: MaxApertureValue Type: Number Value: custom number).

SubjectDistance: The distance to the subject, given in meters.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: SubjectDistance Type: Number Value: custom number).

MeteringMode: The metering mode.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: MeteringMode Type: Number Value: custom number).

LightSource: The kind of light source.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: LightSource Type: Number Value: custom number).

Flash: Indicates the status of flash when the image was shot.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: Flash Type: Number Value: custom number).

FocalLength: The actual focal length of the lens, in mm.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: FocalLength Type: Number Value: custom number).

SubjectArea: The subject area
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: SubjectArea Type: Array SubItem: Item 0, Item 1, Item 2, Item 3 Type: Number).

MakerNote: Manufacturer specific information.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: MakerNote Type: String Value: custom string).

UserComment: Keywords or comments on the image; complements ImageDescription.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: UserComment Type: String Value: custom string).

SubsecTime: A tag used to record fractions of seconds for the DateTime tag.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: SubsecTime Type: String Value: custom string).

SubsecTimeOriginal: A tag used to record fractions of seconds for the DateTimeOriginal tag.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: SubsecTimeOriginal Type: String Value: custom string).

SubsecTimeDigitized: A tag used to record fractions of seconds for the DateTimeDigitized tag.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: SubsecTimeDigitized Type: String Value: custom string).

FlashPixVersion: FlashPixVersion is the FlashPix format version supported by a FPRX file.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: FlashPixVersion Type: Array SubItem: Item 0, Item 1 Type: Number).

ColorSpace: The color space information tag is always recorded as the color space specifier.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: FlashPixVersion Type: Number Value: custom number).

PixelXDimension: Specific to compressed data; the valid width of the meaningful image.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: PixelXDimension Type: Number Value: custom number).

PixelYDimension: Specific to compressed data; the valid height of the meaningful image.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: PixelYDimension Type: Number Value: custom number).

RelatedSoundFile: Used to record the name of an audio file related to the image data.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: RelatedSoundFile Type: String Value: custom string).

FlashEnergy: Indicates the strobe energy at the time the image is captured, as measured in Beam Candle Power Seconds. It’s a read-only value. (Key: FlashEnergy).

SpatialFrequencyResponse: Records the camera or input device spatial frequency table and SFR values in the direction of image width, image height, and diagonal direction, as specified in ISO 12233. It’s a read-only value. (Key: FlashEnergy)

FocalPlaneXResolution: Indicates the number of pixels in the image width (X) direction per FocalPlaneResolutionUnit on the camera focal plane. It’s a read-only value. (Key: FocalPlaneXResolution) (Key: FlashEnergy)

FocalPlaneYResolution: Indicates the number of pixels in the image width (Y) direction per FocalPlaneResolutionUnit on the camera focal plane. It’s a read-only value. (Key: FocalPlaneYResolution)

FocalPlaneResolutionUnit: Indicates the unit for measuring FocalPlaneXResolution and FocalPlaneYResolution. It’s a read-only value. (Key: FocalPlaneResolutionUnit)

SubjectLocation: Indicates the location of the main subject in the scene.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: SubjectLocation Type: Number Value: custom number).

ExposureIndex: Indicates the exposure index selected on the camera or input device at the time the image is captured.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: ExposureIndex Type: Number Value: custom number).

SensingMethod: Indicates the image sensor type on the camera or input device.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: SensingMethod Type: Number Value: custom number).

FileSource: Indicates the image source.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: FileSource Type: Number Value: custom number).

SceneType: Indicates the type of scene.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: SceneType Type: Number Value: custom number).

CFAPattern: Indicates the color filter array (CFA) geometric pattern of the image sensor when a one-chip color area sensor is used.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: CFAPattern Type: Number Value: custom number).

CustomRendered: Indicates the use of special processing on image data, such as rendering geared to output.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: CustomRendered Type: Number Value: custom number).

ExposureMode: Indicates the exposure mode set when the image was shot.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: CustomRendered Type: Number Value: custom number).

WhiteBalance: Indicates the white balance mode set when the image was shot.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: WhiteBalance Type: Number Value: custom number).

DigitalZoomRatio: Indicates the digital zoom ratio when the image was shot.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: DigitalZoomRatio Type: Number Value: custom number).

FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: Indicates the equivalent focal length assuming a 35mm film camera, in mm.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: FocalLengthIn35mmFilm Type: Number Value: custom number).

SceneCaptureType: Indicates the type of scene that was shot.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: SceneCaptureType Type: Number Value: custom number).

GainControl: Indicates the degree of overall image gain adjustment.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: GainControl Type: Number Value: custom number).

Contrast: Indicates the direction of contrast processing applied by the camera when the image was shot.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: Contrast Type: Number Value: custom number).

Saturation: Indicates the direction of saturation processing applied by the camera when the image was shot.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: Saturation Type: Number Value: custom number).

Sharpness: Indicates the direction of sharpness processing applied by the camera when the image was shot.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: Sharpness Type: Number Value: custom number).

DeviceSettingDescription: This tag indicates information on the picture-taking conditions of a particular camera model.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: DeviceSettingDescription Type: String Value: custom string).

SubjectDistanceRange: Indicates the distance to the subject.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: SubjectDistanceRange Type: Number Value: custom number).

ImageUniqueID: Indicates an identifier assigned uniquely to each image.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: ImageUniqueID Type: Number Value: custom number).

CameraOwnerName: Camera owner name as ASCII string.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: ImageUniqueID Type: String Value: custom string).

BodySerialNumber: Camera body serial number as ASCII string.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: BodySerialNumber Type: String Value: custom string).

LensSpecification: This tag notes minimum focal length, maximum focal length, minimum F number in the minimum focal length, and minimum F number in the maximum focal length, which are specification information for the lens that was used in photography. When the minimum F number is unknown, the notation is 0/0.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: LensSpecification Type: Array SubItem: Item 0, Item 1, Item 2, Item 3 Type: Number).

LensMake: Lens manufacturer name as ASCII string.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: LensMake Type: String Value: custom string).

LensModel: Lens model name and number as ASCII string.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: LensModel Type: String Value: custom string).

LensSerialNumber: Lens serial number as ASCII string.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: LensSerialNumber Type: String Value: custom string).

Gamma: The gamma setting
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: Gamma Type: Number Value: custom number).

CompositeImage: composite image
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: CompositeImage Type: Number Value: custom number).

SourceImageNumberOfCompositeImage: The number of images that make up a composite image.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: SourceImageNumberOfCompositeImage Type: Number Value: custom number).

SourceExposureTimesOfCompositeImage: The exposure times for composite images.
How to edit in the plist file: (Key: SourceExposureTimesOfCompositeImage Type: Number Value: custom number).

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