Or, How Your Camera Helps You Analyze Shots & Improve Them
Did you ever take a picture that accidentally turned out great? Have you taken lots of photos at once, and one turned out better than the others? And did you wonder why this happened?
I can answer yes to all those questions.
And I’m always reading articles about how changing the aperture can improve a picture’s this, or lowering the ISO can improve a picture’s that. But, really, when I’m trying to get shots of the kids, I’m lucky to be able to get the lens cap off before I start shooting, let alone pay attention to how my camera is setting things that I barely understand.
But there is a way to do some retrospective analysis of what went into a good shot, when the kids are in bed and you have the leisure to use some of those higher thinking skills! Use the EXIF data.
What is EXIF Data?
EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) data is information recorded by digital cameras about the camera settings and shooting conditions for a particular shot. When you move the picture from your camera to your computer, the EXIF data goes with it.
What Kind of Information is Stored in EXIF Data?
There is lots of info available here, much of which I don’t understand. I even hear that some of the new cameras have GPS systems that will record the exact location of the picture in the EXIF data. Here are some of the data points that I do find useful:
- Camera type
- Date & time of picture
- Length of exposure
- F Number
- Shutter speed
- ISO speed
- Flash firing status
- Focal length
I’m not likely to remember any of these items after taking a picture, but they all provide helpful info about why a picture turned out as it did.
How Do I Access EXIF Data?
There are at least 3 ways to access this information:
- While reviewing the picture in my camera, I can see it by pressing the Info button.
- Viewing pictures in Windows Explorer on a PC, right click on the picture, select Properties, and then go to the Details tab.
- With the picture active in Photoshop Elements, go to the File menu, select File Info and Camera Data 1.
I know this can be done on Macs, but I’m not sure how. Can anyone help with that?
How Can I Use EXIF Data?
Consider two pictures that were taken in similar conditions. One looks better than the other. These two pictures were taken in the same place, just a couple of minutes apart. I know that the natural light did not change significantly between the two shots. However, one of these pictures is much darker than the other. Look at the difference in the sky and how much darker the girls’ faces appear in the image on the left.
Using EXIF Data to Analyze Photos
When I look at the EXIF data, I see two major differences. The shutter speed in the darker shot is 1/80 second, and the f-stop is f/11. In the lighter picture, the shutter speed is 1/200 and the f-stop is f/4.2.
Now, I know that shutter speed is inversely related to aperture size as measured by the f-stop. This means that when one gets bigger, the other gets smaller. And I do remember playing with the aperture to see which f-stop would yield better results. So changing the aperture changed the shutter speed as well.
And the EXIF data tells me that the f/4.2 aperture size was definitely better for the light just before sunset at this location. Next time, I’ll know!
Analyzing the EXIF data works really well with the way I learn. I can read 47 times in blogs and books that smaller f-stop numbers let in more light, but that’s never going to click in my mind until I do it myself.
I also love the date and time function of the EXIF data. I’m already 4 years behind on Big Girl’s first scrapbook. By the time I get around to assembling it, there’s no way I’ll remember which year each shot came from. I just hope I get around to assembling her scrapbooks before I forget her name too. . . . .
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