View and edit metadata

1 Making memories

In the IOS and Mac versions of Photos you can view shots that have been grouped via metadata. Tap ‘For You’ to view Memories created from time, place and face data.

2 Import image

Any adjustments made to a photo’s colours, tones and composition are also stored as metadata. Import our ‘Metadata_start.jpg’ file into your Mac’s Photos app.

3 Get info

If you scroll down you’ll see that the image’s metadata contains details of where it was captured. For more information click the ‘i’ icon to summon the Info panel.

4 Shooting settings

The panel contains camera settings used to capture the image. A fast shutter speed means our shot should be free of motion blur. The low ISO means no nasty picture noise.

5 Add description

The more information you add to the metadata, the easier the file will be to find. Type a title into the ‘Add A Title’ field and write a description – this info is searchable.

6 Add keywords

Type some keywords into the ‘Add A Keyword’ field, and use as many as you can. These tags can be searched using your Mac’s Finder or via a photo website’s search engine.

7 Export file and metadata

Choose File>export>export 1 Photo. In the Info panel, tick the box to include title, keywords and description. If you want to hide the location, untick ‘Location Information’.

8 Examine metadata

Export the file to your desktop. Click on its thumbnail and press cmd+i to see its metadata. Here you’ll see the keywords that you added, plus the GPS co-ordinates.

9 Geotag a shot

Import Geotag.jpg. This shot has no location info. Bring up Info, and in the ‘Assign A Location’ field, type ‘Blue Mosque’. Click the ‘Istanbul’ option to pin the photo on a map.