Stonely

Q: Export photos keeping creation date in iPhoto 11

How do I export photos in iPhoto 11 and keep the creation date for the exported photo?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Oct 18, 2011 5:31 AM

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Q: Export photos keeping creation date in iPhoto 11

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  • by Terence Devlin,Helpful

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin Oct 18, 2011 5:43 AM in response to Stonely
    Level 10 (139,572 points)
    iLife
    Oct 18, 2011 5:43 AM in response to Stonely

    There are two kinds of metadata involved when you consider  jpeg or other image file.

     

    One is the file data. This is what the Finder shows. This tells you nothing about the contents of the file, just the File itself.

     

    The problem with File metadata is that it can easily change as the file is moved from place to place or exported. Emiled, uploaded etc.

     

    Photgraphs have also got both Exif and IPTC metadata. The date and time that your camera snapped the Photograph is recorded in the Exif metadata. Regardless if what the file date says, this is the actual time recorded by the camera.

     

    Photo applications like iPhoto, Aperture, Lightroom, Picasa, Photoshop etc get their date and time from the Exif metadata.

     

    When you export from iPhoto to the Finder new file is created containing your Photo (and its Exif). The File date is - quite accurately - reported as the date of Export. However, the Photo Date doesn't change.

     

    The problem is that the Finder doesn't work with Exif.

     

    So, your photo has the correct date, and so does the file, but they are different things. To sort on the Photo date you'll need to use a photo app.

     

    Regards

     

     

    TD

  • by Stonely,

    Stonely Stonely Oct 18, 2011 6:40 AM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 18, 2011 6:40 AM in response to Terence Devlin

    Thank you for your thorough and succinct response to my question. Most impressive and appreciated.

     

    LS

  • by Karin Horn,

    Karin Horn Karin Horn May 22, 2016 3:34 PM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 22, 2016 3:34 PM in response to Terence Devlin

    Thank you so much for this information. I am in transition between iPhoto and Photos and have been frustrated when moving files from one app to the desktop to then import to the other app because the date changes to the current date. But I just imported the photo to the other app and it switched back to the original creation date. Your answer that the Finder can't display the creation is extremely helpful! I can proceed with moving files and not be concerned that my creation date is lost. Thanks again!

  • by Terence Devlin,

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin May 22, 2016 10:49 PM in response to Karin Horn
    Level 10 (139,572 points)
    iLife
    May 22, 2016 10:49 PM in response to Karin Horn
    . I am in transition between iPhoto and Photos and have been frustrated when moving files from one app to the desktop to then import to the other app

     

    Why do that and lose so much work you've already done? Just open the iPhoto Library with Photos and it will transition it for you.