When I export a photo from the Photo Library in the Photos app to my hard drive, the date in the metadata ("Get Info" section) changes on the exported copy. The original date stays intact in the Photo Library; it seems to be the export causing the problem.
What's causing this, and how can I fix it?
I'm on an iMac2019 running Ventura 13.4, Photos version 8.0 (551.0.140)
iMac 27″, macOS 13.4
If you choose to Export > Unmodified original from Photos, then it will retain the Date/Time of the original image, and the DateTimeOriginal EXIF data would be unchanged. If you just Export > Photo, then the operating system will change its creation/modification dates to the current timeframe as a new image being written to the filesystem.
Apologies for redundant information.
If you choose to Export > Unmodified original from Photos, then it will retain the Date/Time of the original image, and the DateTimeOriginal EXIF data would be unchanged. If you just Export > Photo, then the operating system will change its creation/modification dates to the current timeframe as a new image being written to the filesystem.
Apologies for redundant information.
There are two creation dates associated with an image file: the image/content creation data and the file creation date. The file data changed whenever you crested a new file by exporting, copying to another volume, etc.
The image creation date remains the same (unless it's changed manually by an EXIF metadata capable editor). The Finder only sees the file creation data except when it's in the Column view:
Then you can see the image/content creation date.
You’re creating a new file when you export. The picture taken date remains in the metadata but the file date is the date it was created.
If you import pictures from the camera using Apple's Image Capture and on into Photos, the creation/modification date on the image is the EXIF DateTimeOriginal value. If the images make their way onto the Mac by any other means, they will get stamped by the operating system with the current System date/time, which follows them into Photos even if the internal EXIF data is different.
Thanks for your speedy reply.
That sounds logical, but I'm exporting the photos today (June 11) and a date of June 7 is being assigned to some (but not all) of them in the "Get Info" section. ?! It seems to be the photos that were taken on May 14 that are being re-assigned a June 7 date.
I need to retain the original date as proof of when the photo was taken. Any idea how to do that and still export a copy?
Barney is correct. Since it's possible to modify the EXIF data, you can change the "date" it was taken to anything you like. The only way it would be proof is if someone didn't know it can be changed.
For a minute I thought perhaps if you needed proof of when a photo was taken you could use the SD card from the camera. But that can be changed as well. Looks like the only way to prove when a photo was actually taken is if the time and date are contain in the photo itself.
Thanks for your answer.
I did export the photos as unmodified originals -- precisely to preserve the original metadata. What was curious was that, for some photos, the original date was preserved after export; but for others (mostly from the prior month), the date was changed. Seems random, but I know there's gotta be an explanation! :-)
Yeah, I think you're right. If I continue to need to have a date/time stamp, I'll probably just buy another point-and-shoot camera that has that feature. Used to have a Nikon Coolpix that worked great for that purpose.
This would be an interesting opportunity for an enterprising developer or for the Apple product team: make available an optional setting in the iPhone to display the date/time on the image itself, as well as in the metadata.
For people who enjoy jumping through hoops, I found this app. Too much trouble for the average, casual user: https://certi.photo/en
Wyken Pippin wrote:
For people who enjoy jumping through hoops, I found this app. Too much trouble for the average, casual user: https://certi.photo/en
If you only take photos with an iPhone it seems like a great idea if you need proof.
The "poofed point" was my light-hearted observation that Apple/Photos app doesn't currently have a feature to lock in the original metadata when a file is exported. I received an Apple Support Communities notification informing me that my comment had been removed because it was speculative, and therefore violated the Community's Terms of Use.
I have an AppleScript here that specifically snags the EXIF DateTimeOriginal value from a selected image, where EXIF data is stored. Simpler than the Python3 or Swift applications I have that display the entire EXIF/IPTC/GPS data in a scrollable window.
VikingOSX wrote:
If you import pictures from the camera using Apple's Image Capture and on into Photos, the creation/modification date on the image is the EXIF DateTimeOriginal value…
The thing is, any of it can be modified/falsified.
What does the content creation date say?
It really doesn’t matter. You can alter that, too. There is no “proof” of when it was taken.
One example, a recent photo taken with a Leica M11, date changed to 1947…
Exporting photo from Photos app changes its original date
