Can I view full metadata in iPhoto?

Question

Can I view full metadata in iPhoto?

In iPhoto, when I display metadata (using "Show Photo Info"), the info displayed is only a small portion of complete metadata embedded in photos. I know the full metadata is being imported with the photos into iPhoto because I am able to view full metadata from photos exported from iPhoto and uploaded to FLICKR, or opened in Nikon ViewNX, etc.

I am using iPhoto '08. Do later versions of iPhoto display full metadata?

Thank you in advance for any help on this.

iMac (iMac8,1), Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Aug 24, 2012 5:36 PM

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Answer 1

LarryHN

Level 10

106,182 points

Aug 24, 2012 6:27 PM in response to Blonde Woman Stamping

No

Specifically what do you want to see that iPhoto '08 is not displaying?

LN

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Answer 2

Aug 25, 2012 7:26 AM in response to LarryHN

Larry,

Thank you for your response.

Specifically, for a project I'm working on right now, I want to be able to see the different recorded flash settings I was using. E.g., flash mode, flash power setting, any flash EV.

That flash metadata is embedded in my photos, but IPhoto is only telling me whether or not the flash was on.

If full metadata isn't available in iPhoto '08, would you happen to know if it is available in later versions?

Thank you again,

BWS

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Answer 3

Yer_Man

Level 10

166,274 points

Aug 25, 2012 9:06 AM in response to Blonde Woman Stamping

No, iPhoto only works with a subset of Exif. You won't get that level of detail with later versions either.

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Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

217,136 points

Aug 25, 2012 9:54 AM in response to Blonde Woman Stamping

Try using EXIF Viewer. You can drag the photo from the iPhoto open window onto the EXIF Viewer icon in the Dock and you'll get this window:

The screenshot is for a simple Canon so the flash info is basic. If you camera offers more flash info it might be readable. Give it a try. You can download it from Toad's Cellar.

OT

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Answer 5

Aug 26, 2012 9:34 AM in response to Yer_Man

Thanks for the info, Terence. Good to know for sure it's not available in any version of iPhoto (though I wish it were!!!).

BWS

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Answer 6

Aug 26, 2012 9:33 AM in response to Old Toad

Thanks, Old Toad

That might work. I'll take a look. Thanks for the link.

BWS

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Answer 7

Old Toad

Level 10

217,136 points

Aug 26, 2012 10:38 AM in response to Blonde Woman Stamping

Here's a comparison of the Info window from iPhoto 11 and iPhoto 8 showing the various EXIF and ITPC fields that iPhoto can display:

Control-click and select Open in New Window to view full size screenshot more easily.

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Answer 8

Aug 26, 2012 4:24 PM in response to Old Toad

Thanks, Old Toad,

Apple definitely cleaned up the display and made it more graphical in the latest version. Still, I would trade that for full data. I'm mystified why they don't make the full data available through the iPhoto interface.

BWS

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