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Metadata manipulation tools

Working with metadata is not difficult. More than anything, success in the realm of metadata requires a true acceptance of its importance, as well as the willingness to play around with different programs. The most common photographic applications for working with images are all quickly evolving their ability to apply and edit metadata. However, some lesser-known scripts and applications add functionality and solve specific problems, including embedding the file name in the IPTC “Title” field; adding functionality to Bridge; easily accessing metadata with Jeffrey’s Exif Viewer; and printing metadata directly on the border of prints.

Embedding the File name in the IPTC “Title” Field

As illustrated by the stories in “File names: Critical and Misunderstood Basic Metadata,” there are critical, timesaving reasons to embed a copy of an image’s original file name in a secondary metadata field. David Riecks has created a Web page that provides instructions to automate this process as well as links to additional resources.

Pimp Your Bridge!

Peter Krogh has modified the free “File name to Title” script that was authored by John Beardsworth. This script adds a Bridge menu item that allows photographers to automatically enter their image file names into the IPTC “Title” field.

Krogh also makes available and offers insight into using the “Import From Camera Script.” This script was written by Adobe for CS2, and is the precursor of the Photo Downloader ingestion program that is now part of Bridge CS3. Both these scripts can be found on “Pimp My Bridge!” section of his Krogh’s DAM Useful Web site.

Jeffrey’s Exif Viewer — Reading Metadata The Easy Way

Photoshop’s File Info dialog box is the default way that most photographers view the standard metadata embedded in an image file, although many browsers and digital assent management programs will do equally well or better. However, all of these methods require the right software, as well as time and proper training, which many clients do not have. Jeffrey Friedl has created an online application that comes to the rescue.

Jeffery’s Exif Viewer is a free, Web-based application that is easy to use. The application parses out an incredible amount of metadata from any image file one is likely to encounter, whether online or on a hard drive. An Exif Viewer icon can even serve as a button on Firefox or Safari browsers, allowing you (or your client) to click “Exif” to view metadata from images found online. Additional insights about this tool can be found on Friedl’s blog.

Making Your Metadata Visible in Prints

Photoshop guru Russell Brown has created the Dr. Brown’s Caption Maker, a script that allows photographers to print image files with the information from up to nine different metadata fields printed on the borders. By easily making invisible metadata visible, Caption Maker helps photographers both organize their collections and more effectively communicate image information — including specific usage rights — with clients. Caption Maker is part of a suite of Photoshop scripts called Dr. Brown Services 1.9.2, which is available as a free download from the Tips and Techniques section of Dr. Brown’s Web site. The site includes an excellent, easy-to-understand QuickTime movie explaining how to use Caption Maker.

 

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