rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

There has been a bit of discussion with regard to including EXIF information in posted photographs. I, personally, am in the camp that it is important information for the photographer and not the person viewing the photograph. There is nothing to be gained by viewing EXIF information other than the lens, shutter, and ISO which are factual.

However, the information is useless when another is trying to use the same settings for a similar scene. Why? Because without knowing the photographer's intent and processing procedures, the information is just numbers. These numbers can be very misleading. Where in the scene did the photographer meter? Was additional exposure used? If so, how much?

The arguments for are usually of the nature that one can learn from seeing the EXIF information. Outside of which camera, lens, shutter speed, and ISO, how can one learn from that information? There's more to it than that, lots more. There's the photographer's visualization of the scene and the steps necessary to get to that vision. Those are things not obtainable through EXIF data. Thus, the reason I don't include EXIF information 99.9% of the time.

I will state that this SOOC image is exactly what I wanted at the time I took this photograph.
--Bob

SOOC

(Download)

BebuLamar

I agree with you on the usefulness of the EXIF but if I shoot digital and the EXIF is there I don't touch it. I am not going to remove it or change it.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I just post an image. The EXIF never crosses my mind at all.
I never look at it when editing either. I just edit.
But it's possible I could be curious about what focal length was used.
But rarely.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

Personally, I find EXIF data useful. I also make sure that my copyright info is located in it along with some sort of contact info so that if anyone finds my low res images and wants to use it, it gives them an opportunity to find me to buy a full res file.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Though, I also have EXIF information attached to my Large Format images, as well as that information stored in notebooks.
--Bob

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

It would be interesting to know how you find it useful. I do agree with © information and include that with my posts.
--Bob

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

"Inquiring Minds Want to Know!" Remember that line? I admit, when someone posts to this forum and has a question about their image, I check Friedl's site and look at their Metadata. Sometimes I find it useful to know what's there. Other than that, "Not my department!"

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I spend a lot of time adding / creating EXIF data to my film scans. One part is to share that info, but more important is for me to compare and recall this information in future, especially in searching my LR catalog. Even with my best intensions, I can't shoot and keep detailed notes beyond the shooting date, film and lens. I've settled on the EOS 1v as much for the data-capture as the ability to share lenses with my DSLR. The digital cameras capture all this automatically to a richer depth and breadth of values.

I never would have thought someone would try to dial in the same shutter, aperture and ISO to try to recreate an image. Maybe my brain isn't big enough to imagine that idea, certainly not to worry about it. All my images are edited, so at best, the EXIF reflects the starting point, not the finish, similar to Bob's example above. Sometimes, I do get comments from others expressing amazement at the slow shutterspeeds I'm willing to use. Maybe it was IS on that lens, maybe it was a tripod or monopod that don't show in the EXIF.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I agree, Paul. I keep meticulous notes, especially with LF photographs. That is due to needing to know the specific processing times.

I have seen a number of posts stating the idea of learning from reading the EXIF data. That is my main contention here. How does one learn from the initial capture settings?

Oh, I should post the final print of that example image.
--Bob

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

My 'argument' about EXIF data is not whether it's useful or not; but rather, if someone finds EXIF data useful, it's their responsibility to learn how to obtain the data themselves, not asking others to give it to them. It is March 27, 2021 after all.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

I like to have the shot data easily accessible. I learn from every image, mine and other people’s, so having ISO, SS, f stop, EC handy reminds what I did, how I did it and what to do, and not do in the future.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

--Bob

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I can agree with the importance of one's own EXIF information. That's why I keep written records.

However, as per the example, how would knowing the EXIF data help someone else trying to take a similar photograph?
--Bob

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

That's the key! The original image, which most likely is not what anyone will be viewing.
Once edited, most EXIF info regarding the image is worthless.

And if someone wants to duplicate an image using the settings in the EXIF,
they will need the SAME lighting conditions!
Then edit the image in the same manner.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Agree completely.
--Bob