ExifTool Forum

ExifTool => Newbies => Topic started by: KingsCross on January 08, 2019, 03:44:03 PM

Title: Preserving original metadata tags & indicating that tags have been changed
Post by: KingsCross on January 08, 2019, 03:44:03 PM
ExifTool newbie here...

I am planning on adding EXIF date/time information using

exiftool "-alldates<filemodifydate"

I'm wondering what the best way is to preserve the original file modification date? Or perhaps preserve all the original metadata tags for future reference?

Similarly, is there a recommended method for indicating that the EXIF data was manually entered/calculated, rather than applied by the camera when the image was shot? Essentially, I want to make sure that I can figure out which photos had the metadata applied/edited after the fact.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Preserving original metadata tags & indicating that tags have been changed
Post by: StarGeek on January 08, 2019, 04:10:04 PM
Quote from: KingsCross on January 08, 2019, 03:44:03 PM
I'm wondering what the best way is to preserve the original file modification date?

Take a look at the -P (preserve) option (https://exiftool.org/exiftool_pod.html#P--preserve).

QuoteOr perhaps preserve all the original metadata tags for future reference?

Not within the file itself.   You can take a look at the Metadata Sidecar Files (https://www.exiftool.org/metafiles.html) page for some external options.  Specifically the "EXIF Files" section for EXIF data or the "MIE Files" for all metadata.  Also exiftool will automatically create a backup of any file unless the Overwrite_Original option (https://exiftool.org/exiftool_pod.html#overwrite_original) is used.

QuoteSimilarly, is there a recommended method for indicating that the EXIF data was manually entered/calculated, rather than applied by the camera when the image was shot? Essentially, I want to make sure that I can figure out which photos had the metadata applied/edited after the fact.

None that I've heard of.  It's pretty much something you would keep track of it yourself somehow.