The term meta has been co-opted in todays slang to mean aware of oneself.
Traditionally, the prefix concludes that the root word has transcended or is a more comprehensive form of itself.
It is literally data about data, a self-aware form of the basic information we deal with.
Contents
What is Included in Metadata?
It can be virtually anything.
Because it helps categorize data, keeping metadata is useful for more than just consumable products on the front-end.
For the back-end team graphic designers, developers, etc.
it can assist in the plan and preparation of products.
Image Metadata
One of the more popular digital objects for which to keep metadata is images.
Of course, this information has to be generated first.
EXIF stands for exchangeable image file format.
In other words, this metadata provides the controls for how to recreate that particular photos aesthetic.
Properties Metadata
If you are usingWindows Explorer, finding metadata is incredibly easy.
All you have to do isright-click > Properties > Details.
On aMacOS, download the image in question and open it with Preview.
Go toTools > Inspector.
The Inspector will display the properties of the file.
The best you’ve got the option to do is control + click > Inspect.
To view the properties of the photo, youll have to download an extension.
We chose theView Image Infoextension.
Navigate to theGoogle Chrome web store.
Search for view image info and youll see a few image options.
View Image Info does not have a thumbnail.
It is free to add.
cycle your surfing app.
Now,control + click > View Image Info.
Go ahead and select that option and a new screen will appear with the pictures metadata.
This extension can also be downloaded for free from theGoogle Chrome web store.
For purposes of this article we chose to testEXIF Viewer Classic, good for beginners.
Note that this extension only reads .jpg files.
If there is no EXIF data detected, a small notification will appear.
If there is EXIF data,control + click > View EXIF info.
You will be taken to the EXIF Data Viewer in a separate tab.
In Conclusion
When do I need to go looking for metadata, you ask?
The classic scenario is data entry and building libraries and automation systems for searches or input.
EXIF files can be pulled if you are a photographer looking to recreate a particular images look.
Then, of course, whenever you are curious.
This data is not just your run-of-the-mill superficial data.
This data is meta.
