Scribbles and Snaps

In addition to writing tags, ratings, labels, descriptions, etc. directly into the photos, version 2.0 of digiKam can save metadata in a separate .xmp file. This approach has several advantages. First off, it speeds things up, as writing data to a text file is faster than embedding metadata into photos. This also allows you to store metadata for RAW files, since writing metadata directly to RAW files can sometimes be problematic.

The feature that allows digiKam to store metadata in .xmp files is called XMP sidecar. To enable it, choose Settings » Configure digiKam, switch to the Metadata section, and select the desired option from the Metadata Writing Mode drop-down list. You can choose between Write the XMP sidecar only and Writer to image and XMP sidecar. Tick then the Read Metadata from XMP sidecar files check box, hit OK to save the settings, and you are done.

Inside each digital photo hides metadata in the EXIF, IPTC, or XMP formats, and digiKam provides tools for viewing and editing this useful information.

For starters, digiKam’s main window features the dedicated Metadata sidebar which lets you view EXIF, Makernote, IPTC, and XMP metadata. You can switch between concise and full views as well as print the metadata, save them as a file, and copy them into the clipboard.

You can use the Caption/Tags sidebar to edit basic metadata such as caption (i.e., the photo’s title), author, date and time as well as assign the photo ratings and tags. The Information section of the sidebar allows you to enter additional information about the photo such as licensing terms, location, and contact info. Since digiKam supports templates, you don’t have to enter this information manually. You can apply an existing template to the photo by selecting it from the Template drop-down list. To create a template on the fly, press the Edit button next to the drop-down list.

digiKam offers metadata editing tools, too. To edit, for example, EXIF metadata, choose Image » Metadata » Edit EXIF. The metadata editor conveniently organizes all metadata into sections, making it easier to find and edit specific entries. For example, to edit hardware-related information, switch to the Device section. Here you can modify device manufacturer, device model, exposure-related settings, and other information.

Using the Image » Metadata » Import EXIF command, you can copy EXIF metadata from one photo to another. This feature can come in handy when you use an image editing application that strips all metadata from the edited photo. If you keep the original photo, you can easily copy the EXIF metadata from it into the tweaked photo.

Want to strip all EXIF metadata off the photo? digiKam’s got you covered: choose the Image » Metadata » Remove EXIF command, and digiKam scrubs the metadata off the photo.

In addition to EXIF, digiKam supports the IPTC and XMP formats, so you can perform the described actions on metadata stored in these formats.

The life expectancy of a DSLR camera is usually measured in shutter actuations. For example, Nikon D5000 is good for about 100,000 shutter clicks. That doesn’t mean that your camera dies the day it exceeds its shutter actuation limit, but the shutter count provides a good indication of the camera’s condition.

While none of the major camera manufacturers provide an in-camera feature for checking the shutter count value, you can use digiKam to do that. Double-click on the most recent photo taken with your camera to open it in the preview pane. Press the Metadata button on the right side of the main window to show the Metadata sidebar. Click on the Makernote tab, and press the Full List button. Scroll down the list to locate the Shutter Count entry and its value. Keep in mind, though, that Shutter Count is a proprietary tag, so it may or may not be supported by your specific camera model.

By the way, if you are curious about the real life expectancy of your particular camera model, check the excellent Camera Shutter Life Expectancy Database resource.