Read and modify image EXIF metadata using Python without any third-party software dependencies. For example, batch process image metadata using a Python script.
Open an image with EXIF metadata using the Python open() built-in function. Ensure the
binary mode flag is set. Pass this image file object into the exif.Image class:
>>> from exif import Image
>>> with open('grand_canyon.jpg', 'rb') as image_file:
... my_image = Image(image_file)
...
>>> my_image.has_exif
True
List EXIF attributes using the Python dir() builtin function:
>>> dir(my_image) ['<unknown EXIF tag 59932>', '<unknown EXIF tag 59933>', '_exif_ifd_pointer', '_gps_ifd_pointer', '_segments', 'aperture _value', 'brightness_value', 'color_space', 'components_configuration', 'compression', 'datetime', 'datetime_digitized', 'datetime_original', 'exif_version', 'exposure_bias_value', 'exposure_mode', 'exposure_program', 'exposure_time', 'f_nu mber', 'flash', 'flashpix_version', 'focal_length', 'focal_length_in_35mm_film', 'get_file', 'gps_altitude', 'gps_altitu de_ref', 'gps_datestamp', 'gps_dest_bearing', 'gps_dest_bearing_ref', 'gps_horizontal_positioning_error', 'gps_img_direc tion', 'gps_img_direction_ref', 'gps_latitude', 'gps_latitude_ref', 'gps_longitude', 'gps_longitude_ref', 'gps_speed', ' gps_speed_ref', 'gps_timestamp', 'jpeg_interchange_format', 'jpeg_interchange_format_length', 'lens_make', 'lens_model', 'lens_specification', 'make', 'maker_note', 'metering_mode', 'model', 'orientation', 'photographic_sensitivity', 'pixel _x_dimension', 'pixel_y_dimension', 'resolution_unit', 'scene_capture_type', 'scene_type', 'sensing_method', 'shutter_sp eed_value', 'software', 'subject_area', 'subsec_time_digitized', 'subsec_time_original', 'white_balance', 'x_resolution', 'y_and_c_positioning', 'y_resolution']
Access EXIF metadata tags using Python attribute notation:
>>> # Read tags with Python "get" notation. >>> my_image.gps_latitude (36.0, 3.0, 11.08) >>> my_image.gps_longitude (112.0, 5.0, 4.18) >>> my_image.model 'iPhone 7' >>> >>> # Modify tags with Python "set" notation. >>> my_image.make = "Python" >>> >>> # Delete tags with Python "del" notation. >>> del my_image.gps_latitude >>> del my_image.gps_longitude
Write the image with modified EXIF metadata to an image file using open() in binary
write mode:
>>> with open('modified_image.jpg', 'wb') as new_image_file:
... new_image_file.write(my_image.get_file())
...
Refer to the usage page for information and examples of alternative ways to access EXIF tags (e.g. with index/item syntax or with methods).