File Organization Using EXIF Information

Photo files contain rich metadata (EXIF information) such as shooting date, camera model, GPS location.

Using this information, you can classify files many times more efficiently than manual organization.

This article thoroughly explains from EXIF basics to practical applications.

What is EXIF Information?

Exchangeable Image File Format

EXIF is a metadata standard automatically recorded in images shot with digital cameras and smartphones.

Main EXIF Information

1. Shooting Date Related

- Shooting Date/Time (DateTimeOriginal)
- Create Date
- Modify Date
- Timezone

Application:

• Automatic classification into date-based folders
• Organization by travel/events
• Chronological archiving

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2. Camera Information

- Camera Maker (Make)
- Camera Model (Model)
- Serial Number
- Firmware Version

Application:

• Folder separation by camera model
• Automatic identification of main/sub cameras
• Equipment-specific example management

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3. Shooting Settings

- ISO Sensitivity
- Shutter Speed
- Aperture Value (F-number)
- Exposure Compensation
- White Balance
- Flash Usage

Application:

• Analysis folder for high ISO shooting
• Example organization by aperture value
• Bokeh verification classification

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4. Lens Information

- Lens Maker
- Lens Model
- Focal Length
- Maximum Aperture

Application:

• Lens-specific example folders
• Organization by focal length
• Portfolio creation

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5. GPS Information

- Latitude
- Longitude
- Altitude
- Location Name (some models)

Application:

• Shooting location-specific folders
• Travel destination organization
• Map integration

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How to Check EXIF Information

macOS Standard (Finder)

Steps:

1. Right-click image file
2. Select "Get Info"
3. Open "More Info" tab

Limitations: ❌ Can't see detailed EXIF info ❌ Can't check in batch

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Terminal (exiftool)

Install:

brew install exiftool

Usage:

# Display all EXIF info
exiftool IMG_0001.JPG

# Display only shooting date
exiftool -DateTimeOriginal IMG_0001.JPG

# Batch check multiple files
exiftool -r *.JPG

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DockBuddy Organizer

Steps:

1. Select files
2. DockBuddy auto-reads EXIF info
3. Auto-classification based on rules

Advantages:

• Simple GUI
• Automatic EXIF utilization
• Organization completed in one go

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Folder Structures Using EXIF

Pattern 1: By Shooting Date (Basic)

DockBuddy Settings:
Sorting Rule 1: EXIF Shooting Date → Year Folder (YYYY)
Sorting Rule 2: EXIF Shooting Date → Month Folder (MM)
Sorting Rule 3: EXIF Shooting Date → Day Folder (DD)

Result:
Photos/
├── 2025/
│   ├── 01/
│   │   ├── 01/
│   │   ├── 15/
│   │   └── 20/

Use: Daily photo management

Learn more: How to Automatically Organize Photos by Date

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Pattern 2: By Camera Model

DockBuddy Settings:
Sorting Rule 1: EXIF Camera Model → Folder

Result:
Photos/
├── Canon_EOS_R5/
│   ├── 2025-01-15/
│   └── 2025-01-20/
├── Sony_α7IV/
│   ├── 2025-01-15/
│   └── 2025-01-22/
└── iPhone_15_Pro/
    └── 2025-01-18/

Use: Multiple camera users, equipment-specific examples

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Pattern 3: Lens-Specific Examples

DockBuddy Settings:
Sorting Rule 1: EXIF Lens Model → Folder

Result:
Examples/
├── Canon_RF_24-70mm_F2.8/
│   ├── Portrait/
│   └── Landscape/
├── Canon_RF_70-200mm_F2.8/
│   └── Sports/
└── Canon_RF_50mm_F1.2/
    └── Bokeh_Test/

Use: Lens reviews, purchase consideration, portfolio

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Use Cases: EXIF Applications

Case 1: Wedding Photographer

Content:

• Main Camera: Canon EOS R5
• Sub Camera: Sony α7 IV
• 3,000 photos each, 6,000 total

DockBuddy Settings:

Sorting Rules:
1. EXIF Shooting Date → Time-based
   └ 10:00-12:00 → Ceremony/
   └ 12:00-16:00 → Reception/

2. EXIF Camera Model → Camera-based
   └ Canon → Main_Camera/
   └ Sony → Sub_Camera/

3. Extension → RAW/JPEG separation

Processing time: Manual 1 hour → DockBuddy minutes

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Summary: Smart Organization with EXIF

Using EXIF information enables tens of times more efficient photo classification than manual organization.

Why DockBuddy is Recommended

• ✅ All EXIF fields supported
• ✅ Complex conditions easily set via GUI
• ✅ Fallback function for safety without EXIF
• ✅ One-time purchase, no monthly fees

Revolutionize photo organization with EXIF power.

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Related Articles

• How to Automatically Organize Photos by Date
• How to Batch Separate RAW and JPEG
• Multi-Camera File Organization
• How to Efficiently Organize Digital Camera Files

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Get Started Now

DockBuddy Organizer is available on Mac App Store.

Experience automatic organization maximizing EXIF information.