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_
number', 'flash', 'flashpix_version', 'focal_length', 'focal_length_in_35mm_film', 'get', 'get_file', 'get_thumbnail',
'gps_altitude', 'gps_altitude_ref', 'gps_datestamp', 'gps_dest_bearing', 'gps_dest_bearing_ref', 'gps_horizontal_
positioning_error', 'gps_img_direction', 'gps_img_direction_ref', 'gps_latitude', 'gps_latitude_ref', 'gps_longitude',
'gps_longitude_ref', 'gps_speed', 'gps_speed_ref', 'gps_timestamp', 'has_exif', '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_speed_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
>>>
>>> # Add new tags with Python "set" notation.
>>> from exif import LightSource
>>> my_image.light_source = LightSource.DAYLIGHT

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).