AddExif

A Python console utility for managing EXIF metadata in JPEG images.

Installation

python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install -r dependencies.txt

Usage

Scan for common EXIF data

Extract EXIF tags that have identical values across all images:

python -m addexif scan .                             # Current folder
python -m addexif scan /path/to/images -r            # Recursive
python -m addexif scan . -o custom_exif.yaml         # Custom output

Write EXIF data to images

Apply EXIF metadata from YAML to images without existing EXIF:

python -m addexif write . exif.yaml                  # Write to images without EXIF
python -m addexif write . exif.yaml -fw              # Force overwrite existing EXIF
python -m addexif write . exif.yaml -fw -k           # Overwrite YAML tags only
python -m addexif write . exif.yaml -r               # Recursive
python -m addexif write . exif.yaml -d               # Preview changes (dry run)
python -m addexif write . exif.yaml -d -fw -k -r     # Dry run with all options

YAML Format

Flat key-value structure:

DateTimeOriginal: 2024-01-15T10:30:00
Make: Canon
Model: EOS 5D Mark IV

Datetime values support placeholders:

• %CURRENT% — current system date/time
• %FILE% — file creation time
• %FILE_CREATION% — file creation time
• %FILE_MODIFICATION% — file modification time

Tip: Use -d flag with write command to preview how placeholders will be expanded:

python -m addexif write . exif.yaml -d

See Also

• CLAUDE.md — detailed project structure and design decisions