Editing Keywords Metadata in Apple Photos using ExifTool

As an avid photographer, managing and organizing your image files can be a daunting task. One effective way to do so is by utilizing keywords metadata within the file itself. However, this process may require some technical expertise, especially when working with specific software like Apple Photos on Mac. In this article, we'll explore how you can use ExifTool 12.68 to read, write, and edit keywords metadata in image files stored inside an Apple Photos library.

For those unfamiliar with ExifTool, it's a powerful command-line utility that allows users to extract, add, or modify various types of metadata within digital images. This tool is particularly useful for managing large collections of photos across different platforms. In this case, we'll focus on using ExifTool 12.68 specifically designed for Apple Photos.

To begin with, you may need to install an earlier version of ExifTool due to the changes introduced in macOS 10.11 (El Capitan). This is because Exiftool's installation process was affected by this update. If you're running on a compatible Mac or have upgraded your operating system since then, you should be able to use the latest versions of ExifTool.

Now that we've covered the necessary setup, let's dive into how to utilize ExifTool for managing keywords metadata within Apple Photos:

1. Reading Keywords Metadata: To extract existing keyword information from an image file stored in your Apple Photos library, you can use a command like this:

```

exiftool -k input.jpg

```

This will display the current set of keywords associated with that particular photo.

2. Writing or Editing Keywords Metadata: Once you've extracted the existing metadata, you may want to add new tags or modify the existing ones. To do so, use a command like this:

```

exiftool -k input.jpg -Keywords+='New Tag'

```

This will append 'New Tag' as an additional keyword for that image file.

3. Searching and Organizing Images: After modifying your keywords metadata using ExifTool, you can then search and organize these images within Apple Photos based on the new tags. This allows you to easily locate specific photos or groups of photos by their associated keywords.

In conclusion, utilizing ExifTool 12.68 is a straightforward process for managing keywords metadata in image files stored inside an Apple Photos library. By following this guide, you'll be able to read, write, and edit these tags with ease, streamlining your workflow and enhancing the overall organization of your digital photos.

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