Changing the File Info (Metadata) on Multiple Images

What if I told you a story about how much I love adding or changing the file info (aka metadata) on my photos and images? You'd think I was a liar and you'd be right on. However, when I first started working with the file info for each image, I quickly thought to myself that there's got to be a better way (and there is).

Step One

In Bridge, navigate until you see a group of images for which you'd like to change the file info. Select one of the photo thumbnails and then press-and-hold the Command (PC: Control) key and click to select multiple images.

©MATT KLOSKOWSKI

Step Two

Look in the Metadata palette at the bottom of the Panel area. You'll see File Properties at the top of the palette, but you won't be able to change any of these items. Right below that you'll see IPTC Core, and below that you'll see Camera Data (EXIF). You can change the IPTC Core data, but not the Camera Data. So, click once on the Creator item at the top of the IPTC Core section. You will receive a warning dialog alerting you that you're about to edit the information on multiple photos. Click Yes to dismiss this warning.

©MATT KLOSKOWSKI

Turbo Boost

If you're the organized type, then you may want to see your file info in a categorized way. Instead of using the Metadata palette, you can always select the photos you'd like to change, choose File>File Info, and add your information in the resulting dialog. For me, the palette is just faster to access and it lets me stay in the same view where I can see all of my photos.

Don't bother trying to edit data that is not editable. You'll know which data you can edit because it'll have a little pencil icon next to it. No pencil means no changing.

Step Three

You'll see that all of the editable fields now turn into small text boxes. Go ahead and enter the information that is needed for your images. In this example, I've entered my name in the Creator field, as well as my email and website addresses in those fields. I've also entered in the Copyright Notice field, "Copyright 2005 Matt Kloskowski."

Turbo Boost

Want to see your photos on a black background in Bridge? Just go to Bridge's General Preferences and move the Background slider all the way to the left (toward Black).

Step Four

Click outside of the Metadata palette to save your settings (or just click the Apply checkmark at the bottom of the palette). When you click outside of the palette, you will receive a warning dialog asking if you want to apply the metadata changes to the selected files. Just click Apply. Now the text boxes will be gone and your metadata fields will reflect the information entered.

The warning dialogs that keep popping up can get annoying. When they pop up for the first time, feel free to turn on the Don't Show Again checkbox if you feel comfortable not seeing them every time you try to make a change. Trust me, it's a little thing that will save you a ton of time.

Turbo Boost

You can show or hide the details under each thumbnail in Bridge by pressing Command-T (PC: Control-T).