- Select the image file and press Command + I.
- Navigate to the “General” section.
- Locate the “Date Taken” field.
Utilizing Third-Party Software
If the built-in methods don’t meet your needs, consider utilizing third-party software specifically designed for manipulating photo metadata, including date and time. These specialized applications offer a wide range of features and advanced options that may cater to your specific requirements.
Here are some popular third-party software options for changing date and time in photo properties:
To effectively use third-party software, follow these general steps:
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
Download and install the desired third-party software. |
| 2 |
Open the photo you want to modify in the software. |
| 3 |
Locate the section or tool that allows you to modify the date and time metadata. |
| 4 |
Make the necessary changes and save the modified photo. |
Remember to carefully check the software’s documentation and user guides for specific instructions and features. Some software may also offer additional options, such as synchronizing time across multiple photos, auto-correcting based on camera settings, and more.
Correcting Metadata via “Get Info”
For a more comprehensive metadata editing experience, right-click on the photo and select “Get Info” from the context menu. This will open an information window with multiple tabs, including the “Date & Time” tab. Here, you can manually set the capture date and time by adjusting the date and time fields directly.
Additionally, you can use the “Adjust Date & Time” button to perform more precise adjustments. Clicking this button will open a separate window that allows you to set the date and time in a calendar format. You can also choose to adjust the timezone and daylight savings settings.
Once you’ve made the necessary changes, simply click “OK” to save the updated metadata. It’s important to note that these changes are not permanent and can be reverted by repeating the same process.
Adjusting Time and Date Using “ExifTool”
“ExifTool” is a powerful command-line utility that can read and edit metadata from various file formats, including photos. It provides a straightforward way to modify the date and time information embedded in photo files. Follow these steps to use “ExifTool”:
Download and Install
1. Download “ExifTool” from its official website.
2. Install the software according to the instructions for your operating system.
Find the Correct ExifTool Path
1. Open a command prompt or terminal.
2. Type “exiftool” and press enter.
3. You should see a list of commands. If you get an error message, ensure the installation is correct or adjust your environment variables to include the ExifTool path.
Modify Date and Time
1. Navigate to the directory containing your photo files.
2. Use the following command to modify the date and time:
“`
exiftool “-DateTimeOriginal=2023:03:08 14:30:00” -overwrite_original [image_file_name]
“`
Replace “[image_file_name]” with the actual file name of your photo.
Additional Parameters
The “-DateTimeOriginal” parameter specifies the new date and time in the format “YYYY:MM:DD HH:MM:SS”. You can also use the following additional parameters:
| Parameter |
Description |
| -DateTimeDigitized |
Date and time the photo was taken |
| -ModifyDate |
Date and time the photo was last modified |
| -CreateDate |
Date and time the photo was created (not supported by all file formats) |
Setting Date and Time with “Pillow” Library
Python Imaging Library (Pillow) is a renowned image processing package that comes with a user-friendly interface. Through the exif module in Pillow, you can easily manipulate EXIF metadata, including the date and time attributes.
Steps:
1. Install Pillow:
In your terminal, run the command: pip install Pillow
2. Import the Pillow module:
In your Python script, import the Image class from Pillow: from PIL import Image
3. Open the Image:
Use the open() method to load the image file and store it in a variable, e.g., im = Image.open("image.jpg")
4. Get the EXIF Data:
Access the EXIF dictionary using exif = im.getexif(). If the image has no EXIF data, it returns None.
5. Modify the Date and Time Attributes:
To change the date and time, navigate to the ‘DateTimeOriginal’ and ‘DateTimeDigitized’ keys. The format is ‘YYYY:MM:DD HH:MM:SS’, e.g., exif['DateTimeOriginal'] = '2023:05:18 12:30:00'
6. Update the EXIF Data:
After modifying the EXIF dictionary, use im.setexif(exif) to update the metadata in the image.
7. Save the Image:
To apply the changes permanently, save the image with im.save("image.jpg")
| Python Code |
# Description |
from PIL import Image
im = Image.open("image.jpg")
exif = im.getexif()
exif['DateTimeOriginal'] = '2023:05:18 12:30:00'
exif['DateTimeDigitized'] = '2023:05:18 12:30:00'
im.setexif(exif)
im.save("image.jpg")
|
This code snippet demonstrates the entire process of modifying the date and time attributes of an image using the Pillow library.
|
Modifying Exif Data via “ImageMagick”
ImageMagick is an open-source software suite used for image processing. Here’s a detailed guide to using ImageMagick to change the date and time in photo properties:
1. Install ImageMagick
Install ImageMagick for your operating system from the official website.
2. Identify the Photo’s Original Date
Use the “ExifTool” command to extract the original date and time from the photo:
“`
exiftool -CreateDate “-:CreateDate” [path_to_photo]
“`
3. Convert Date to Unix Timestamp
Convert the original date to a Unix timestamp using an online converter or the following command:
“`
date -d “[original_date_and_time]” +”%s”
“`
4. Change Date and Time in ImageMagick
Use the “mogrify” command to change the date and time in the photo:
“`
mogrify -set creation-date “[unix_timestamp]” -set modify-date “[unix_timestamp]” [path_to_photo]
“`
5. Verify the Changes
Use “ExifTool” again to verify the new date and time in the photo:
“`
exiftool -CreateDate “-:CreateDate” [path_to_photo]
“`
6. Additional Notes
If you encounter any issues when using “exiftool”, ensure that it is properly installed and up-to-date. Additionally, some photos may have multiple date fields; you can specify the specific field you want to change using the “-DateTimeOriginal” or “-ModifyDate” options in the “mogrify” command. The following table summarizes the available syntax:
| Option |
Description |
| -set creation-date |
Sets the photo’s creation date |
| -set modify-date |
Sets the photo’s modification date |
| -DateTimeOriginal |
Specifies the EXIF “Date/Time Original” field |
| -ModifyDate |
Specifies the EXIF “Modify Date” field |
Correcting Time and Date with Windows
If your photos have incorrect timestamps, you can easily correct them using the Windows operating system. Here are the steps:
1. Open the Image File
Locate the image file you want to edit and double-click on it to open it in the Photos app.
2. Click on the “Info” Tab
Click on the “Info” tab located at the top of the Photos app window.
3. Find the “Date Taken” Section
Scroll down until you find the “Date Taken” section.
4. Click on the Date and Time
Click on the date and time next to “Date Taken” to edit it.
5. Enter the Correct Date and Time
Use the calendar and time picker to enter the correct date and time when the photo was taken.
6. Save the Changes
Click on the “Save” button to save the changes.
7. Advanced Options for Date and Time Correction
If the “Date Taken” section is not available or the timestamps are still incorrect, you can use the following advanced options:
| Option |
Description |
| File Properties |
Right-click on the image file, select “Properties,” and then navigate to the “Details” tab to edit the date and time.
|
| Exif Metadata Editor |
Download and install an Exif metadata editor software and use it to manually edit the timestamps in your photos.
|
| Command Line Tools (Windows) |
Use command line tools such as “exiftool” or “nk” to modify the date and time information in your photos through the command prompt.
|
Setting Time and Date with macOS
Adjusting the time and date in photo properties on macOS ensures accurate metadata and proper organization of your images. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Locate the photo whose date and time you want to change.
2. Right-click on the photo and select “Get Info” from the context menu.
3. Click the “More Info” tab in the info panel.
4. Find the “Date/Time” section.
5. Click the “Modify Date” button.
6. Use the calendar and time picker to set the desired date and time.
7. Optionally, adjust the “Time Zone” and “Offset” fields to ensure accurate time zone conversion.
8. Once the date and time are set, make sure to click the “OK” button. This will apply your changes and modify the photo’s properties. Here’s a more detailed explanation of the options available in the “Date/Time” section:
| Option |
Description |
| Date Created |
Displays the date and time when the photo was originally created. |
| Date Modified |
Displays the date and time when the photo was last modified or edited. |
| Date Captured |
Displays the date and time when the photo was taken, if available from the camera’s metadata. |
| Time Zone |
Specifies the time zone of the date and time being displayed. |
| Offset |
Adjusts the time by a specified number of hours or minutes. |
Using the Metadata Panel in Lightroom
To change the date and time in photo properties using the Metadata Panel in Lightroom, follow these steps:
- Open the photo in Lightroom.
- Go to the Library module.
- Select the photo you want to edit.
- Click on the Metadata panel on the right-hand side of the window.
- Scroll down to the Date and Time section.
- Click on the calendar icon to change the date.
- Click on the clock icon to change the time.
- Enter the new date and time in the fields provided.
- To apply the changes, click on the Save button at the bottom of the Metadata panel.
Note: If the Date and Time section is not visible in the Metadata panel, click on the Metadata Presets menu and select Show Date and Time.
| Field |
Description |
| Capture Date |
The date the photo was taken. |
| Capture Time |
The time the photo was taken. |
| Date/Time Original |
The original date and time the photo was taken. |
| Date/Time Digitized |
The date and time the photo was scanned or otherwise digitized. |
| Date/Time Modified |
The date and time the photo was last modified. |
| GPS Date |
The date the GPS information was recorded. |
| GPS Time |
The time the GPS information was recorded. |
Preserving Original Metadata
When editing a photo’s date and time properties, preserving the original metadata is crucial to maintain its authenticity and integrity. Here are some guidelines:
- Use a Reputable Editing Tool: Opt for photo editing software that allows for non-destructive editing, preserving the original metadata.
- Create a Copy: Before making any changes, create a duplicate of the photo to avoid altering the original file.
- Check Metadata Compatibility: Ensure the editing tool supports reading and writing metadata formats compatible with your camera and photo storage system.
- Confirm Accuracy: Double-check the new date and time information to ensure its accuracy before saving.
- Consider Future Use: Remember that metadata can be used for future reference, such as tracking photo history or finding images with specific dates.
- Limit Changes: Avoid making unnecessary changes to metadata, as it could impact the photo’s authenticity and value.
- Use a Consistent Workflow: Establish a standard workflow for handling metadata to maintain consistency and avoid errors.
- Document Changes: Keep a record of any changes made to the photo’s metadata for future reference and transparency.
- Utilize Metadata Software: Consider using dedicated metadata editing software to manage and preserve photo metadata efficiently.
- Train Yourself: Familiarize yourself with metadata formats, editing techniques, and best practices to ensure proper handling of metadata.
How To Change Date And Time In Photo Properties
To change the date and time in the photo properties, follow these simple steps:
- Right-click the photo you want to change the date and time for and select “Properties.”
- In the “Properties” window, click on the “Details” tab.
- Find the “Date Taken” field and click on the calendar icon to select the new date.
- Click on the clock icon to select the new time.
- Click “OK” to save the changes.
People Also Ask About How To Change Date And Time In Photo Properties
How can I change the date and time on multiple photos at once?
You can use a program like ExifTool to change the date and time on multiple photos at once. This program is free and open source, and it can be used on both Windows and Mac computers.
Can I change the date and time on photos taken with my phone?
Yes, you can change the date and time on photos taken with your phone. To do this, you can use a photo editing app like Photoshop or GIMP. These apps allow you to change the metadata of your photos, including the date and time.
Why would I want to change the date and time on my photos?
There are several reasons why you might want to change the date and time on your photos. For example, you might want to:
- Correct a mistake that you made when taking the photo.
- Organize your photos by date and time.
- Protect your privacy by removing the date and time from your photos.
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