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How to extract Windows EXIF Comments?

Peer3000 Member
in General support
Hello there!

I'm interested in extracting the comment string that is stored in picture files to the MySQL database.

Apparently, two types of commentstrings are used. As far as I've experienced.
The 1st is editable through Windows Explorer. Rightclick, Properties, Documentinfo, Comment.
The 2nd is editable through programs such as Irfanview and JPEG commenter.

I'm interested in extracting either or both.

WHAT I'VE TRIED:
I've tried extracting all the commentstrings mentioned in exif.pnp:
ACDComment(IFD0), ImageDescription(IFD0), CommentOld(IFD0) and Usercomment(SubIFD)
but all of them turn back 'NULL'

I've even tried to extract the model name to check if I did something wrong, but that one is extracted OK.

Here's the image file, I'm using. Both commentstrings mentioned above is filled out:
http://www.hosbjarne.dk/webspace/files/HPIM2989.JPG

On beforehand, thanks for your help!!
-- Peer3000

Comments

  • sbillard Member
    I am not clear what you mean by 'comments' stored in the image. There are two classes of metadata stored in images--EXIF and IPTC. Your image has no IPTC data. IPTC data is usually where things like image titles and descriptions are stored.

    Your EXIF data contanins the usual kinds of information. Zenphoto does extract that data automatically and places it in the database. Some fields require interpretation, though, and we have no parser for HP cameras, so the proprietary HP data is not interpreted.

    You can see the EXIF data by expanding the fields for your image in the album edit tabs.
  • Peer3000 Member
    Ahh... Wauw... That's why I couldn't extract it. Excellent! Problem solved!

    I wrote a description in the IPCT Description, uploaded the photo, and discovered that Zenphoto automatically took the description from the image file! This Zenphoto is awesome!

    To other users:
    *Download a program that can edit the IPCT description string
    (just google 'edit IPCT', I found the program 'iTag' that is absolutely excellent)
    * Then edit the description of the photos, upload them, and that's it!

    The advance is that the description is stored in the image file, and not somewhere on the internet. In that case, you'll have your descriptions stored locally and if you move your photos to another directory, Gallery software, etc., your image description will follow. That's brilliant!

    Thanks a lot, sbillard. You saved my day :-)
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