DIG35 Specification: Metadata for Digital Images. Version 1.0

Chapter 3:DIG35 Image Metadata Definition DIG35 Specification 2000-08-303.2 DIG35 Metadata BlocksDIG35’s Metadata definition consists of five logical blocks with a separate common definition that is referred to by otherblocks. While each block is logically partitioned, they may be linked to each other to form additional semantics.3.2.1 Basic Image Parameter MetadataSince this specification is a general-purpose metadata standard, it must be applicable to the broadest possible class of fileformats. Since each file format makes distinct decisions regarding what elements are important as header information, it isimpossible to delegate the specification of header metadata to file format developers. In fact, this specification takes theopposite approach and assumes the existence of a file format that contains no header information. This assumption ensures thatany format may be transcoded into another file-format.In order to do this, a block of metadata is defined that contains information similar to, and identical in use to, file headermetadata. There should never be conflicts between this block and the file header metadata as this block is intended to be used,as stated above, only when there is no file header metadata. However, if there is a conflict between the file-format headerinformation and the Basic Image Parameter Metadata, the file header should always take precedence. See Annex A:BasicImage Parameter Metadata for details.NOTE: Each file format defines its own header information; this is very much dependent on the features the formatsupports. Those features are specific to the image data and thus out of scope of this specification. The DIG35 BasicImage Parameter metadata should be considered informational and not be used to decode the image data stored in theassociated file.3.2.2 Image Creation MetadataThe Image Creation Metadata defines the “how” metadata that specifies the source of which the image was created. Forexample, the camera and lens information and capture condition are useful technical information for professional and seriousamateur photographers as well as advanced imaging applications. See Annex B:Image Creation Metadata for details.3.2.3 Content Description MetadataThe Content Description Metadata defines the descriptive information of “who”, “what”, “when” and “where” aspect of theimage. Often this metadata takes the form of extensive words, phrases, or sentences to describe a particular event or locationthat the image illustrates. Typically, this metadata consists of text that the user enters, either when the images are taken orscanned or later in the process during manipulation or use of the images. See Annex C:Content Description Metadata fordetails.3.2.4 History MetadataThe History Metadata is used to provide partial information about how the image got to the present state. For example, historymay include certain processing steps that have been applied to an image. Another example of a history would be the imagecreation events including digital capture, exposure of negative or reversal films, creation of prints, transmissive scans ofnegatives or positive film, or reflective scans of prints. All of this metadata is important for some applications. To permitflexibility in construction of the image history metadata, two alternate representations of the history are permitted. In the first,the history metadata is embedded in the image metadata. In the second, the previous versions of the image, represented as aURL/URI, are included in the history metadata as pointers to the location of the actual history. The history metadata for acomposite image (i.e., created from two or more previous images) may also be represented through a hierarchical metadatastructure. While this specification does not define the “how” or “how much” part of the processing aspect, it does enablelogging of certain processing steps by adding textual descriptions of operations applied to an image as hints for future use. SeeAnnex D:History Metadata for details.NOTE: Neither the processing nor the history metadata specify exact values of the actual processing steps or thecompositing steps. Such metadata is reserved for further study.Version 1.0 © 2000 Digital Imaging Group, Inc. 9