EXIF data is the meta data that comes from your camera EXIF data is the meta data that comes from your camera and is attached to your image file. Keep in mind that those images that are edited and exported out (like using Fireworks) will no longer carry those information. In order to read EXIF meta data, you must first open the image in an application that can read EXIF data. In my case that would be ZoomBrowser EX, the software that comes with your canon camera that is capable of managing your photos real nice.
For example, after opening the image you can view the EXIF data like below;
Camera Model Name :Canon PowerShot A75
Shooting Date/ Time :2/24/2006 9:02:05 AM
Shooting Mode: Auto
Photo Effect : Off
Tv (Shutter Speed) :1/1000
Av (Aperture Value) :4.0
Light Metering :Evaluative
Exposure Compensation : 0
ISO Speed : Auto
Lens : 5.4 - 16.2mm
Focal Length : 5.4mm
Digital Zoom : None
Image Size : 2048x1536
Image Quality : Fine
Flash : Off
White Balance :Auto
AF Mode :Single AF
Color Space : sRGB
File Size : 863KB
Drive Mode :Single-frame shooting
Owner's Name:
in this image you can see a sample of the EXIF data that comes with the histogram graph. This information is usefull in so many ways. you can always see the details settings of your camera for your favorite photos and apply those to the same shooting conditions.
Another way to access EXIF Meta data is Windows properties. Just right click on your original image file, choose properties then select summary tab and click Advanced. Voila! Here is the EXIF data you were looking for.