Sorting photo by shot date

So I'm thinking about buying Hazel to help me sort my photos.
I'd like to sort them by the shoot date (not the created or modified dates on the files) since these files have been moved around a bit and the file timestamps no longer resemble the original dates of the photos. I couldn't find a way to setup the rule properly. I tried created date and context created but that seems to only use the file created-by timestamp, not the time in the exif data.

Any suggestions on how to do this?

Thanks,
Steve

Hi Steve,

I believe we chatted in email but I thought I'd post here in case anyone else is interested.

As far as I can tell, there seems to be a shortcoming in the Spotlight importer for JPG files in that it doesn't import the capture date from the EXIF data. All the Spotlight date attributes seem to be based on the file itself. For instance, copying a file and checking it's metadata, you'll find that all the creation dates have been reset.

So, for now you are stuck unless Apple fixes it or someone comes out with a better importer.

Mr_Noodle wrote:I believe we chatted in email but I thought I'd post here in case anyone else is interested.

Yes, I thought the community might have some ideas as well.

Mr_Noodle wrote:As far as I can tell, there seems to be a shortcoming in the Spotlight importer for JPG files in that it doesn't import the capture date from the EXIF data. All the Spotlight date attributes seem to be based on the file itself. For instance, copying a file and checking it's metadata, you'll find that all the creation dates have been reset.

So, for now you are stuck unless Apple fixes it or someone comes out with a better importer.

While you are correct, you are assuming that you must only use spotlight meta data. You know it is an image file. EXIF is pretty standard. You COULD enhance the filter. You already use file system data (date modified, etc), spotlight metadata, etc. You could add a filter bubble that is exif data savvy and incorporate that data in your filtering as well.

Just a thought...

Steve

I would need to look into it but it's not clear to me if doing my own importer would be able to either supplement or replace the existing one. In addition, parsing the jpg files myself is a bit of work that is outside of Hazel's purview. Nonetheless, your request has been added to the feature database for future consideration.

Thanks.

Not entirely sure what you guys are talking about, but ... have you seen this: An Automator action to move files by metadata?

From the post: "... You will be able to move images according to their EXIF data (date taken, camera model, ...) ..."

This thread is from 2007. Is there any updated information relevant to the question? I would like to do the same as the OP.

Nothing has changed here. I suggest bugging Apple about it.

yeah, right. like that ever accomplishes anything.

Well, yes, most of the time it's like talking to a brick wall but it does help if people cast their votes. In the meantime, I suggest finding some commandline program out there that will parse this data out and then using a script to grab it.