EXIF tag · ExifIFD

LightSource

Light source setting: daylight, fluorescent, tungsten, flash, etc.

0x9208
Tag ID (37384 decimal)
ExifIFD
IFD / group
int16u
Data type
EXIF
Table

What LightSource means#

Light source setting: daylight, fluorescent, tungsten, flash, etc.

Read, write and remove it#

# read
exiftool -LightSource photo.jpg
# write
exiftool -LightSource="…" photo.jpg
# remove
exiftool -LightSource= photo.jpg
# all files in a folder, as CSV
exiftool -csv -LightSource -r ./photos > light-source.csv

In Python with Pillow:

from PIL import Image
exif = Image.open("photo.jpg").getexif()
value = exif.get_ifd(0x8769).get(0x9208)  # LightSource
print(value)

Frequently asked questions#

What is the EXIF tag ID of LightSource?

0x9208 (37384 decimal), in the ExifIFD directory.

How do I see LightSource in a photo?

Run exiftool -LightSource photo.jpg, or open the file's info panel in Lightroom, Photoshop, Windows (Properties → Details) or macOS Preview (Tools → Show Inspector).

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources