# CGImageMetadataCopyTagWithPath(_:_:_:) Searches for a specific metadata tag within a metadata collection. ``` func CGImageMetadataCopyTagWithPath(_ metadata: CGImageMetadata, _ parent: CGImageMetadataTag?, _ path: CFString) -> CGImageMetadataTag? ``` ## Parameters `metadata` The metadata object that contains the tags. `parent` The parent tag, if any. Specify `NULL` to start the search in the top-level tags of the metadata object. If this parameter is `NULL`, you must include a valid prefix string in the `path` parameter. `path` A string that represents the path to the tag. A path consists of the tag’s name, plus optional prefix and parent information. Separate prefix information from other path information using a colon (`:`) character. Separate parent and child tags using the period (`.`) character. For example, the string `“exif:Flash.RedEyeMode”` represents the path to the `RedEyeMode` field of the `Flash` parent structure in the EXIF metadata. When a tag contains an ordered or unordered array, specify elements using a `0` -based index inside square brackets. For example, use the string `“dc.subject[2]”` to access the third element in the `subject` array. When the tag contains an alternate-text array, access elements using an RFC 3066 language code inside square brackets. For example, use the string `“dc.description[de]”` to access the German description information. Use the ? character to delimit qualifiers for tags with string values. You may not use this character for arrays and structures. ## Return Value A copy of the [`CGImageMetadataTag`](/documentation/ImageIO/CGImageMetadataTag) object at the specified path, or `NULL` if the tag wasn’t found. ## Discussion If you specify a valid tag in the `parent` parameter, you may omit the parent’s path information from the `path` parameter. For example, to access the `RedEyeMode` field, specify the [`CGImageMetadataTag`](/documentation/ImageIO/CGImageMetadataTag) object for the `Flash` parent property, and specify `“RedEyeMode”` for the path string. If a tag contains a custom prefix that is not already present in the metadata object, call [`CGImageMetadataRegisterNamespaceForPrefix(_:_:_:_:)`](/documentation/ImageIO/CGImageMetadataRegisterNamespaceForPrefix(_:_:_:_:)) to register that prefix before you search for it with this function. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)