Besides the pixels in your images, there is additional information stored within each image file. This extra meta-data is known as EXIF, Exchangeable Image File format. The details of the settings used to capture the image are listed in the EXIF for each photo. For cameras with location services (smartphones and newer digital cameras), the lattitude and longitude of the location of where the photo was taken is also stored. Some higher-end cameras even allow extra user information to be recorded, such as photographer's name, address, website, and copyright notice. I use these extra fields on each of my cameras.
Reading the EXIF data is pretty simple. On a Windows computer, you can right click on an image, select properties, then choose details. All the available information will be displayed. Nasim Mansurov has a nice article on the topic, complete with examples of different ways to view the EXIF data.
By knowing that the information is available, you can take steps to use it wisely. You can even address potential concerns, regarding the location information in your photos.
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