1. A system for encoding light field image data as a light field image file, comprising: a processor; and memory containing an encoding application and light field image data, where the light field image data comprises a plurality of images of a scene captured from different viewpoints; wherein the encoding application directs the processor to: create a depth map that specifies depths for pixels in a reference image in the plurality of images; encode the reference image; and create a light field image file including the encoded image and metadata describing the encoded image, wherein: the light field image file is structured using the Exchangable image file (Exif) format; and the metadata includes the depth map.