Ovolab Geophoto FAQ
How can Geophoto be useful to me, since I don't spend my life traveling?
How can Geophoto be useful to me, if I don't have a GPS-enabled camera?
Using Geophoto
Does Geophoto make a copy of the picture files I add to its library?
What level of visual detail can Geophoto reach?
Why don't my photos retain their location information when added to a new Geophoto document?
Why do Flickr photos appear with a lock icon on top of them?
How can I store location information inside my Flickr photos?
Geocoding FAQ
Which image file formats does Geophoto support?
Which handheld GPS receivers are supported by Geophoto?
What are GPS loggers, and which ones are supported by Geophoto?
Which GPS log file formats does Geophoto support?
Which digital cameras have a built-in (or optional) GPS?
Ovolab Geophoto FAQ
Q: How can Geophoto be useful to me, since I don't spend my life traveling?
A: Geophoto can be a wonderful tool even if you don't travel at all. You can view places that are familiar to you, as seen through other people's eyes. You can explore faraway places, through shared photos on Flickr.
Geophoto is also a great educational tool: learn about a geographical area through pictures; put a place in relationship with its photos, and better understand the context in which people live there.
Q: How can Geophoto be useful to me, if I don't have a GPS-enabled camera?
A: You don't need a high-end, GPS-equipped camera in order to use Geophoto. Simply drag photos to the correct location, and they will be pinned to that spot on Earth. Or, you can choose "Set Location" from the Item menu and type in the name of the city or landmark in which your photos were taken, and Geophoto will automatically place them in that location.
If you carry a handheld GPS unit or a GPS logger with you while taking pictures, you can also use Geophoto's matching feature, to automatically pin the pictures you've taken to the exact spots on the planet logged by your GPS device.
Some cell phones have the ability to store GPS data into pictures taken with their camera.
Moreover, through Geophoto you can browse millions of photos on Flickr that already contain location information.
Using Geophoto
Q: Does Geophoto make a copy of the picture files I add to its library?
A: No, Geophoto always references the original files you drag to its library, without ever copying them.
You won't risk filling up your hard drive with duplicate photos.
Q: What level of visual detail can Geophoto reach?
A: From Geophoto's Preferences window, you can download high-resolution satellite imagery with an average resolution of 0.13 miles/pixel. These images are used on the three-dimensional model of the Earth. By using the Map or the Loupe, you can position your photos all the way down to street level detail, thanks to Geophoto's integration with Google Maps.
Q: Why don't my photos retain their location information when added to a new Geophoto document?
A: Geophoto doesn't modify your original photos unless you tell it to do so. Therefore, when you drag a picture to a location on Earth, that location information will only be available inside the Geophoto library you are working on.
If you wish to permanently store the location information inside your image file or in your Flickr photo, choose "Update Original with Location Information" from the Item menu.
Q: Why do Flickr photos appear with a lock icon on top of them?
A: Geophoto displays a lock icon on top of items that it can't modify or update with new location information. If you are viewing a photo posted on Flickr by another user, you do not have the ability to change its geotags - therefore, Geophoto will display a lock icon on top of it.
If you are viewing your own photos on Flickr, you need to authorize Geophoto to communicate with Flickr (in the Flickr pane of Geophoto's Preferences window) before you can update the original photo with the new location information.
Q: How can I store location information inside my Flickr photos?
A: First, make sure you have authorized Geophoto to communicate with Flickr (in the Flickr pane of Geophoto's Preferences window).
Then, select the photos you wish to update and choose "Update Originals with Location Information" from the Item menu. Geophoto will save the coordinates and tags to the photos in your Flickr account.
Geocoding FAQ
Q: Which image file formats does Geophoto support?
A: Geophoto can display most image file formats, including:
and several proprietary Camera RAW formats, including:
Geophoto can read and write Exif and IPTC metadata, including GPS coordinates, in JPEG and Camera RAW images.
Q: Which handheld GPS receivers are supported by Geophoto?
A: In general, any handheld GPS device which can store GPS track log files in one of the supported formats will work fine with Geophoto.
In addition, Geophoto can communicate directly (via USB or Bluetooth) with the following devices, for downloading track log files:
Q: What are GPS loggers, and which ones are supported by Geophoto?
A: GPS loggers, or data loggers, are small, pocket-sized devices which record your GPS position at fixed time intervals and store it internally. When you get back to your computer, you can download the logged track and use it with Geophoto to automatically set the coordinates of the photos you've taken during the trip.
Geophoto supports any GPS data logger which can output files in one of the supported formats, including the following:
Q: Which GPS log file formats does Geophoto support?
A: Geophoto supports a wide variety of GPS track log files, including:
Q: Which digital cameras have a built-in (or optional) GPS?
A: We are working on maintaining a list of such cameras. In the meantime, you may want to look at the following GPS-ready cameras:
In general, a less-expensive solution is to carry your own GPS unit or GPS logger with you when taking pictures. Geophoto's GPS matching feature will automatically find the coordinates for each photo you've taken.
There are also a few cell phones with integrated GPS receivers, but we are not sure whether they automatically geotag the pictures they take, or if they require additional software for that purpose.
ZoneTag is a service which uses cell tower information to geotag the pictures you take with your cameraphone. Check out ZoneTag's web site to see if your phone is supported.