Geotag Flickr Photos: A Guide to Location-Based Exploration

Geotagging Flickr Photos: A Location-Based Exploration

We've previously discussed the practice of geotagging photos and exploring them based on their location. Mark demonstrated how to geotag Flickr images using Google Maps & Earth, utilizing a bookmarklet known as Localize. However, numerous alternative methods for geotagging photos exist.

Flickr itself provides a built-in geotagging tool, proving particularly useful for organizing your Flickr photostream. This article will focus on leveraging that functionality.

Understanding Geotagging

Geotagging involves embedding location data within your photos, indicating where they were captured. This data typically consists of latitude and longitude coordinates, alongside recognizable place names.

Cameras equipped with auto-geotagging and GPS capabilities simplify this process. Nevertheless, web applications allow for the addition of location data to photos even after they've been taken.

This location information is stored as metadata within the photo file. Adding this data enables location-based searches, allowing you to find photos using specific locations. Geotagged images are commonly displayed on interactive maps, such as those provided by Google and Google Earth.

Flickr's Geotagging with Yahoo Maps

Flickr utilizes Yahoo Maps for its geotagging feature, given that Flickr is owned by Yahoo. Accessing this feature is straightforward with a Yahoo ID.

Geotagging Flickr photos with Yahoo Maps is achieved through a simple drag-and-drop interface. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• • Log in to your Flickr account and navigate to the Organize & Create (Organizr) tab within your photostream.

You can choose to geotag photos individually or in batches. Click the Map tab to activate the Yahoo Map interface.

The Yahoo Map includes navigational tools like a zoom slider, direction controls, and different map views. Use your mouse to navigate and double-click to zoom and center on a specific location.

• • To begin geotagging, enter the location in the Find a Location search box. Specify the place where the photo was taken, and be as precise as possible with the address.

Results may be more detailed for locations in the U.S. and Europe compared to other regions.

• • Once the location is set, geotagging is done by selecting thumbnails from the Finder and dragging them onto the desired spot on the map. To remove location data, simply drag the photos back to the thumbnail strip.

• • Clicking on a photo opens the Edit dialog, where you can add further details. You’ll notice that the longitude and latitude coordinates have been automatically added.

Within this dialog, you can also control who can view the location data associated with the photo.

• • The Permissions page of the dialog allows you to determine the access permissions for the photo itself, including Creative Commons attribution settings.

• • Based on your permission settings, the geotagged information will be visible alongside your photos in your photostream.

Benefits of Geotagging on Flickr

The advantages of geotagging become apparent when you click on the linked place names. Selecting Map provides a map-based perspective of the location.

A particularly useful feature is the ability to discover other photos taken nearby by clicking See nearby photos and videos. Your own geotagged photos also become searchable by location.

Publicly visible photos contribute to Flickr groups dedicated to specific locations. For aspiring photographers, these groups offer opportunities to learn from similar images and explore different photographic techniques at the same location.

While Yahoo Maps offers geotagging functionality, the level of detail may not be as comprehensive as Google Maps. Zooming into certain areas, such as locations within India, may not provide street-level views. However, geotagging still allows participation in location-based Flickr groups.

Even without a GPS-enabled camera, do you find yourself inclined to geotag your Flickr photos?

Image Credit: premasagar