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I don’t yet geotag my photos but I plan on doing it soon since I don’t really see a downside to being able to pinpoint exact locations where images were shot and easily find them on Google Maps.
It makes sense to geotag on capture with a number of devices commercially available, but not all cameras provide this cool option. Now there’s a new Aperture plugin called Maperture, which adds a specific set of geographic information (latitude and longitude coordinates) to a digital image's metadata.
So even if you don’t geotag on capture, you can add this information afterwards with Maperture, in Aperture.
You may not know it, but if you geotag your images, Aperture lets you quickly see where the image was taken on a map. In Aperture, under Metadata there is “show on map”, which is grayed out on non-geotagged images. But if your image is geotagged alreadly, or you geotag with Maperutre, (easily identified with the geotag badge visible in the viewer) Aperture will open up your Internet Browser and pinpoint the spot on Google Maps where the image was taken. It’s very cool.
And if your original coordinates are off, Maperture allows you to easily change tagged locations within Aperture.
Be Aware
Because Maperture embeds the EXIF data directly in the RAW file when you save it, as a precaution, Maperture's default behavior is to generate a backup of the master prior to making any changes to your files. You can disable the master backup option in Maperture's preferences.
From Maperture's Creator...
“Should I turn off the backup master images option in Maperture's preferences?
We have done everything possible to ensure Maperture only impacts your image's GPS metadata fields (see below for a complete list). However, as there are a large and ever increasing number of file formats available to digital photographers, the possibility exists that we have not tested how Maperture handles editing some of the file types out there. As such, we strongly encourage you to do a before and after comparison of a sampling of your geotagged images prior to disabling the master backup option.”
You can get the free plug in here. There’s lots of info as well as a screencast that walks you through the process.
Before you download, you may want to check out this detailed article on geotagging for photographers by David Langs at the B & H website, which lists options for photographers with specific cameras who want to begin geotagging at capture.
I have been trying Mapterture, and it's the easiest means of geotagging "after the fact" with Aperture that I've come across so far.
My one reservation is that it doesn't work with TIFF files. So I couldn't use it with any of the images I'd created using the dodge and burn plug-in.
Otherwise excellent.
I really wish I had started geotaging last year when I was in Tanzania. After taking so many photos and visiting so many places, my note book was full of notes but I never had a good sense on a map where I was.
I guess my hesitation has been that I have not found the perfect GPS device, that fits into my process. I was looking at a few and they all had some sort of draw back, but then again, maybe something is better than nothing.
here is a quick tip. If you Cary your iPhone while shooting, use it as your gps notebook. Just snap a pic with the built in camera and you will get a georagged note/image for future reference.
There is already an EXIF entry in Aperture for Lat/Lon - so why does the plugin have to "modify" the original file ?
This plugin is totally cool.
Although there seems to be a bug in Aperture preventing the lat/long being exported with versions (work around here). Oh, Aperture gurus, have you had this problem? Do you know a better fix than moving my masters?
ey there,
I just wanted to chime in on your discussion...
Maperture is definitely solid and will not damage your images. There are some limitations with edit plug-ins as stated in the API that we must follow from Apple. We have a FAQ section located at http://www.ubermind.com/products/maperture-faq.php
A few things to watch out for are:
About Embedding GPS metadata...
Unfortunately this is a bug in the way Aperture deals with plugins exporting versions. It seems certain metadata fields will not export unless you export a new master image. We have contacted Apple about this issue and hopefully will be included in a future update. If you export a new Master image, the GPS metadata will be correctly embedded for upload. But it's a two step process and we would like it to be more streamlined. I still need to do some further testing with the new updates to see if there is any progress here. And will keep you updated.
About working with referenced files in Aperture with Maperture...
After some testing, it does seem like there is an issue when working with files not stored in the Aperture Library. When geotagging images Maperture will erase all IPTC data in these referenced files. There are limitations in the API which hinder the abilities of an edit plug-in within the host application. So you will need to have your images stored in a managed Aperture library to use the plug-in to it's fullest at this point.
We are testing Maperture Pro BETA currently which allows you to visually geotag your images, import tracklog data from a GPS device, reverse geocode location information, save location bookmarks, copy & paste location information as well as several others. If you are interested in testing it out and providing feedback, please go to:
http://www.ubermind.com/beta
Thanks!