Geotagging/Geomapping your photographs using Picasa

I purchased an ATP PhotoFinder. Support Phone Number: 1-877-ATP-6900. After setting up the details for the finder (not an easy task for me), I put it back in its nice case and strap it onto my monopod or tri-pod. (Don't leave it in your car!) From here on use either Picasa OR Pro Photo Tools. See screenshots below.

Click for a larger version of a Picasa Screenshot:

Camera and Photo Finder - Sync both date and time. Begin with an empty card.

Follow directions for using the Finder the first time. You'll need a small flashlight for seeing in the little window!

Figure out the best way to carry the Finder on your monopod or tripod. I use velcro. Turn it on at least 15 minutes
before photographing.

Remove card from camera, turn off the Finder, insert the card into the Finder and turn the Finder back on.

Use the flashlight to watch what the Finder is doing to add the GPS info into your EXIF data. Say 'next' or 'yes' when needed.

Add a new Folder to your desktop and download your photos to it. I suggest that the folder has a date or place name.

Prepare your photos: crop, adjust exposure, brightness and contrast etc You can do all this within Picasa
or use yusual image-editing program (Photoshop, Elements, Paintshop Pro etc.). Be sure to keep the
photos in the same folder.

Rename the photos to better define them: eagle-creek, road-viaduct, fruit-trees#4 etc.

Guidelines for Geotagging/Geomapping your Photos Steps needed to make it all work. These programs are FREE!
1. Camera	If you have a digital camera that will geotrack your photos for you, you're lucky. Otherwise you'll need to purchase a device to take along that will "track"' where you took your photos.
2. Photo Finder			I purchased an ATP PhotoFinder. Support Phone Number: 1-877-ATP-6900. After setting up the details for the finder (not an easy task for me), I put it back in its nice case and strap it onto my monopod or tri-pod. (Don't leave it in your car!) From here on use either Picasa OR Pro Photo Tools. See screenshots below.
3. Picasa	I hadn't immediately realized how useful this program is beyond being beginner's photo-editing tool. Be sure to explore its possibilities! Download this FREE program. Watch Geotagging Video from Geeks on Tour which is excellent.
4. Geotag with Microsoft Pro Photo Tools	FREE - a must-have program with all sorts of capabilities.
6.Geotag with Google Earth	With Picasa you can click on the photo which includes the new data and open Google Earth to view the location of your photo(s). See this Video and others on YouTube.
Here's the bottom of the Picasa screen showing the tools. After you have added the new data, go back to Picasa and click on the Geo-Tag tool and Places.
Click for a larger version of a Picasa Screenshot:			If you are not going to manually geotap your images, you can disregard this at the bottom right side.
Screen Shots of both Programs Compared. Pro Photo Tools opens photos on Bing (MSFT) Maps, Picasa uses Google Maps. I certainly prefer the Pro Photo Tools.
Getting Started with either program. Explore each before you decide which one you prefer. Camera and Photo Finder - Sync both date and time. Begin with an empty card. Follow directions for using the Finder the first time. You'll need a small flashlight for seeing in the little window! Figure out the best way to carry the Finder on your monopod or tripod. I use velcro. Turn it on at least 15 minutes before photographing. Remove card from camera, turn off the Finder, insert the card into the Finder and turn the Finder back on. Use the flashlight to watch what the Finder is doing to add the GPS info into your EXIF data. Say 'next' or 'yes' when needed. Add a new Folder to your desktop and download your photos to it. I suggest that the folder has a date or place name. Prepare your photos: crop, adjust exposure, brightness and contrast etc You can do all this within Picasa or use yusual image-editing program (Photoshop, Elements, Paintshop Pro etc.). Be sure to keep the photos in the same folder. Rename the photos to better define them: eagle-creek, road-viaduct, fruit-trees#4 etc.
Workflow for Pro Photo Tools with Bing (Microsoft) Maps Open both Picasa and Pro Photo Tools. Drag the photo(s) that you want to geotag into the thumbnail section of PPT. Have fun watching the photos find their locations and view them in 2D, 3D, Roads, Aerial. In The thumbnails section double -click to see the larger photo with Picasa. Bing Maps are used for showing locations. Here's a great/good tutorial. Shutterbug Tutorial.		Workflow for Picasa with Google Maps Open Picasa. After you have added the new data, go back to Picasa and click on the Geo-Tag tool and Places. See the three panel screenshot above. Double-click the thumbnail to see the full image. Viewing options are: Street Map, Satellite, Hybrid and Terrain. Geeks' on Tour - Geotagging Video "Picasa 3.5 integrates with Google Maps. View Google Maps in the 'Places' pane. View photos in place, place photos on the map. Geotags follow the photo to Web Albums." From Geeks on Tour.
You have probably generated a Photo Finder icon on your desktop. If so, be sure to exlore what this additional program can do. Admittedely I don't have it all figured out yet! Another Choice: Geosetter - besure to took at 'Screenshots' to learn how to use this program.		http://www.brighthub.com/internet/google/ articles/65225.aspx http://www.brighthub.com/electronics/gps/ reviews/64636.aspx
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