About geo-localization of SP pictures

[om]

I suggest all pictures on this site should be geo-localized. Even if it's a huge work to update all the existing pictures, that will give sense and usefullness to the big amount of posted pictures.

It seems some SP users don't know how to localize pictures with google maps tool. New Google maps with altitude and relief helps a lot, but some summit names are wrong.

I simply suggest:

- update your own pictures as much as possible.

- be accurate when possible (localize the side of the mountain...)

- take care of SPv1 pictures, they got the localization of their attached mountain and that could have been a wrong localization

- to not give anymore "points" to pictures with default geo-localization values.

- To not vote 10 (but vote anyway) on a picture before having checked the geo-localization is accurate, be tolerant with panoramas where geo-localization could be about any part of the picture, or the view point.

[Alpinist]

What value does the lat/lon coordinates have for pictures? I don't see it. Take for example the link below which is displayed when you click on the coordinates for an image of Tower Peak.

Google Map of Tower Peak photos.

There are so many other photos close to the one I clicked on that they all melt together. What value does this have unless you are looking at an obscure peak with only a couple of photos...? Try this experiment with photos of any of the popular peaks and you'll have the same result.

[om]

[fossana]

I completely disagree. I don't want exact turn by turn instructions of how to get to and up a peak, which is part of the reason I don't own a GPS. If people want to include the geocoordinates fine, but having them should not be a prereq for 10 stars. Furthermore I question the accuracy (and value) of retroactively labeling all of the photos on SP.

[Gary Schenk]

[om]

[om]

[megla]

FAQ

Table Of Contents
1. Technical Problems / Troubleshooting
1.1 What language should I use for my submissions?
1.2 Why cant I log in?
1.3 How are cookies used on SummitPost?
1.4 What format should I use for the topo coordinates?

SummitPost requires coordinates in decimal degree notation (dd.dddd), not DMS (dd° mm' ss.sss'') or UTM. Be sure to recalculate the coordinates into dd.dddd format. A decimal point (.) is required. Commas are deleted and result in incorrect coordinates. Members in the western hemisphere must use negative longitudes. Here are two examples:
Mont Blanc can be found at: 45° 49' 57.72'' N / 6° 51' 51.48'' E
SummitPost requires Lat: 45.8327, Lon: 6.8643

Denali can be found at: 63° 4' 9.120'' N / 151° 0' 12.96'' W
SummitPost requires Lat: 63.0692, Lon: -151.0036

Recalculate the DMS-data (dd° mm' ss.sss'') with the following formula only mm and ss have to be recalculated):

dddd = (mm / 60) + (ss.sss / 3600).

Do not truncate the decimal part to less than three digits, as each ten thousandth of a degree equals about 11 m (36 ft).

[om]

[megla]

The lined up locations (like in the Tower Peak example) are very bothersome, especially when they interfere with other locations which have been made precisely.
This happens if we just use the coordinates proposed by the primary coordinate entry of the mountain or route page.

The "hybrid" map view is much more precise than the "terrain" map view (it gets closer up).

<i>By placing the coordinates separately</i> for each photo (it takes a little longer, but it <i>is</i> much better), we avoid the lined up situation.

Some Elves gracefully make the changes if you send them the proper coordinates (at least for route coordinates).

[visentin]

It would be much easier if every picture without GPS coordinates attached to a peak or other object with a position inheritates from this position.
It is the case when we create a picture by using the option "add picture" then "new", but already-existing pictures not.
I also always thought it would be genial if GPS-positionned objects on SP or MB would appear on Google Maps as we do a research on Google maps, the same way all sorts of other objects pop out when we make a map search on Google.
I don't know how to do it but if if so many other sites do, why not SP ?

[megla]

[JJ]

This is why all photographs should be geo-referenced.
http://www.ted.com/talks/blaise_aguera_y_arcas_demos_photosynth.html

[visentin]

[visentin]

Another related topic on MBPost which will soon or late concern routes on SP, if not already...
http://www.mbpost.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=886

For example look at this:
http://philrando.free.fr/Geoportail/estos-depuis-col-d-azet.html
or, google :
http://philrando.free.fr/GoogleMaps/estos-depuis-col-d-azet.html