GPS photo tagging, also known as geotagging, is the process of embedding a digital photo with latitude, longitude and even altitude data.  I like gadgets and for the past several years I have been searching for an inexpensive but accurate way of geotagging my images. I am a Canon user and while there are many devices for Nikon cameras there are relatively few for Canon.  Ironically the iPhone does a great job.
My search for a device that would work with all my Canon Cameras became more imperative because I was writing a book on Lightroom 4 and it was clear during development that LR4 was going to include a Map Module. I called my friends at B&H on a regular basis and kept asking what do you have for GPS and Canon? I further complicated my request because I wanted to be able to work with Raw files. Finally just before I went to Antarctica in December, my good friend Gabe found me a device to try. The GistePhotoTrackr Mini DPL900 is an inexpensive $49.95 device which works. The Skytrag GPS chipset allows you to precisely record and review your trip. I used the device extensively in Antarctica and then again in February 2012 in Rwanda and Tanzania.

When my device arrived I was totally psyched until I tried to use the software that comes with the device which is nothing less than atrocious. The Gisteq PhotoTracr application required all kinds of finagling to get it to work on Lion Mac 10.7.3 Lion and even after getting it to work the software was tough to figure out and is really suitable for jpegs and not for tagging raw files. I was ready to give up and then discovered an awesome piece of software called myTracks from the Apple Application store. My Tracks was a dream and I was able to geotag my images and export a track log which I was able to import into Lightroom 4 and fully take advantage of the Map Module.

PhotoTrackr Mini DPL900

Nancy Leigh photographed me in a cravasse in Patagonia with the PhotoTrackr Mini hanging recording GPS

Using the PhotoTrackr mini in Rwanda

MyTracks is an awesome application. Here we have a track from the gorillas in Rwanda showing the altitudes during each shot on our hike in the rain forest.

The track log is easily imported into Lightroom 4

LIGHTROOM WORKSHOPS

Lightroom Workshops

 2011 SCHEDULE

New York   Oct. 1-4 2011
Miami Beach Oct. 16-19 2011
San Francisco Nov. 4-7 2011

2012 SCHEDULE

Dallas Jan. 27-30
Miami Beach Feb. 27-March 1
Los Angeles Mar.14-17
NYC   Apr.11-14
Chicago June 3-6
Seattle July 27-30
Boston Oct. 12-15
Miami Beach Nov. 5-8

CREATIVE WORKSHOPS

Creative Workshops 

2011
Seth & Greg Gorman/ Mendocino (Sold Out)
September 11-16, 2011

Antarctica (Sold Out)
November 29-December 10, 2011

Patagonia (3 spaces left)
December 10-December 14, 2011

2012
Gorillas, Chimps, Volcanos of Rwanda (Private Trip)
February 11-February 19, 2012

D65 Africa Spectacular (12 spaces total 7 left)
May 6 – May 21, 2012

Iceland Seth Resnick & John Paul Caponigro (24 spaces,12 left)
August 25-Sept 1, 2011

Greenland and the Arctic- Polar Bears, Walrus,  Fiords (50% full)
September 4-17, 2012

Atacama Desert, Chile
TBA

One of my most educational experiences in Antarctica was shooting side by side next to JP (John Paul Caponigro). We are cruising along and the captain announces that there is an interesting iceberg coming up on Port Side. Instantly the photographers are armed and ready and lined up along the rail for the assault. This kind of shooting can be aggravating or it can be a most enjoyable experience depending on how you handle it. I am about 4 inches from JP on one side and Jeff Schewe on the other. I look out at this iceberg and instantly said to myself that the only image that will work is with a 300mm and a 2x converter. JP whips out his 28mm and I stopped and think HUH. No way can you shoot this blip on the horizon with a 28mm. In fact I wished I had my 800mm. We both have the same reaction.” What are you seeing?” We instinctively trade cameras and we both burst out into laughter. JP is shooting this horizontal line with a little blip ( and it is amazing) and I am isolating just the side of this iceberg with great light. Side by side with 4 inches between us and you would never know we were even on the same boat.

This experience repeated itself multiple times on all three of our trips. Here I am with my 300 and JP is next to me with a 28mm and we are shooting the same thing. The biggest irony was several times I would  think about how JP would shoot and I would show up on deck with a 14mm and JP would show up with a 300mm. We had such an influence on each other and to this day every time I pull out my wide angle lens I think about JP.

As visual artists we all see the world differently. Sharing those experiences can be truly educational and enlightening.

Read JP’s version here
Find out more about our Digital Photography Destinations workshops here where we have some of the greatest instructors all at the same time for your unique learning and photographing experience.

Long Lens Marguerite Bay

Wide angle view of iceberg in Marguerite Bay

Long lens Cierva Cove

Wide angle Cierva Cove

Long Lens Scotia Sea

Wide view Scotia Sea

Long lens Orne Harbour

Wide angle Orne Harbour

Fire and Ice and Perfect Pixels Too!

An Evening with Seth Resnick, Canon Explorer of Light

During this presentation, Seth will show spectacular images from his recent travels to the volcanic eruption in Iceland and from his trips to Antarctica, and he will talk about how to bring back images that are more than just tourist pictures. He will discuss how to bring your picture making to a new level and will show you some tips and tricks on processing digital files, as well as managing and keeping track of your digital files. Seth will demonstrate some Photoshop and Lightroom secrets to help ease your workflow.

This is the perfect opportunity to see why Seth’s inspired photography and technological expertise make him one of the top influencers in photography today.

For more information on this event:

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=WS_CanonResnick_102110

On October 20, 2010 I will be speaking at The Photography Club of Lower Fairfield County. The event is free and opened to the public and titled R&R FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
Resilience & Rejuvenation, or How to Last & Love What You Do .

For additional info http://www.pclfc.com/

On October 21, 2010 I will be speaking at Adorama in New York. I will be showing images from Iceland and Antarctica as well as some Lightroom and Photoshop tricks. For additional info http://www.adorama.com/

Both events are sponsored by Canon as part of the Canon Explorer of Light program