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Showing posts with the label Google Maps Local Guide

Capturing the World One Pin at a Time.

There’s something truly exciting about seeing your own photographs appear on Google Maps — a visual trail of places visited, memories made, and moments captured. I’ve always loved photographing different locations, whether it’s a landmark, a tucked-away viewpoint, or something as simple as a bridge. But what I enjoy even more is the process of adding those images as pins to the map. 🌍✨ With each photo uploaded, a tiny footprint is left behind — not just for me, but for others navigating the same roads. It’s rewarding knowing that someone searching for a viewpoint, a historic church, or a hidden gem might find my photo helpful in making their own travel decisions. For those who don’t want to share photos publicly, there’s a great option in the form of GeoPhoto , a paid desktop app. πŸ“ΈπŸ—Ί️ It displays your geotagged images right on a map interface — and seeing those little image bubbles popping up all over is such a satisfying experience. I’ve used it to explore my own journey visually...

Why I Take Time to Curate My Google Maps Contributions.

As someone passionate about photography and travel, contributing to Google Maps has become more than a hobby, it’s a responsibility I take seriously. My journey began when one of my images of Urquhart Castle reached over 3.3 million views on Google Maps. That moment truly inspired me to keep sharing meaningful, helpful content with the wider world. Since then, I’ve added thousands of contributions, including reviews, photos, and even fixing map inaccuracies or removing duplicate listings. I’ve even added new businesses to the map that weren’t there before! πŸ“Έ DSLR Over Mobile — Here’s Why While it’s easy to snap and upload a photo directly from a phone, I personally prefer using a DSLR. The difference in clarity, composition, and control is huge. But it’s not the fastest route. I like to edit my images before uploading. I avoid sharing photos straight from my mobile device. One big challenge? No built-in GPS on most DSLRs. This means I have to manually pinpoint the location — which isn...

From Camera to Contribution

I’ve been contributing to Google Maps for a few years now, and while it may seem as simple as snapping a photo and uploading it, there’s a lot more to it, especially if, like me, you're passionate about photography and doing things properly. I’ll be honest: I don’t love uploading raw photographs straight from a mobile. My preferred process involves capturing images on a DSLR, taking them home, reviewing and editing them, and only then uploading. For me, it's about more than just ticking a location box. It's about contributing thoughtfully. 🎯 Why Take the Extra Steps? Uploading to Google Maps carries a certain responsibility. Out of respect for others, I always try to avoid faces and car registrations in my shots. Even though photos taken in public spaces are allowed, let’s be real, no one wants their face turning up uninvited on Google Maps. I usually avoid including people altogether, or if unavoidable, I blur faces and plates in post-processing. πŸ“· The DSLR Challenge: No...

🌍 How My Photo of Urquhart Castle Reached Over 3 Million Views on Google Maps.

From a young age, I’ve loved travelling and exploring the world — but I never imagined that a single photo I took would end up being seen over 3.3 million times. That’s exactly what happened with my image of Urquhart Castle, perched dramatically on the edge of Loch Ness in Scotland. πŸ“Έ That photo didn’t just go viral — it changed the way I see travel. 🏰 The Moment at Urquhart Castle It was during a day trip to Inverness that I visited Urquhart Castle. With only a limited amount of time, I explored the area around the castle and took in the breath-taking views from nearby vantage points. The photo in question was taken overlooking Loch Ness, with the castle ruins nestled in the landscape — timeless, powerful, and quietly beautiful. Without overthinking it, I uploaded the image to Google Maps alongside a few others from the trip. I had no idea what would happen next. Urquhart Castle, Inverness, Scotland. πŸ”₯ Over 3.3 Million Views Later… Not long after uploading, I noticed the view count...