Geocoding, Why You Need It, What HW/SW Is Required
Geocoding adds information about where the picture was taken to the photo. The information isn't a description, such as the corner of Third and Main, but the Latitude and Longitudinal coordinates.
Fortunately, we don't need to know how to convert lat/long coordinates into the corner of Third and Main. Mapping software has that capability built in. Take a look at this map, which shows where we took photos in London. A click on any map marker shows the photo taken at that spot.
Why bother with geocoding? The best reason is for those born long after us. I've been restoring old family photos the last few years and wish I knew where they were taken. Geocoding preserves a little bit more of our personal history and it's not that hard to add.
For existing photos with no geocode data, the best way I've found to add it is the excellent, free program GeoSetter. The interface is well done and it runs locally, which makes the process much faster than using the SmugMug geocoder. The biggest downside is it's PC only.
For future photos, there are a number of ways to avoid a manual geocoding process. If we have a standalone GPS tracker that can output a log of where we were over time, we have a new option. Take the GPS tracker and turn it on during the photos shoot. Afterward, Geosetter is used to synchronize the coordinates from the GPS tracker log with the photos are "synchronized" by comparing timestamps. (This does mean the camera's clock and GPS clock must agree on what time it is!) I do not geocode this way, so I can't recommend specific GPS trackers or other software packages.
A number of DSLR's now come with sockets to attach GPS trackers directly to the camera. When the shot is taken, the camera reads the coordinates from the GPS tracker and adds them to the metadata in the photo. There are two pieces - a GPS tracker and the connecting cable. A number of options exist. PC-Mobile has cables for Nikons. These cables support the Garmin Foretrex 101, which is one of the smallest standalone GPS units. Nikon also makes the MC-35 GPS cable, but it doesn't come with the connector used on the Foretrex. I have a PC-Mobile cable and a Foretrex. They work correctly with both a Nikon D200 and D700. PC-Mobile also has a standalone GPS unit for a limited set of Nikons, but I have no experience with it. Improper and even proper use of these devices could fry your camera. They are not factory authorized solutions! Use at your own risk.
For the most current, pro-sumer and pro level Nikons, there's also the Nikon GP-1. It's a GPS tracker and cable in one unit. I've used one for several trips with a D700 and it's great.
Before long, GPS will be built into all new cameras and this won't be a problem. Nikon's Coolpix P6000 Point and Shoot camera comes with a GPS tracker built in. Modern phone cameras, such as the iPhone, also geocode automatically. The Eye-Fi company has a clever geocoding solution for cameras that use SDHC memory cards.
Please geocode at least your most memorable shots. It will be greatly appreciated by folks you'll never meet and who are trying to connect with you the best they can.
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