I’ve been contemplating getting a GPS tracking device for use with my camera. I like the idea of being able to record specifically where each photograph was taken. So I’ve been looking at the Sony GPS device as shown in this here image. Trouble is, I’m trying to save some money and this would currently set me back £82.76 on Amazon.
The device basically creates a text file in which it records your location at certain intervals. Then, once you get back to your computer you use software to combine this file with your photos, and it will add details of your location to the EXIF data of each picture. Very simple really. So I wondered if there was something I could get which I could use on a device I own which already has GPS. My iPhone. And guess what? There is!
It’s called Trails and it works in exactly the same way as the Sony device, taking readings of your location at regular intervals and saving them to a text file. You then have the phone email that text file to an address of your choice or upload it directly to EveryTrail.com so that you can share your journey with others. It comes very highly reviewed on iTunes and only costs £1.19. So even if it turns out to be a bit of a dud, or if it eats the iPhone’s battery like I fully expect it to, it’s not going to be too big a blow. I may invest in a portable charger for the phone, which although is an extra expense, is certain to cost a lot less than forking out on the little white Sony box.
The only other bit to think about after that is how to get the information into the data of each photo. Well I’ve also found a plug-in today for Adobe Lightroom which I’m hoping will solve all my problems. It adds a simple menu option to select a bunch of photos and import the data. Obviously not sure how well this works yet as I don’t have any data, but I will be off out with my camera tomorrow after which I’ll report back on the successfulness of both Trails and the Lightroom add-in.
I have far too many things I want to do, but never get around to doing. So this morning I just decided to hell with it. I’ve booked a room for a long weekend for next February in Scotland. Not very far into Scotland mind, as to travel to the Highlands for only a couple of days seems a bit too much.
It’s a Travelodge in Dumfries which will take me close enough to Galloway Forest Park to be able to spend some time wandering around the hills and lochs, but not so far into Scotland as to take too much time to get there. Plus the Highlands at that time of year mind prove to be just a little bit too cold. But I should hopefully be able to get some great shots of ‘the highlands of the lowlands’.
I still need to remember to book a car to get me there though, and I want to buy some more equipment for the camera before then (namely an extra battery and grip, as well as a GPS tracker so I can record where I’ve been. Maybe another couple of memory cards too).
