Have you ever stumbled upon a picture that triggered your curiosity to find the exact location where it was captured? We are sure most of you have been in such a situation once or multiple times. Several years ago, when the internet was not so accessible, it was pretty difficult to know the exact location where a picture was taken.
However, the easy accessibility of the internet and the advent of advanced technology have made plenty of things easier, and finding the exact location where a photo was taken is also one of them. Although finding the exact location where a photo was captured is still not 100% possible, you can try a few methods to figure out the origin of a photo.
Sometimes, you can easily find the exact location where a picture was snapped, while in other instances, the process may become frustrating. Nevertheless, these methods are worth a try. However, you can only use these methods when you know them. We have discussed a few ways to find out where a photo was taken in this article.
Read on to learn more about these methods.
EXIF Data Could Be a Good Start
Most pictures are captured through smartphone cameras nowadays. Most smartphones and modern cameras are programmed to attach EXIF data to image files. You can consider this EXIF data as metadata for images. This data features plenty of details about a particular image. It could be detailed enough to tell you about the camera that shot the picture and its manufacturer, lens type, and shutter speed.
It may also tell you about the data and time when a particular snap was taken. Also, the smartphone’s GPS capturing the snap was enabled when the photo was taken. In that case, the EXIF data will also feature GPS coordinates of the exact location where the picture was captured.
Similarly, if the photo was taken through a digital camera featuring a GPS unit, GPS coordinates will be featured in the image’s EXIF data. You can use these GPS coordinates to track the exact location where a photo was taken.
Take Help of a Reverse Image Search
It is worth mentioning that although smartphones and digital cameras create EXIF data from images, most social media platforms strip it when images are uploaded on them to ensure users’ privacy. So, if a picture is sourced from a social media platform, you won’t find anything in its EXIF data.
When you come across a photo with stripped EXIF data, giving up on the venture of finding the exact location where it was captured with unsatisfied curiosity is not a good idea.
The reverse image search method is here to help you. An advanced reverse image search utility capable of fetching visually similar results from various databases in one go. Upload the photo triggering your curiosity, and tap on the search button.
The advanced reverse photo lookup tool will look for visually similar results across various search engine databases. You may find the origin of the same snap over the internet or in photos with similar backgrounds but more details about the spot.
Pay Attention to Detail and Search the Web
Another great way to find the exact location where a photo was captured is by paying attention to details and then converting the image into a search query. Check the background and look for highlights in the picture that are triggering your curiosity.
You will surely see something unique or prominent that can help you find where that photo was taken. It could be a skyscraper, beach, river, forest, or mountain range.
The highlight in that particular picture can take center stage in your web search. Additionally, look for text in that image. For instance, the picture making you feel curious may feature a signboard or flex with something written on it. Try to identify the language to perform an effective web search.
For instance, you can search for “a monumental gate-like building in India.” Doing so will help you identify where a photo was captured.
Ask Other Netizens for Assistance
When nothing works for you, but you are still curious about the location where the photo was taken, you can consider asking other netizens about the location where the photo was taken. Simply upload the picture on a social media platform or forum that allows people to ask questions and get their answers.
You will find multiple groups or channels on social media platforms where people share their snaps and experiences regarding travel and tourism.
Netizens associated with such forums, groups, or channels have plenty of knowledge about various geographical regions and can share their two cents about various places.
When you upload a picture and ask people for the exact location where it was taken, they will see it with proper attention, and those who have visited the place and remembered it will be quick to answer. Such netizens will tell you the location’s name and give more details about it, like how to get there, etc.
Putting it Together
Curiosity is a natural feeling that emerges when you see something unknown but want to know more about it. This curiosity may emerge when you stumble upon a picture and start wondering about the location where it was taken. The internet could be your friend in finding the exact location.
We have discussed a few effective methods to help you find the location where a picture was taken. Hopefully, you will find this helpful article!
