GeoTag source code is now available on github [link]

GeoTag is a free OS X application (OS X version 10.6 or later and 64-bit systems required) that allows you to update image meta-data with geolocation tags by panning and zooming in a google map then clicking on the location where a photo was taken. It is a good way to add location information to photos or fine tune existing information. Actual image updating is performed using Phil Harvey’s ExifTool. See http://www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool/ for information regarding ExifTool and to download a Mac OS X Package of this very useful program. GeoTag requires ExifTool (and a network connection for google maps) to run.

Version 2.0 REQUIRES a 64-bit system running Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6) or later.

GeoTag must be used before importing images into iPhoto or Aperture. My typical workflow for tagging photos with GeoTag is:

• Import the tracklog from my GPS in GPX format. I used the application LoadMyTracks to do that job when I was using a Garmin GPS.
• Import images from my camera to a folder. I use a script to copy the images and rename them according to the date the image was taken. ExifTool is also used in this task.
• Match the images downloaded from the camera with the tracklog retrieved from the GPS based upon timestanp. I use ExifTool to do this job, too, in combination with the previous step.
• Use GeoTag to assign, update, or delete geolocation tags in any images that were taken away from the GPS. Example: The GPS may indicate the parking lot of a park I’m visiting, not the trail where the photo was taken.

Notes:

• Aperture 3 and iPhoto ‘09 support “places”, built-in geotagging. GeoTag is not needed with these applications, but some may still find it useful.
• Due to the way Aperture and iPhoto handle meta-data geolocation changes using GeoTag must be made before the photos are imported.

Screenshot

Screenshot

Click on the thumbnail to see a full size screen-shot of GeoTag in use. The table on the left lists the files to process. The upper right displays the image for the currently selected file, and the lower right is a simplified google map web view.’);

Download 2.0 Now Click on the button to download a dmg containing version 2.0 of GeoTag. The dmg should automatically open as a volume on your desktop. Drag the GeoTag.app to the desired location and close the volume. Start the application and begin tagging photos. Version 2.0 REQUIRES a 64-bit system running Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6) or later. Click here for version 1.8 which runs on Leopard and 32-bit i386 systems.

Change log

2012-01-21

v2.0: Allow multiple items to be selected at the same time for easier tagging of multiple images taken at the same location. Internal changes and bug fixes that, alas, resulted in dropping support for Leopard (OS X 10.5) and 32-bit systems. Version 1.8 is still available for those who need to run on Leopard or 32-bit only systems.

2012-01-12

v1.8: A few bug fixes and a feature change… the map will no longer change zoom level when dropping a marker. Note: updating the image display for large raw images on 4 year old hardware takes about 3 seconds the first time an image is shown. Not sure if I can do anything about that.

2010-11-27

v1.7: Images rendering changed for faster operation at the cost of memory use. Slight speed up when selecting a large raw image such as the 25 MByte files produced by my Canon 7D.

2009-09-07

v1.6: Misc internal changes.

2009-09-07

v1.5.1: Important Bug Fix: Changes in Google Maps broke the marker code. The code was incorrect, but happened to work prior to the Google Maps changes. This update corrects the code. Without this update location markers will be displayed when they shouldn’t be, and not displayed when they should.

2009-08-22

v1.5: Fix typos in the help book. Note that markers can now be dragged.

2009-08-13

v1.4: The google maps v3 API now allows markers to be dragged. Enable their use in GeoTag. A marker can be placed by either clicking on the map or by dragging an existing marker to a new location.

2009-08-08

v1.3: For better performance metadata is read using OS X core graphics functions instead of using exiftool. Exiftool is still used to update images to avoid changing anything other than metadata. Some minor display glitches fixed.

2009-08-04

v1.2: rotate images when necessary. Don’t redraw map when the location hasn’t changed.

2009-07-25

v1.1: mostly internal code changes. Help book updated. Map now updated when pending changes are reverted.

2009-07-13

Added “Clear list items” to the File menu.

See GeoTag Help for more information.