GeoTag is a free OS X application (OS X version 10.5 or later 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 tool. GeoTag requires ExifTool (and a network connection for google maps) to run.

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

• Import images from my camera to a folder on my desktop. I use a script to copy the images and rename them according to the date and time the image was taken. ExifTool is also used in this task.
• Import the tracklog from my GPS in GPX format. I use the application LoadMyTracks to do that job.
• Match the images downloaded from the camera with the tracklog retrieved from the GPS using the application GPSPhotoLinker.
• 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.
• Import the tagged photos into a project in Aperture (or an event in iPhoto).

Note: Aperture 3 and iPhoto '09 support "places", built-in geotagging. GeoTag is not needed, but some may still find it useful.

Note 2: Due to the way Aperture and iPhoto currently handle meta-data, geolocation changes using GeoTagmust be made before the photos are imported.

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 and Install

Download Now Click on the button to download a dmg containing the current version 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 start tagging photos.

Recent 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.

Demonstration Video

See GeoTag Help for more information.

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