How can I add geo location for photos that Google Photos will use

Started by xanderdore, May 16, 2021, 04:04:08 PM

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xanderdore

I'm looking for a way to add the GPS location in order for Google Photos to use them.
I scanned a bunch of old photos and it would be great if I could also add the location in there.
I already used http://www.mynthon.net/static/exif-geotag-generator/map.html and it seems to work great. I get the commands, I run them if I check the GPS data is integrated into the metadata.
I also used https://www.picageotag.com/en/. And it's the same thing. If I run the command to check the metadata all fields are there.
I see in the metadata of the photos the GPS Version, GPS Latitude Ref, GPS Longitude Ref, GPS Latitude, GPS Longitude, GPS Position all with values.
When I upload them to Google Photos it seems not to care about these and asks me if I want to add the Location by hand (this location is only used by Google Photos).

Also I checked a "normal" smartphone photo and I see it has extra fields:
GPS:
GPSAltitude
GPSAltitudeRef
GPSDestBearing
GPSHPositioningError
GPSImgDirection
GPSImgDirectionRef
GPSLatitude
GPSLongitude
GPSLatitudeRef
GPSLongitudeRef
GPSSpeed
GPSSpeedRef

Composite:
GPSAltitude
GPSLongitude
GPSLatitude
GPSPosition


I'll try to add a generic GPSAltitude. Google Photos could have some backend logic where they use GPS data from a photo if it contains certain attributes.

I also added to these photos a timestamp and description and for these Google Photos has no problem using them.

Does anyone have any idea?

Thank you,
Xander

StarGeek

What kind of images?  What is the output from this command for your file
exiftool -G1 -a -s -gps* file.jpg

I just uploaded two jpg images to Google Photos.  One with GPS coordinates only in the EXIF block
---- GPS ----
GPSVersionID                    : 2.3.0.0
GPSLatitudeRef                  : North
GPSLatitude                     : 40 deg 41' 21.12"
GPSLongitudeRef                 : West
GPSLongitude                    : 74 deg 2' 40.20"

and one with GPS coordinates only in the XMP block
---- XMP-exif ----
GPSLatitude                     : 40 deg 41' 21.12" N
GPSLongitude                    : 74 deg 2' 40.20" W


In both cases, Google photos properly located the images
"It didn't work" isn't helpful. What was the exact command used and the output.
Read FAQ #3 and use that cmd
Please use the Code button for exiftool output

Please include your OS/Exiftool version/filetype