The DAKAR Rally 2010 course map

The 2010 Dakar Rally starts from Buenos Aires to Cordoba and follows a gruelling course across South America - see 2010 course info here. News updates here.

Last year saw the rally in South America for the first time away from it's usual France to Dakar route (originally the Paris - Dakar rally) due to increasing terrorist threats directed at the rally competitors in North Africa. Slightly "off piste" for a geotag photography blog but you can guarantee that the photographers covering the race will be geotagging.

I love this sport. It's the nearest you can get to real life "Wackey Races". High speed, high thrills and map reading ! There is no greater adventure on the planet.

Nikon teams up with National Geographic

The Nikon and National Geographic brands are getting together for joint advertising of their committment to celebrate the natural world and increase awareness of the vulnerability of much plant and animal life on the planet.

See link: Nikon teams up with National Geographic

Wet weather camera with GPS

It's raining outside and made me think about the ideal camera for geotagged photography in bad weather conditions. Short of going for a fully encased digital SLR system (but how do you weather proof the add on GPS attachment particularly if it's on the hot shoe?) I can't think of a better camera than the RICOH 500SE released a couple of years ago.

Photo courtesy of Ricoh USA Geo Imaging

See these links for the Ricoh 500SE at PMA show report & DP Photojournal

One on the earliest companies on the geotagging/gps photography scene were Geospatial Experts in the US and they sell a line of Ricoh 500SE and GPS module solutions which include their own software called GPS Photo Link

Best current camera for geotagging?

In my view the best current digital camera for general photography with gps tags included with the photo is the Nikon P6000.

See this link to Nikon UK/EU for product info. on the P6000 with built in GPS: Nikon Coolpix P6000.

All the usual digital camera features are there with a 13 Mpixel sensor for good sized enlargements and an easy hold grip which allows for single handed operation. The GPS takes a few minutes to lock on to the satellites, particularly after moving any distance. It can seem like an age while you wait and it seems to respond best to being left in the same position while it works out where it is. However, this disadvantage is the same on all the GPS units that I have tried, including a number of Garmin systems. Once the satellites have been locked you can walk around taking shots with the camera hanging on it's neck strap and it keeps satellite lock well showing a confirmation on the back screen in the shape of a small satellite symbol.

It is definitely a whole lot easier to carry, and much cheaper, than my other SLR based system with a Garmin Geko clamped to the hotshoe. Well recommended.

Launch of GeoTag ImageSE

Today marks the launch of GeoTag Image SE the sister blog to www.imagesoutheast.co.uk/ by Rich Hall.

GeoTag Image SE aims to provide relevant news, information and useful links to support anyone interested in tagging location information in to their digital photography and video.

Go direct to map ready image galleries supported by SMUGMUG photosharing site at this link imagesoutheast.smugmug.com