You accept a photo, simply y'all take no idea where it was taken. Is at that place whatsoever way y'all discover where a motion picture was taken?

While there'southward no 100% guarantee you'll ever figure it out, in that location are a few things you can attempt to suss out the origins of your mystery snap.

Also, exist sure to check out our YouTube aqueduct where nosotros posted a short video that goes through some of the stuff we talk almost in this article.

EXIF Data Is Always The Kickoff Cease

EXIF information is a form of metadata that can exist found in some JPEG and TIFF images. If the camera which took the picture has a GPS unit, and then it will tag the image with the GPS coordinates of where the image was taken every bit part of that EXIF data.

Armed with these coordinates, all y'all take to do is put them into Google Maps, which will of form tell yous where the photographer was standing when the photo was taken.

If that sounds too like shooting fish in a barrel, that's considering it is. Y'all'll often discover that a given image has no EXIF data at all. Despite the fact that smartphones are the most common source of photos and all take GPS sensors in them, pop services such as Facebook and Twitter strip EXIF data from images specifically to forbid privacy violations. So if your epitome is sourced from them this is going to be a dead end.

Incidentally, check out our commodity on how to remove EXIF data yourself, which also happens to show you lot how to view that data in the process. Alternatively, you can use an online EXIF viewer.

Search GPS Coordinates On Google Map/Street View

While finding the GPS coordinates is like shooting fish in a barrel enough, y'all need to plug them into a map system in guild to notice the exact location. The good news is that Google Maps actually supports raw GPS coordinates.

Google has excellent instructions on how to do it, what format information technology should exist in and how the method varies from one platform to the next. Just remember that GPS coordinates are not precise, at least not on civilian systems. So it may be out past a few meters.

So, if possible, activate Street View for the location in question and and then await around to see if you lot can find the aforementioned spot the picture was taken from. Of course, if the location is indoors or somewhere that the Street View team tin't attain, this won't help much.

Reverse Epitome Search Tin can Give You lot Context

There are diverse reverse paradigm search services on the cyberspace that employ various fancy ways to detect where on the net the source image can exist found. That doesn't necessarily tell you lot directly where the photograph was taken, just if you are lucky information technology volition pb you to additional information about the image.

For example, yous may find tags, captions or contact information for those who run a site. Those data sources can then solve the mystery of where the photo was taken. Maybe.

If y'all're looking for skillful tools to detect where a picture was taken like this, nosotros suggest either Google or TinEye.

Catechumen The Paradigm Into Search Terms

Opposite epitome search doesn't always do a proficient task, but that doesn't mean all hope is lost when trying to find the original source of an epitome. Wait at your prototype and endeavour to come up up with search terms that describe it.

Then put these terms into Google and switch over to the image results section. If you lot're lucky then yous'll become your original image in the results, given that it'due south on the spider web in the first identify.

If you don't strike gilt right away, get imaginative with your keywords and try different iterations. Sometimes the keywords that become you lot to the image you lot wanted may exist a little left of field.

Check For Landmarks Or Other Clues

If the higher up methods don't get you whatever closer to finding where a pic was taken, it might be fourth dimension to put your serious detective hat on. Expect carefully at the image for things that tie information technology to a specific fourth dimension and place. By looking at habiliment, objects, fashion and other relevant details of the epitome.

Expect upwardly these individual items on Google to learn where they come from or whatsoever other information that could help pin a photo's origin. You lot can also use this method to get additional keywords for the previous method. At the very least this fleck of basic sleuthing can narrow down the location to a specific country, region or city. Make names, for instance, can be very specific to detail places.

Enquire The Internet For Aid

If yous've wearied the easier methods of figuring out where a photograph comes from, then in that location's no shame in request other people for help. Twitter, Facebook, forums and other places where people gather online.

Of course, you can't just shout into the ether and hope someone gets back to you. The content of your prototype and your reasons for wanting the location will decide where you go for aid. For instance, if you know that an prototype was taken in Nippon, but not where in Japan information technology was taken, y'all may postal service a question in a group that specialized in Japanese geography or tourism.

If you have a photo of an result or, for case, a band, you'll want to post a question in a fan group. Basically, as for assist among people who are likely to know the answer.

Elementary, My Love Watson?

Finding the origin of a photo and determining where information technology was taken can be quick and easy or an exercise in extreme frustration. This means that at some point in your hunt you'll have to think carefully how of import it is to solve the puzzle.

If it's just a matter of casual curiosity and so it's hardly worth scouring the internet for an reply. If still it's really of import, and so the most of import tip nosotros can give y'all is to be patient. While you lot may not find the answers today, the web is always in flux. Information is being added all the time, so even if the photo is obscure or seemingly a total mystery, if y'all keep checking every at present and and so, the truth may finally be revealed.