Inspired by Chuck Behrman's message "I’ve been experimenting with adding GPS geo-coding to my raw images using some free apps and the iPhone," I looked into it, and I just (sort of) successfully recorded a GPS track on my iPhone using free GeoCorder, and added that GPS location information to my images, using free opensource GPicSync, to a card full of images from my Canon 5D RAW CR2 files (For workflow convenience, GPicSync will work on Canon RAW CR2 files, evidently adding the GPS information to the .xmp sidecar file?).  GPictSync offers to make a backup of your RAW or JPG "originals," or you can manage your own workflow and make backups yourself before starting.  You can also add the GPS data later to any converted RAW images(e.g., JPGs) of course.

On the iPhone I used the free (ad-based)  GeoCorder app, which was just fine for importing GPS data into my SLR camera RAW CR2 files.  (It works as well of course importing into a JPGs, or derivatives of the RAWs, such as TIFFs or JPGs).    The free iPhone app GeoCorder records a standard GPS .gpx data exchange format (http://www.topografix.com/gpx_for_users.asp) self-defining file (which you can open it in Notebook to see the data) which can be emailed to yourself from the iPhone to be on your PC or Mac waiting for you when you return from shooting. 

I "successfully" used the free easy-to-use opensource GPicSync software to add my iPhone's GPS information to my images.  There seem to be a lot of packages that will do this.  (Actually, a quirk in my experiment resulted in one image not being added automatically to the Flickr map, and two others inherited GPS data from another earlier location because the iPhone app terminated when another app started... learning curve... I'm convinced it all works fine)

I have uploaded three images to a set on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/sets/72157622910929788/ , where you were supposed to be able to verify that the images plotted on the map there were done properly and w/o any further work on my part.

(3 test images of the outflow pipe and a bulldozer moving the sand dredgings around).

My Nikon P6000 was the only camera I had that recorded GPS into the actual camera EXIF data fields at shoot time.  I often took that P6000 along just to snap some reference GPS points.  Now that I have an iPhone, maybe I'll just be synchronizing my whole card of images to an iPhone track... or maybe not - it is another step in the workflow that the Nikon P6000 totally eliminates.

There are many free and low-cost software for Windows and Mac to import GPS .gpx file location information into the EXIT fields of your images.  Many GPS units come with such software too.  Similarly, many free apps offer mapping and plotting of your images, just like Flickr maps plots your images that have GPS information encoded.  I have listed some packages below that you may want to look at.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/gpicsync/  GPicSync (for Windows and Macs) OpenSource from SourceForge is what I used [Note: set UTC Offset to -6 hours, and add oliver@... to your address book, as the e-mail will appear to come from that developer]

Based on backend tools http://www.gpsbabel.org/ and http://www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool/

more on http://code.google.com/p/gpicsync/ (GPicSync)  http://sourceforge.net/projects/gpicsync/ 

• New Windows releases must be downloaded on Sourceforge.
• GPicSync for Linux users
• GPIcSync for OS X users

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MapWith.Us has an iPhone app - by GeoMonkey the inventor of collaborative mapping.  Create an account at http://www.mapwith.us/ - I'm mikebaird there.

http://www.wonderfulphotos.com/articles/cameras/gps_photos/ to http://www.robogeo.com/   (Robogeo) $40 (I was too cheap to try this one, but there is a free demo version you can check out)

http://www.earthquakemap.com/ (Photos on Tracks)

Mac uses might further look at HoudaGeo (http://www.screencastsonline.com/index_files/SCO0138-houdah.php ).

I also downloaded the Houdah iPhone app locrExplorer (free, for now), And Houdah locrUpload (free) - uploads to their map at locr.com (I'm mikebaird there).

HoudahGeo an application that allows you to easily "geotag" your photos with location data without needing access to a specialized GPS device or expensive GPS enabled camera. HoudaGeo lets you simply add in location data visually using either a simple Map option or using its built in integration with Google Earth. But if you have got a GPS tracker, it can use that as well

There seems to be an exploding plethora of Auto-geotaging software solutions http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-geotagging  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocoded_photograph#Synchronizing_with_a_separate_GPS

Maybe Chuck will volunteer up what software he's found most useful too.

Have fun!  Share your ideas as you too investigate - that's what keep us all learning.

Mike Baird  mike [at} mikebaird d o t com  flickr.bairdphotos.com   photomorrobay.com   iPhone (805) 704-2064 (primary #, text, voicemail); alt home (805) 772-2044

New Join Morro Bay Tech Tips Yahoo! Group at bit.ly/MBTechTips

I recommend Dropbox (2GB's are free) for sharing large files.

Welcome to Walter D. Bauer (Doug) who just joined our photomorrobay Yahoo! Group.  We met today at the Rock... a 300m f/2.8 and 600mm f/4 lens owner can't walk past each other without starting a conversation!

Be sure to invite new photogs you meet to join our photomorrobay Yahoo! and Flickr Groups... just point them to our gateway at http://photomorrobay.com

Mike Baird  mike [at} mikebaird d o t com  flickr.bairdphotos.com   photomorrobay.com   iPhone (805) 704-2064 (primary #, text, voicemail); alt home (805) 772-2044

New Join Morro Bay Tech Tips Yahoo! Group at bit.ly/MBTechTips

Matt, That forum sounds real promising.  Let me knock this around my fellow surf photogs at

http://www.flickr.com/groups/morrobay-surfing/  and cc:d here.

I'm pretty booked up short term but this is definitely something I'm interested in.

Good Clean Fun rocks, and your local presence can build community.

Mike Baird  mike [at} mikebaird d o t com  flickr.bairdphotos.com   photomorrobay.com   iPhone (805) 704-2064 (primary #, text, voicemail); alt home (805) 772-2044

New Join Morro Bay Tech Tips Yahoo! Group at bit.ly/MBTechTips

Good morning Mike,

If you are not following Thomas Shahan http://www.flickr.com/photos/7539598@N04/  on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/7539598@N04/3339417842/ you are missing some amazing macro-photography.

See his most interesting at http://apps.gagalabs.com/flickr/interestingby?id=7539598@N04&theme=white

Mike Baird  mike [at} mikebaird d o t com  flickr.bairdphotos.com   photomorrobay.com   iPhone (805) 704-2064 (primary #, text, voicemail); alt home (805) 772-2044

New Join Morro Bay Tech Tips Yahoo! Group at bit.ly/MBTechTips

B&H has a reasonably good " B&H 2009 Point-and-Shoot Buyer's Guide" at http://bit.ly/BH-PS-guide

(same as   http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/find/newsLetter/Point-and-Shoot-Buyers-Guide.jsp )

Of course, these guides are only as good as they are current - this one is just in time for the 2009 holiday gifting season.

Mike Baird  mike [at} mikebaird d o t com  flickr.bairdphotos.com   photomorrobay.com   iPhone (805) 704-2064 (primary #, text, voicemail); alt home (805) 772-2044

New Join Morro Bay Tech Tips Yahoo! Group at bit.ly/MBTechTips

Our own Linda Tanner performs again - winning the Sierra Club Daily Ray of Hope for her "Starlings At Dusk-Explore #71 Nov 2, 2009" at    http://www.flickr.com/photos/goingslo/4067593977/  - well deserved.  I'm continually amazed at the creativity and productivity of the photomorrobay members - you all rock!

Mike Baird  mike [at} mikebaird d o t com  flickr.bairdphotos.com   photomorrobay.com   iPhone (805) 704-2064 (primary #, text, voicemail); alt home (805) 772-2044

New Join Morro Bay Tech Tips Yahoo! Group at bit.ly/MBTechTips

Photo Opportunities abound at the many CA State Park Adventures with Nature (AWN) docent-led walks posted at http://ccnha.org/naturewalks.html

While Jerry Kirkhart and I occasionally lead "Digital Photo Walks (DPW) under the auspices of AWN, many other interpreted walks provide rich opportunities for the photographer.

For example, tomorrow Sunday 15 Nov 2009 at 3PM there is a low-tide walk " Life and Times on the Shore" led by Norma Wightman and Gwen Infante, hitting the -0.7 foot ultra low tide.  http://ccnha.org/descrip.html#074 says  " Life and Times on the Shore Along Morro Strand to North Point rocky shore, observe life on the shore and in the tide pools and learn about seasonal changes on the beach. Bring binoculars, wear sturdy beach shoes and layered clothing.  Take Hwy.1 north to Yerba Buena exit to meet at Morro Strand State Beach entrance station in North Morro Bay. (M) 1 mi., 1.5 hr."  I'm going to try to attend this one. 

Bring a macro lens if you have one with tripod and flash perhaps, to capture the tidepool organisms at Northpoint.  Norma and Gwen will be explaining what you are seeing and can answer most questions about the plants and organisms.

I encourage you to join (starting from just $25) the Sponsoring organization, the Central Coast Natural History Association (CCNHA), to support our State Parks, and to get the monthly newsletter and calendar of events.  Also, if you like for your images to get exposure amongst this community, the Nature newsletter editors are always looking for quality images to go with their articles.

http://ccnha.org/membership.html says:

The Mission of the Central Coast Natural History Association (CCNHA) is to support and fund interpretive and educational programs that promote understanding and conservation of the natural and cultural resources of the local State parks.  We invite you to join the CCNHA membership and help to insure education in our local state parks for a quarter million people annually. In addition, you will enjoy many benefits by becoming a member of the CCNHA. A variety of memberships are available for individuals, families and businesses, with benefits ranging from free museum admission to gift shop discounts to donor level recognition. All annual memberships receive: unlimited admission for one adult to the Museum of Natural History at Morro Bay State Park, use of the Museum library, Nature Notes quarterly newsletter, 10% discount at all CCNHA Nature Stores, invitations to special events, Kids Rock Club (kids under age twelve section on ccnha.org, annual birthday card from Rocky and invitations to age appropriate events).

Mike Baird  mike [at} mikebaird d o t com  flickr.bairdphotos.com   photomorrobay.com   iPhone (805) 704-2064 (primary #, text, voicemail); alt home (805) 772-2044

New Join Morro Bay Tech Tips Yahoo! Group at bit.ly/MBTechTips

AmazingMail http://amazingmail.com/ is something I use almost every day to share a photo with a friend or relative who does not use a computer.

I seem to recommend this service to many people.  And, it seems that no one knows about it, but when they find out, they are indeed amazed.

For less than $2 you can upload a number of photos, and they will be printed in high quality, along with whatever text you like beside or over the images, laminated, stamped, and mailed... cheaper than you can do it for sure.  I prefer the 8.5" x 11" Folded format.  That way I send (2) full-bleed 5.5" x 8.5" photos, a full 8.5x4.5 page of text, and an accent photo under the return address.  A mailing list stored online makes it easy to send another card in the future.  Try it.  Sometimes they offer the first card for free. 

Mike Baird  mike [at} mikebaird d o t com  flickr.bairdphotos.com   photomorrobay.com   iPhone (805) 704-2064 (primary #, text, voicemail); alt home (805) 772-2044

New Join Morro Bay Tech Tips Yahoo! Group at bit.ly/MBTechTips

Docents, photographers, you may want to know, if interacting with our visitors and discussing our beautiful brown Pelicans, that the "Brown Pelican Soars Off U.S. Endangered Species List."  An article today (which came to my attention because it used one of my uglier Pelican photos J) says in part [ read the entire article at  http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2009/2009-11-11-01.asp ] ...

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, November 11, 2009 (ENS) - The brown pelican, a species once nearly exterminated by hunting and the pesticide DDT, has recovered and is being removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species, wildlife officials said today.   "At a time when so many species of wildlife are threatened, we once in a while have an opportunity to celebrate an amazing success story," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "Today is such a day. The brown pelican is back!"  There are now more than 650,000 brown pelicans ... The final rule removing the bird from the list of threatened and endangered species will be published in the Federal Register shortly and will take effect 30 days after publication.

Mike Baird  mike [at} mikebaird d o t com  flickr.bairdphotos.com   photomorrobay.com   iPhone (805) 704-2064 (primary #, text, voicemail); alt home (805) 772-2044

New Join Morro Bay Tech Tips Yahoo! Group at bit.ly/MBTechTips

See attached (courtesy of Karen Kile (kkile@...))  for more info about this great photo presentation.

PS, Karen, feel free to join and post directly to our 284 members at http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/photomorrobay/

 Monday, November 16, 2009 7pm Tickets available at the door

 The Art Center presents Movie Night

Manufactured Landscapes

Directed by: Jennifer Baichwal

2006, color, 90 minutes

From its stunning eight-minute opening shot to the remarkable documenta­tion of China’s Three Gorges Dam, Manufactured Landscapes is an

impressive experience. That’s partly due to the size and space of the land­scapes, but mostly because of the beauty of the images--their composition and color, a sharp contrast to the film’s content: this is a luscious world of destruction. Ultimately it is the portrait of one man’s voyage that follows celebrated still photographer Edward Burtynsky on a tour of Asia. He takes large-format stills of industrial landscapes: factory workers lined up to infinity, giant ships eviscerated, massive recycling dumps, expansive strip mines. His goal is to portray humanity’s relationship to nature as we pur­sue progress. His images are striking and picturesque, leaving viewers on their own to comprehend the negative global ramifications.

Director Jennifer Baichwal makes insightful choices. The film perfectly balances the images, the vision and philosophy. And when Burtynsky speaks, he neither celebrates nor condemns but simply explores who we are in relation to our planet. We extract things from the environment to survive, and that is damaging the world.

Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize Sundance Film Festival, and Independent Spirit Awards. Winner of the RiverRun Film Festival, Best Documentary.

 France by Bike and Barge

Sunday, November 15, 3 pm

with artist and author

Ken Christensen

“Whenever I visit France I try to do something or go somewhere different in the country.

I once lived in France for eight years, yet large areas of the country remain relatively unknown to me. I spent five weeks in France this sum­mer and I could have easily filled my time by making the rounds of friends and re-telling the same stories over and over again. Instead,

I spent part of my time visiting friends and part of my time having unique new adventures. When in Europe, I find everything interesting and not just the famous sights. The best way to savor every house, garden, and village is on foot but something just as languid, and a way that will carry you further, is travel by

bicycle.”

And so the journey begins. Join us for a

delightful afternoon of stories and explorations by bike and barge. Travel with Ken through the Loire Valley, the “Valley of the Kings” and home to countless romantic chateaus. Slowly mosey down the Canal du Midi on a barge through the dreamy French countryside.

Ken will bring a slide presentation and offer lots of charming anecdotes, information and ideas that will inspire you to take a trip of your own.

 San Luis Obispo Art Center recognizes that FILMMAKING is a visual art form and is delighted to bring you a series of outstanding documentary movies inspired by our current exhibitions. Each film has been carefully selected to enhance your experience of the Art Center’s exhibits and to deepen your understanding of the work on display.

The current exhibit Henrick Kam: INDUSTRIAL LANDSAPES featuring the traditional aesthetics of classic black & white landscape photography on piles of crushed concrete and demolished earthquake damaged freeways and industrial buildings. On exhibit October 21– November 22, daily 11–5, closed Tuesdays.

Mike Baird  mike [at} mikebaird d o t com  flickr.bairdphotos.com   photomorrobay.com   iPhone (805) 704-2064 (primary #, text, voicemail); alt home (805) 772-2044

-----Original Message-----
From: Karen Kile [mailto:kkile@...]
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 12:39 PM
To: Office
Subject: WOW! France on Sunday, Movie on Monday

You are invited!

Sunday 3 pm

Monday 7 pm

San Luis Obispo Art Center

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 9.0.704 / Virus Database: 270.14.58/2493 - Release Date: 11/09/09 11:40:00

Wayne, Thanks for this cool idea http://help-portrait.com/#/about - I'm cc:ing our 280 local photogs who may want to use this holiday season idea for giving to the community by taking people's pictures and giving them a print.

Greg Smith, Thanks, what a great photo opportunity: The 2009 Leonid Meteor Shower. This year's Leonid meteor shower peaks on Tuesday, Nov. 17th.

I took the liberty to cc: the photo group who is especially interested in night/star photography now that Howard Ignatius is driving that interest.

Mike Baird  mike [at} mikebaird d o t com  flickr.bairdphotos.com   photomorrobay.com   iPhone (805) 704-2064 (primary #, text, voicemail); alt home (805) 772-2044

Photo opportunity… Jerry Kirkhart and Mike Baird co-lead a nature walk Thursday Nov 12, 2009, 9:00 am Coon Creek Hike, Montana de Oro

More info on these nature walks http://ccnha.org/naturewalks.html

Coon Creek Hike:  On this vigorous hike, enjoy great exercise, spectacular creek and canyon views. Explore the riparian landscape along Coon Creek and see a variety of wild flowers, berries, shrubs, and trees. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water and snack. Meet in Montana de Oro State Park at the end of Pecho Road in the Coon Creek parking lot. (H) (S)4.7  mi., 2.5 hr.

Mike Baird  mike [at} mikebaird d o t com  bairdphotos.com  flickr.bairdphotos.com morro-bay.com  photomorrobay.com   iPhone (805) 704-2064 (primary #, text, and voicemail); alt (805) 772-2044.