Geolocation from Visual Clues
Pinpoint locations from photos and videos using landmarks, shadows, and environmental features.
Geolocation is the art of determining where a photo or video was taken using visual clues. This advanced OSINT skill combines observation, research, and technical analysis to pinpoint exact locations.
This tutorial covers techniques for identifying landmarks, analyzing shadows and sun angles, examining architectural styles, reading signs and license plates, and using environmental features to triangulate locations.
Mastering geolocation enables you to verify claims, investigate incidents, and uncover hidden locations from minimal visual information.
SunCalc
Calculate sun position and shadow angles for any time and location
Find in directory →- 1
Identify obvious landmarks (buildings, monuments, signs, unique features)
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Note architectural styles, building materials, and urban planning patterns
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Read any visible text (signs, advertisements, license plates) for language/region clues
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Analyze vegetation and terrain to narrow down climate zones
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Use shadow analysis and sun angle calculators to estimate time and location
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Look for utility infrastructure (power lines, poles) with regional characteristics
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Search for matching imagery on Google Earth and Street View
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Cross-reference multiple clues to triangulate exact coordinates
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Verify your hypothesis by checking alternate angles and perspectives
Start broad (country/region) then narrow down to specific locations
Pay attention to road markings, signage styles, and traffic signs
Different countries have distinct architecture, power line designs, and road styles
Seasonal clues (snow, foliage) can help determine when an image was taken
License plates and vehicle types can narrow down regions significantly
Use satellite imagery at different dates to account for construction changes
Shadows point north in southern hemisphere, south in northern hemisphere
Telephone poles and bollards have country-specific designs
Join GeoGuessr communities to practice geolocation skills regularly
Share your own tips or learn from the community's experience
Share Your Tip
I've found that combining multiple reverse image search engines in parallel significantly improves results. Don't rely on just one!
Always document your methodology step-by-step. This helps with reproducibility and explaining your findings to others.