Last Saturday (22nd) during the @KarenVChin 's virtual meetup Local Guides in Crowdsource 3 I have learnt lot of things which we have to consider while we are taking photos for Google Crowdsouce and Google maps. Both @KarenVChin and @ErmesT explained best practices while taking photos. I thought share some of them with my experience with everyone here.
When we take photos for Google maps we have to to spend some time to capture the best frame. Balance the subject of the image is important. The first photo shows the nice view from a guest house balcony. I took couple of photos and and decided to upload this one to Google maps. Second picture shows that the inside bedroom arrangements of the same place. I took this image with wide angle view to capture the full view inside the room. Before taking photos I put all lights on and make sure that everything in place inside the room. This little extra preparation enabled me to capture the best view of the room. Third one is shows table arrangements of a beach restaurant. I think the lighting and the framing of the image is fair enough to upload to maps. Forth one took just before my hamburger lunch at a burger shop. I took many photos to just select best one for Google maps. I used flash on my mobile as the inside of the shop is bit dark. Last picture showing that a guest house keeper offering welcome drink to me. I asked him to hold the tray until I take this picture. This kind of extra preparation would help us to take good photos over usual boring photos.
Also when I see a important notice or information that would help the visitors before they come to a place I try to capture them to add to maps. Every time I try to properly focus the subject. First two photos of the above collage shows some important healthcare safety notices displayed at a guest house for their visitors during COVID-19. Third and fifth images shows that menus and contact numbers displayed in front of two cafes. Last image is a notice in local language that says the fast food restaurant is closed on Mondays. This information would help for anyone who is searching this place online. So I shared this one on map.
I believe that we must always share proper and quality content to the Map and to the Crowdsouce. You are free to add your valuable thoughts, ideas, photos and best practices during photo taking for google Crowdsource and to maps. Also I must thanks @KarenVChin and @ErmesT for inspiring us to contribute wisely and responsibly as Local Guides
I find this post very useful and I thank you for sharing it!
I just wanted to let you know that I will relabel it to How-tos. It’s a board, used by Local Guides to express their doubts and ask questions. More information on Connect’s labels is available in this article.
@Bobiisha Thank you for your appreciation and for the notice. I thought that this would go to photography category since it is all about photo taking. If this should go to the How-tos please feel free to change the category.
I understand your logic. However, since the post is for the best practices when it comes to uploading photos on Google Maps, I believe in how-tos it would be more helpful for others from the community and will get the deserved attention.
I love your Connect post @kasunaaa! This is wonderful that you explained in detail your thought process of how you set-up your shots before taking the shot.
From your perspective, you have made your objects interesting and inviting for the viewer, as in aspirational.
Here is what I do to get a restaurant / bar worker into my photos. So far, I have never had a wait staff reject my request. I think it makes an interesting photo for a business to upload to Google Maps.
Great post @kasunaaa , we are both happy that you attended the meet-up, and this post is an amazing feedback. Post like this are inspiring me and @KarenVChin to continue with our series.
Glad to be of help @ErmesT I actually got a good reminder on the meet-up I did with @Globe_trotter_Ish on the weekend when I shared my top viewed photos and while none of them are awful, certainly a couple could have been a little better from my perspective. I look at one and think not straight!
