How to Properly become Google Street View Trusted Photographer?

[SamuelEdyson]

Hi all,

I am still quite new in this. All researches led to unclear procedure on how to really become a SV Trusted Photographer.

I have been doing 360 photography for my city, all using the old model Ricoh Theta m15, which as you guys have guessed, lack of quality.

I have been meaning to get a new camera, but I am limited in terms of budget. Have been entering competitions (such as the Ricoh Theta competitions, etc) with shots from my m15, only to find those didn't win (well hopefully not because of the quality).

I was aiming for Ricoh Theta S but that was abit way over budget. It may be marketed at $350 (according to Google, https://www.google.com/streetview/publish/), but in my country it's easily $500 (after imports, middle suppliers, etc).

Then I was browsing and found LG 360 Camera, which is within my budget, around $200 (again according to Google, https://www.google.com/streetview/publish/). Found sellers within my country selling at $250.

But then I saw this - https://www.google.com/streetview/earn/

It says all 360 photos must meet the 14MP quality guidelines, which comes out at around 5300 x 2650 pixel. LG Camera is only 13MP (as seen in http://www.lg.com/us/lg-friends/lg-LGR105.AVRZTS-360-cam). 😞

So, really. Anyone can tell me what to expect in becoming SV Trusted Photographer if I only going to be shooting at 13MP? Of course all my uploads will be blown to 14MP quality, but still there's at least some quality loss.

Hope to hear advice from some of already-trusted-photographer here. Thank you in advance! Cheers...

Sincerely,

Samuel

[Nick-Hobgood]

Try this post for using a DSLR for high quality photo spheres like the one below  - on Google Maps here

Lagoon side of Abaiang

[DamirA]

Hi Samuel,

I personally use a DSLR camera with a fisheye lens and I'm more than satisfied. Panoramas are fantastic but they do require a little more time for photo processing. The price of the complete equipment is slightly higher but not too high. Though the quality has no alternative. And it's 14MP. None of my 360 photos have bin rejected so far. I recommend DSLR.

[DivineMsM]

I just found your post.  Did you find that the LG 360 met your needs? I have been using it and it seems fine but I haven't yet applied for Google Trusted Photographer yet.  I need a few more photos.  But I didn't want to go out and get them if the LG 360 didn't meet the standards.

[DamirA · Accepted solution]

Hi DivineMsM,

Google recommends, among the other cameras and devices, LG 360 CAM. These are the links to the official Google Street View guides:

https://www.google.com/intl/bs/streetview/publish/

http://www.lg.com/us/mobile-accessories/lg-LGR105.AVRZTS-360-cam

So, definitely, LG meets the standards.

Regards

[PaulPavlinovich]

Hi there are a couple of answers to your question. To become a SVT you need to upload 50 photoshere via the StreetView App that all get approved. Then a switch will become available in the App allowing you to apply to be Trusted. The other part is the camera. I use the Theta S which is more than good enough for images for Street View. I got my Theta S second hand for about $200. Search on the auction sites you will likely find one. A new model is being released soon (or just has been) so the old ones should become plentiful. Regards Paul

[Monte]

@Nick-HobgoodHow you did this?

[Monte]

@DamirAcan you show us some of yours

[DamirA]

@Monte These are some of mine.

[Monte]

@DamirAExcellent work, have you heard about this community -   https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/103777825725574148354