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D3 Learn from typical photo mistakes made by Local Guides
D3 Learn from typical photo mistakes made by Local Guides
I have found 20 different kinds of photo mistakes that local guides often make. All of them are relatively easy to fix. I like to call them issues rather than mistakes.
The issues are grouped into these 3 categories:
- 5 blunders that are easy for everyone to spot (green).
- 7 photo-technical issues (blue).
- 8 harder to spot Google Maps specific issues (yellow).
You can review some of your latest photos for these issues. It is a great exercise, but also a difficult exercise. If you already knew and were aware of all the issues you would not be making them! So spotting your own mistakes is honestly not an easy task. Therefore you could team up with another local guide and have him or her review your photos for these issues. You can find some tools that make it easier here.
Get acquainted with the issues that seem new to you by selecting them below. You can also browse them all using the "Suggested next page"-buttons.
5 blunders that are easy to spot.
Selfies, photos of children, group photos, and photos with recognizable faces should not be uploaded to Google Maps.
Photos in portrait orientation and square photos should not be uploaded to Google Maps.
Please check if your pics are upside-down or rotated 90-degrees to the left or right.
Prevent Google Maps auto-cropping from ruining your shots by always having plenty of cropping space in your shots.
Keep storefronts and buildings centered to avoid having them cut by auto-cropping.
7 photography related issues .
Only super-sharp shots should be added to Google Maps.
Dark photos are unfit to attract Maps users' attention.
Always aim to have the sun behind you.
Shots lacking contrast will not attract the attention of Maps users.
Avoid uploading pics with little or bland looking colors.
Always check if the horizon is level before you take a shot.
Try keeping the horizontal and the vertical lines straight in your photos.
8 harder to spot Maps specific issues.
Avoid uploading duplicates and near-duplicates.
Uploading the same photo to more than one place is never OK.
Don't upload screenshots, pics of pics, stock photos, or pics saved from the internet.
Avoid distractions in your shots and don't zoom in on irrelevant details.
Traffic signs, trees, and shadows can block the view of business names on storefronts.
Check if you can see yourself and if light reflections cover up important details.
Some places on Google Maps do not accept photos. Learn which they are.
Don't waste your efforts taking great photos of places that are not welcome on Google Maps.
Hitting "Suggested next page" will take you to Faces. You can also skip ahead to Review tools or Recap and the Final exam.
The rational behind the 20 issues are relate to the main objectives mentioned on the Better Pics Home as shown below.
As you can see not all 20 issues are bases on the official guidelines. For instance is the recommendation to not upload portrait and square photos is only relevant if you hope to have your photos featured or become cover photos.
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