GPS Tags

The combination of Canon PowerShot SX740 HS and the Canon Camera Connect (CCC) app should, in theory, be a match made in heaven. Firstly, you don’t need special hardware in the camera to handle GPS logging, and secondly your phone can be used as a remote control and GPS location source for the camera. The problem is that the instructions aren’t really as clear as they might be, and there is a temptation to race ahead with various settings that seem sensible, but actually confuse matters. For the sake of his sanity the Gorse Fox has decided to document the settings and setup that seems to work.

1. Download the CCC app to your phone, set up WiFi and Bluetooth connections between the camera and phone. The Gorse Fox also connected the camera via the home WiFi access point (in addition to the built-in WiFi in the camera).
2. Check that you can control the camera over Bluetooth.
3. On the camera menu ensure GPS Settings via mobile are Enabled; in the CCC app ensure Location Information is active. Do not bother switching on Location logging.
4. Switch the camera on and press the “Info” key twice, it should show at the bottom that Bluetooth is on, and to the right that GPS locations are enabled. Take a test picture. Return to the CCC app and select “Images on Camera”, then when the images are shown on the screen press the “Option Gear” in the top right and ensure that the photos are set with GPS location enabled on transfer. That’s it… you only have to do it the once.

Having got all of that sorted, the Gorse Fox decided to get some exercise and headed out into the sunshine for a walk. His idea was to randomly take a single photo and check that the GPS tag was correctly assigned without any intervention from him. There was brisk, cool wind which kept things from getting too warm. He headed out towards Aldwick, then back towards Bognor Regis and the local football ground. Finally, he looped back along the main road towards home. It was a pleasant 4 miles and it got the blood pumping.

This is the random photo he took. It probably gives a strong clue as to why "The Royal Oak" is known locally as "the Pink Pub".