Hi with a little discussion ....

Hi , I'm little new around here, so to get into the business I decided to write something that can be useful and teach something new and on the other hand could get us to know each other a little.
What I want to talk about is on a little tech call Geo tagging that not everyone familiar with, but for us, can be really helpful and fun.(and especially for people who use GPS device)
Geo tagging is the ability to take an item and mark relate it somewhere on the map.
Its main use today is taking pictures and place them on the google map of where they was shoot.
Like when I look for USA, Orleans, Louisiana in google maps on the left side I can get Geo tagged pictures that show me photos from this place.
the first How to use Geotagging that I can show you is with flicker this movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYxpw7XR4V0
the next favorite tool that I'm using mainly because it's free and have option to upload a full route using GPS, *.gpx files is Trekinu.com
here is how Part 1 look for part 2 in the end of the movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOPisX2xGKg
Demo for a finished presentation of mine from Australia that took me 3-4 min to make (WITH OUT GPS, I TAGGED MANUALY): http://www.trekinu.com/viewtrek.aspx?trkid=d41dra3duemrf97

How I use geotagging? well with this technology we can make treks with 4X4, taking photos all the trek come home download gpx file from the GPS upload the photos and make a presentation with our trek and photos to share with friends, site, and more in only few seconds!.
This is the ultimate way to share route not just on the map but also in photos.
I just hope to see one day this capabilities with videos...
So what are you waiting for start geotagging

The "problem" I have with using such technology is that it seems counter-intuitive to the process of making unique, creative images. To be blunt, why would I want to give away the precise locations of my photos? Many of us go to great lengths to discover and find such places. While I am more than willing to be generous when working one on one with somebody, I see no gains to be made by making such information public - for everyone to access. I always list the general location information in my image titles, and feel that there's no reason why it should go beyond that. Ultimately, I see such information as encouragement for some photographers to act as human copy-machines, rather than artists - just my $0.02.

I would have to agree with Joel. I used to give away the exact locations however recently I have has to reassess this approach. There is a mountain I often shoot from its most photogenic and famous vantage point. A couple years ago I photographed it from a lesser known lake, not exactly a secret location but the views created all sorts of compositional problems and pretty much no-one ever shot there. However I worked out a comp that worked very well and now there's a heap of shots out there on the web using the same technique. The exposure is still very challenging and I have yet to see anyone pull it off anywhere as well but I think it does detract from the originality of my work.

I agree too! A magician never gives away his secrets. I know many of us come here to observe and learn from critiqueing each other. And that is what forums are for. But, It is hard enough to create unique work that one hopes to sell in the face of all the digital competition. So I will keep exact locations to myself thank you! There are some locations I won't even take a camera because they are so over photographed.

You're right basically, but, how will you choose from all the places where to go? (example, with this album you can understand what guide or place to look for but with NO specific place: http://www.trekinu.com/viewtrek.aspx?trkid=a86t190gdrslbre ) and as a friend of mine said "I view photography as part art, part adventure " it's ok to find things for your self but albums like I mentioned without the exact point can give us potential places and the encouragement to look for them and make pictures...