Geoint Challenge (Part 6) How to find a place from a video using Google Lens and Street View

Finding an exact location from a video, even without specific clues, is possible if you apply the right approach. We will tell you how to find any place from a video or photo using Google Lens and Google Maps. Thanks to step-by-step analysis, recognition of details and the right approach, you can determine the exact location even without explicit clues. This method will be useful for tourists, researchers and anyone who wants to solve the mystery of an unknown location.

Description

1. We find that the starting point is a video with an unknown location. First, we conduct a visual analysis, paying attention to key details. We detect a building resembling a hotel-restaurant, which is located on the left of the frame (Figure 6.1). We also notice that the area looks like a suburb or a small village with dense greenery, a noticeable slope and no direct access to the sea (Figure 6.2).

2. Then we turn to Google Lens, loading an image of the building for analysis. The results obtained contain many similar structures, most of which are located in Montenegro, which gives reason to assume a probable location. Next, we try to load a more detailed photo (Fig. 6.3), but the results obtained remain unchanged, indicating the need to narrow the search area.

3. The Google Lens algorithm returned a large number of ads with buildings similar to the one in the video, as well as the cities they were located in. After extensive analysis, we managed to come across the settlement of Radovići (Figure 6.3), which was a key clue for further narrowing down the search.

4. Google Maps has drawn attention to a road (Fig. 6.4) that runs through this settlement and continues through the mountains. It has characteristic features that coincide with those seen in the video, so we assume that this is the route. To confirm our guess, we decide to check this section directly within the settlement.

5. In Google Street View, we go to the specified location (Figure 6.5) and start moving down the road. In just 20 seconds of viewing street images, we find the desired location (Figure 6.5).

A designated place on the map

• Coordinates: 42.392946, 18.671988

• Location: Novo naselje Radovići, Montenegro

• Link to the map: Google Maps 🌍

Conclusion

Video geolocation is a reliable method of determining the location of a shot, based on the analysis of visual details and the use of digital mapping services. In this case, we managed to accurately identify a location in Montenegro, focusing on characteristic landmarks: a building similar to a hotel-restaurant, a road among green hills and the general landscape of the area.

Thanks to step-by-step analysis, the use of Google Lens, and the comparison of maps and Google Street View panoramas, we determined the exact coordinates of the place from which the video was shot. This once again confirms that attention to detail and the competent use of technology allows us to find any location with high accuracy.