Every shadow points somewhere.

Azimuth works out where a photo or video was taken from what is in the frame. No GPS tag needed.

Sample: locating a photo from its shadow

Search area510,072,000km²

The framemeasuring
59° h 0.6 h points to 352° signskyline

johndoe_0412.jpgsample

The sunnot placed yet
3060120150 210240300330 NESW

14 Jun · 12:10 UTCsample

The Earththe whole planet
48–58° N pin · in the app

where that sun was possible

  1. Shadow length
  2. Shadow bearing
  3. Sign text in the app
  4. Skyline in the app

Reading the frame.

Download for Windows

Five clues. Each one shrinks the map.

ClueArea left

  1. Shadowsthe sun’s height and bearing1,840,000 km²
  2. Writingthe alphabet and language on signs420,000 km²
  3. Roadsdriving side, markings, plates96,000 km²
  4. Street furniturepoles, bollards, sockets3,100 km²
  5. Skylineridgelines matched to terrain dataone field
1 2 3 4 5
Figures from the sample frame above.

Video is a shadow that moves.

Two frames a few minutes apart are enough. The shadow has turned, and the turn gives the time of day, even when the file has none.

  1. 0 min
  2. 12 min
  3. 24 min
  4. 36 min
  5. 48 min · turned 12°

Before you download Azimuth

Does the file need a GPS tag?

No. Azimuth reads the picture itself, so it works on images that were stripped, re-saved or screenshotted.

How close does it get?

As close as the clues allow. It always shows the area that is left, and says so when a frame gives it nothing to go on.

What does it use?

The frame you give it and public reference data: sun tables, terrain, maps. Your files stay on your PC.

Is this allowed?

Checking where a published image was taken is routine work for newsrooms and researchers. Do not use it to find where a private person lives or to harass anyone.

Find the spot.

Windows 10 and 11 · Photos and video · No account

Download for Windows