When a search in The Photographer’s Ephemeris Web doesn’t return the location you expected, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the location isn’t included in the map data TPE Web uses. Search results depend on the place names, addresses, and other geographic information available in the data. In many cases, adjusting your search terms – or entering the location’s coordinates directly – will get you where you need to go.
Try refining your search
Here are some suggestions for refining your search:
- Start searching as generally as possible, adding detail as you go
- Try a variation on the place name (e.g., Macey Lake instead of Macey Lakes or Upper/Lower Macey Lake)
- Use a complete, rather than partial, address listing (e.g., 221B Baker Street vs 221B Baker St, London NW1 6XE, UK)
- Try searching for a nearby place name (e.g., Tyndall Glacier or Dream Lake instead of Tyndall Gorge)
- Use keywords to generate different suggestions (e.g., Tyndall Colorado instead of Tyndall Gorge)
- Check your spelling & the name (e.g. Doughnut Lake vs Donut Lake, Solitude Lake vs Lake Solitude)
Why search results can vary
The following notes provide context for how the search feature functions to help guide your searches:
- The results you will see will depend on the region and language your device is set to. By default, the search algorithm prioritises matching places close to the user.
- The search results may change over time, because the search results rely on OpenStreetMap data, an open-source map.
- Autocomplete suggestions may differ from the results you see when you click Search. This is because autocomplete tries to make best-guess matches to what you’re typing. The search button finds specific matches only.
- Finally, search results vary by platform.
If you know the coordinates
If you still can’t find the location by name, enter its latitude and longitude directly. Note that TPE Web supports GPS coordinates only in Decimal Degrees (DD), not Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS).
Searching by coordinates is particularly useful for unofficial or colloquial place names, remote landscape features, or locations that aren’t identified in the underlying map data. Once you’ve found the position, you can save it as a Location in your Library and give it whatever name you prefer.
