Thread: Google Earth

I may be late in discovering this but Google Earth and especially its Street View function are wonderful research tools to allow the writing of detailed descriptions of local geography, specific properties, etc. as it allows both satellite and a view just like you are looking out the window of your car. Pick any location within reason and let the descriptions of houses, parks, etc. flow. Excellent.

It's one of the best tools in a writer's arsenal, no doubt. As it continues to grow, it'll get to a point where almost every location in the world will have a street view.

But it's still not the same as being there.

I've read a lot about London, seen hundreds of pictures of London, looked at both historical and contemporary street maps of London, and now have looked closely at the streets of London with Google Earth, but never would I try to write a scene set in London. I've never been there, never breathed the air, never heard the sounds unique to that city, never heard the casual talk of people in the streets or the pubs.

The value I find in Google Earth is as a reference for places I have been. If I've forgotten the name of a street, or some other detail, Google Earth quickly serves to remind me. I cruise at low altitude above a street where I walked 40 years ago and suddenly I'm there. I can smell it, feel it, hear it. And I can see the changes the years have brought.

But it's still not the same as being there.

I've read a lot about London, seen hundreds of pictures of London, looked at both historical and contemporary street maps of London, and now have looked closely at the streets of London with Google Earth, but never would I try to write a scene set in London. I've never been there, never breathed the air, never heard the sounds unique to that city, never heard the casual talk of people in the streets or the pubs.

It's not just that either. I only started looking at street view in the last month and noticed the pictures of my local area and other areas I know are about three years old. The aesthetics are different. Certain buildings have been changed, knocked down and even newly built since the pictures. The graffiti is different. The way people dress is different.