RePhoto | virtual repeat photo tool
Virtual repeat photography is the process of locating a historical photograph in 3D using available landscape data. It can be a vital step in preparing to shoot a successful repeat photograph. RePhoto is a standalone software tool that allows you to virtually locate a historical photograph using pre-loaded geospatial map data.
The map data is based on ÍslandsDEM/Landmælingar Íslands/Copernicus Sentinel-2, which can be reused for free with attribution. The results of the geolocation can be saved as a text file so that this infromation can be used in GIS software or inputed into a handheld GPS.
The software is built in Unreal Engine and is open source, meaning it can be used, adapted and redistributed free of charge.
Download RePhoto software
Windows only - 2GB - BETA V1.8
See READ ME PDF for instructions
Download RePhoto source code
Unreal Engine 5.3.2 project - 2GB
Dowload Unreal Engine from Epic Games
Top-left: Grímsfjall, 1958, Sigurður Þórarinsson; Bottom-left: RePhoto geolocation alignment; Right: Repeat photo, 2024, Kieran Baxter
Existing software environments for virtual repeat photography can be time consuming to use and require specialist knowledge. We would like to change that.
RePhoto is currently under development and a Beta version is now available for download, use and testing (see links above). The current version has a limited geographic area (Skaftafellsjökull, Öræfajökull and Breiðamerkurjökull) and some features are not yet complete. We welcome your feedback and questions. Feel free to contact us.
The RePhoto software interface allows geolocation of historical photographs by aligning features with a pre-loaded virtual model.
RePhoto is a project of the Iceland Glaciological Society (Jöklarannsóknafélag Íslands).
The project is made possible with collaboration from the Icelandic Institute for Natural History (Náttúrufræðistofnun), University of Iceland's Research Centre in Hornafjörður (Rannsóknasetur Háskóla Íslands á Hornafirði), Icelandic Meteorological Office (Veðurstofa Íslands) and Vatnajökull National Park (Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður).
RePhoto is sponsored by Reykjavik Energy’s Research Fund (Vísindasjóður Orkuveitunnar).
