LinkedIn OSINT Challenge

Step 1: Save the Original Image

Save original image.

Step 2: Note Any Artifacts

Note any artifacts in the image that could help identify the location.

Step 3: Reverse Image Search

Reverse search with the search engine of your choice. I used Google.

Other options:

• Yandex Images
• Google Lens
• TinEye
• Bing Visual Search

Step 4: Cropping and Refining

I altered the image portion size attempting to highlight the stairs or a combination of the lights and the distinct white railings. Cropping certain areas produces different results.

Step 5: Identifying Key Artifacts

Focusing on original or unique artifacts may help quicken the verification process in your search instead of the big picture.

These caught my eye:

1. The stairs separating the dock/pier area
2. White railings
3. Unique lighting

I tested out the "white railing and pier dock" observances within a search:

Step 6: Scrolling Through Results

To my surprise I was overwhelmed with white railings near piers/docks or various combinations! Let's speed scroll, not too fast, though! I mentally noted the appearance of both stairs and railings in hopes of discovery.

DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE?

Let's take a closer look!

Step 7: Verifying the Location

The photo's description notes its location is: Cromer North Sea Norfolk East Anglia England UK. I input the location into Google Maps to further compare the night photograph and maps views.

Nope, the railings are facing the water and not the road like in the original. Not quite it, let's investigate further...

Step 8: Stock Photo Sites to the Rescue

I found www.alamy.com and istockphoto.com very useful!

I led the search with "pier with white railings".

I FOUND THE SHAPE! Now, the photo is in black and white -- I wanted to see if the railings were actually white -- seems so, let's continue!

Step 9: Blackpool Pier Confirmed

I took the location listed: BLACKPOOL PIER and put it through Google Maps.

There are THREE piers in Blackpool!