Method and apparatus for visualization of geo-located media contents in 3D rendering applications

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,
• determine each of a plurality of first pixels of an image that geometrically corresponds to a second pixel of a rendered three-dimensional map, wherein the three-dimensional map is a three-dimensional geographic map;
• process the each first pixel and the second pixel to determine a confidence value that increases as a transparency level for the rendering of the each first pixel onto the three-dimensional map decreases, wherein the confidence value indicates an estimated level of geometric distortion of the each first pixel as projected onto the three-dimensional map resulting from a difference between an image capturing perspective of the image with respect to the each first pixel and a virtual viewing perspective of the three-dimensional map;
• initiate a rendering of the first pixels onto the three-dimensional map from the virtual viewing perspective based on the confidence value;
• determine at least one user interaction with the three-dimensional map;
• and
• initiate an updating of the confidence value, the rendering of the first pixels onto the three-dimensional map, or a combination thereof in real time or substantially in real time based on the at least one user interaction,
• wherein the confidence value of a respective first pixel decreases as the virtual viewing perspective moves further away from the image capturing perspective.