Photo Monitoring

Photo Monitoring is a simple procedure documenting the properties of a site. Following standardized procedures, two photographs separated by a period of time allow an observer to make some informed inferences regarding the changes in the properties defined in the objective for selecting the site and prescribing the method.

Photographs may be either landscape scale, or photographs of ground cover associated with transect lines.

Keys to reliable and repeatable photo monitoring:

1. Take the photo from the same point, in the same direction, each time the photo is repeated. It is often useful to take a copy of the photo to be repeated to the field with you to compare the archive photo with the view in your viewfinder

2. Use a date back camera, which documents the date the photo is taken on the face of the photo. Avoid using different focal lengths, etc in repeating a photo

3. Try to take the photos on or about the same time of year.

4. Document and save with the photograph the objective for initiating a set of photographs and whatever information would be important in making inferences regarding trend. Placing a clipboard with appropriate information in the photo can be invaluable in keeping photographic records.

Take your picture from a spot you can relocate, take it toward a landmark, and document!

 

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Last Updated May 26, 1998 by Eric Peterson