CONSTRUCTION PHOTO-DOCUMENTATION 2012
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| CONSTRUCTION PHOTO-DOCUMENTATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2012 |
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Job site photography tips
| Taking photographs on a job site has a few challenges. Most of the difficulties are on interior photography, other than bad weather and night photos the problems are not the same on exterior work. |
Taking photographs on a jobsite has a few challenges. Most of the difficulties are on interior photography, other than bad weather and night photos the
problems are not the same on exterior work.
The first and most important tip I can give you is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! The more you use your camera the better you'll become at
getting good photographs, no matter what type of camera you use. CPD's slogan may say "not just another pretty picture" but you must take usable, clear
pictures. I recommend that shortly after taking pictures around the job site you take some time to view them on the computer. By doing this you'll find
your mistakes and learn from them quickly. The camera's view screen does not allow you to adequately view the photo for content, clarity, etc.
Prior to photographing your site you'll want to think about what you need to capture. Take a few minutes to walk through the site when you arrive to
get a good idea of the progress that was made in the last week. Talk to the superintendent and foreman on site, you'll want to know about the work that
has been accomplished and what work is planned for the next week. This is very important, you need to capture everything you can before it is covered
up.
ALWAYS have a set of floor plans with you showing the column lines, shafts, and compass directions. Use existing floor plans (if on a remodel
project) and a set of floor plans showing finished layout with room numbers, etc. These are the reference points that you’ll use in your notes, they are
fixed points that will be used after the initial project is complete.
problems are not the same on exterior work.
The first and most important tip I can give you is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! The more you use your camera the better you'll become at
getting good photographs, no matter what type of camera you use. CPD's slogan may say "not just another pretty picture" but you must take usable, clear
pictures. I recommend that shortly after taking pictures around the job site you take some time to view them on the computer. By doing this you'll find
your mistakes and learn from them quickly. The camera's view screen does not allow you to adequately view the photo for content, clarity, etc.
Prior to photographing your site you'll want to think about what you need to capture. Take a few minutes to walk through the site when you arrive to
get a good idea of the progress that was made in the last week. Talk to the superintendent and foreman on site, you'll want to know about the work that
has been accomplished and what work is planned for the next week. This is very important, you need to capture everything you can before it is covered
up.
ALWAYS have a set of floor plans with you showing the column lines, shafts, and compass directions. Use existing floor plans (if on a remodel
project) and a set of floor plans showing finished layout with room numbers, etc. These are the reference points that you’ll use in your notes, they are
fixed points that will be used after the initial project is complete.
The following examples will take you through the different jobsite conditions and describe how to trick the digital camera into giving you the
best possible photograph. Keep in mind that each camera type has different capabilities and will not always react the same way as another
type of camera. Since the best camera for are based on this type of camera.
best possible photograph. Keep in mind that each camera type has different capabilities and will not always react the same way as another
type of camera. Since the best camera for are based on this type of camera.
To flash or not to flash:
It seems simple enough, if the camera says the flash needs to be on then it should be on. It's not that simple. The flash can sometimes create as many
problems as it solves. Digital cameras seem to give brighter highlights and darker shadows when using the flash. Metal and other shiny surfaces will
reflect the flash back and wash out the other details in the photo. Close-up photos are also white-washed by the flash.
The following examples show how the flash reacts to the different surfaces. When I'm not sure if the flash photograph will come out better or worse
than not using it I will take the same photo with and without the flash. When I view them later I'll choose the best one for the photo-document record.
problems as it solves. Digital cameras seem to give brighter highlights and darker shadows when using the flash. Metal and other shiny surfaces will
reflect the flash back and wash out the other details in the photo. Close-up photos are also white-washed by the flash.
The following examples show how the flash reacts to the different surfaces. When I'm not sure if the flash photograph will come out better or worse
than not using it I will take the same photo with and without the flash. When I view them later I'll choose the best one for the photo-document record.
These photographs shows the affects of flash with shiny surfaces. The light
reflects directly back to the camera which leaves the surrounding areas darker.
There are many situations like this, especially in commercial construction.
The best way to correct this is with the job site work lights but you have to be
careful that they don't cause the same light reflections. Point them up or down, or
away from the area but not directly at the area that you want to photograph.
If lighting changes is not an option then set the camera on a tripod or flat surface
and take a longer exposure without the flash. I like to set the camera and use the
self-timer. This way you can click the shutter and let go of the camera. Even your
heartbeat through your hands can cause the camera to shake which will create a
fuzzy photograph on longer exposures.
reflects directly back to the camera which leaves the surrounding areas darker.
There are many situations like this, especially in commercial construction.
The best way to correct this is with the job site work lights but you have to be
careful that they don't cause the same light reflections. Point them up or down, or
away from the area but not directly at the area that you want to photograph.
If lighting changes is not an option then set the camera on a tripod or flat surface
and take a longer exposure without the flash. I like to set the camera and use the
self-timer. This way you can click the shutter and let go of the camera. Even your
heartbeat through your hands can cause the camera to shake which will create a
fuzzy photograph on longer exposures.
Techniques for taking clear photographs in the jobsite environment with auto focus camera settings:
The 'auto focus' wants to focus on the foreground or background and not on what I need:
Close-up photos don't seem to be focused:
The 'auto focus' wants to focus on the foreground or background and not on what I need:
- 1. Try to adjust the lighting (using project lighting) to brighten the area you want to capture.
2. Make several attempts at focusing by holding the shutter button down half way, release it and try again until it captures the area that you want.
3. Move to another angle. Sometimes moving just a little is enough.
- 1. Cover some or all of the object by placing your hand directly in front of the lens. You usually cannot cover more than 50 percent or the camera
will not focus but with some cameras it will. Hold the shutter button down half way to focus on the area you want then remove your hand just
before taking the picture.
Close-up photos don't seem to be focused:
- 1. On close-up photos it is more important that there is adequate lighting, poor lighting is a common cause of not being able to focus close-up.
2. If you can place the camera close to the subject use the 'close-up' setting. This is usually shown as a flower on your camera's selector button.
3. If you are farther away use the zoom feature and the normal setting.
