What to Photograph
CONSTRUCTION PHOTO-DOCUMENTATION 2012
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| CONSTRUCTION PHOTO-DOCUMENTATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2012 |
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| What to photograph is best understood if broken down into catagories. |
The plan is to get the right photographs at the right time and enough of them without getting too many. You won't get every single photograph that
you'll ever need and there is a danger that some will try. Learning how to get the right combination of photographs will help you adequately record any
project. Taking too many photos will simply make the photo-document very large and unmanageable making it more difficult to find and use a
particular photograph when you need to.
These are the categories that I use when planning to photo-document:
you'll ever need and there is a danger that some will try. Learning how to get the right combination of photographs will help you adequately record any
project. Taking too many photos will simply make the photo-document very large and unmanageable making it more difficult to find and use a
particular photograph when you need to.
These are the categories that I use when planning to photo-document:
Pre-Construction:
Pre-construction and pre-demolition photographs are specifically intended to capture the entire project area and surrounding properties or capture
adjacent parts of the building if doing a partial remodel. These photographs are wide-angle type photos taken from several different directions.
Pre-construction and pre-demolition photographs are specifically intended to capture the entire project area and surrounding properties or capture
adjacent parts of the building if doing a partial remodel. These photographs are wide-angle type photos taken from several different directions.
Underground:
This group includes all work that will be buried like rebar and utilities inside and under slabs as well as the
normal underground utility work. When photographing the underground site work it is not necessary to
take pictures of every length of pipe. I recommend a few site overview photos from a high point if
possible and then getting details of underground valves, electrical vaults, underground tanks, etc.
This group includes all work that will be buried like rebar and utilities inside and under slabs as well as the
normal underground utility work. When photographing the underground site work it is not necessary to
take pictures of every length of pipe. I recommend a few site overview photos from a high point if
possible and then getting details of underground valves, electrical vaults, underground tanks, etc.
General Progress:
General progress photos are simply a set of wide-angle photographs of the entire project from fixed
points. These photographs are intended to show the overall progress or even lack of progress each week.
As much as possible I try to take these from the same points each week for several reasons. Mainly it
helps track overall progress with just a few pictures and this set is the best to share with management,
donors, and the public if desired. When the photos are taken from the same points each week they can
be used to create a time-lapse view of the project.
General progress photos are simply a set of wide-angle photographs of the entire project from fixed
points. These photographs are intended to show the overall progress or even lack of progress each week.
As much as possible I try to take these from the same points each week for several reasons. Mainly it
helps track overall progress with just a few pictures and this set is the best to share with management,
donors, and the public if desired. When the photos are taken from the same points each week they can
be used to create a time-lapse view of the project.
Detail Photographs:
Detailed photographs probably make the least sense to look at without the accompanying note. These are
photographs of parts of the work, close-ups of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, framing, welds, etc.
Without the notes you will not be able identify the purpose of the photo or locate it within the project. These
photos are normally void of 'landmarks' like columns or architectural features that helps you view typical
general progress photos. The visual as-built set is normally part of this group. Each wall, part of a wall, and
ceiling space that is photographed is considered a detailed photo because you are capturing a particular
section and not a broader area.
Detailed photographs probably make the least sense to look at without the accompanying note. These are
photographs of parts of the work, close-ups of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, framing, welds, etc.
Without the notes you will not be able identify the purpose of the photo or locate it within the project. These
photos are normally void of 'landmarks' like columns or architectural features that helps you view typical
general progress photos. The visual as-built set is normally part of this group. Each wall, part of a wall, and
ceiling space that is photographed is considered a detailed photo because you are capturing a particular
section and not a broader area.
Furniture, Fixtures, and equipment:
It's good practice to include these items in your photo-document. Capturing items like casework when it arrives but before it is installed and then
after it's installed up until the finished photographs will record the condition of them and help document any potential damage along the way.
It's good practice to include these items in your photo-document. Capturing items like casework when it arrives but before it is installed and then
after it's installed up until the finished photographs will record the condition of them and help document any potential damage along the way.
Finished Project Photographs:
These photos are just a part of the overall photo-document intended to show each area in it's completed
state. Set the camera to it's best quality setting for these photographs. Work with the natural lighting and
installed lighting for cool effects.
These photos are just a part of the overall photo-document intended to show each area in it's completed
state. Set the camera to it's best quality setting for these photographs. Work with the natural lighting and
installed lighting for cool effects.
The only time you learn just what you need to include in your photo-document is when you need to use your photo-document. I
recommend that you review past photographs and notes frequently and practice finding and using the photographs. Taking regular
progress photographs is a little like predicting the future, you have to decide what photographs will be needed.
recommend that you review past photographs and notes frequently and practice finding and using the photographs. Taking regular
progress photographs is a little like predicting the future, you have to decide what photographs will be needed.
