A Handbook for Photo Point Monitoring
Anyone interested in quick and effective documentation of change
in vegetation through repeat photography will find the Photo Point
Monitoring Handbook, PNW-GTR-526A and B, useful. Illustrations cover
such topics as streamside changes, riparian willow response to beavers,
logging, livestock use, and mountain pine beetle kill of lodgepole
pine. No special skill or training is required to apply the techniques
other than some knowledge of cameras.
The handbook is based on 45 years of experience in repeat photography
by the author, Frederick C. Hall, senior plant ecologist (now retired),
USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. Fred points out that
during those years he discovered many nuances that he wishes to
share so that new users can avoid the pitfalls he ran into.
Fred notes that there is one essential criteria if repeat photography
is used to document change. Distance from camera to photo point
must remain the same. For this reason, both the camera location
and photo point require permanent markers.
The Photo Point Monitoring Handbook is published in two parts:
Part A: Field Procedures, and Part B: Concepts and Analysis.
Part A discusses three critical elements: (1) Maps to find the
sampling location and maps of the photo monitoring layout; (2) Documentation
of purpose, camera and film, weather, season, sampling system, and
equipment; and (3) Precise replication in the repeat photography.
Part B covers concepts and procedures required to use photography
for analyzing change in photographs, monitoring equipment specifications,
and forms for recording information and mounting photographs.
Copies of can be downloaded directly from the Web at http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/gtr526/
or if you prefer, you can order hard copy version at http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/order.htm.
General Technical Report PNW-GTR-526A
General Technical Report PNW-GTR-526B
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