Photo Documentation
If you are interested in photo documentation all you need is a camera or a smart phone and we will train you. Photo documentation can be done less frequently than water sampling/testing. It may require that you take pictures when the river is at flood stage though you shall not enter the river in this state nor shall you attempt to get close. We do not want to lose a volunteer to enthusiasm!
Here is what Photo Documentation entails:
Make sure you clear your assigned location with Deb Youngblood. Once assigned, please commit to photographing your location at least once a month. (Instructions for uploading your images is coming soon.)
When you photograph your location, be sure to photograph upstream and downstream. Having the upstream and downstream images showing history will be a bonus for the folks who look at water sampling efforts by volunteers. We are kind of like the canary in the coal mine. If something shows up in our sampling or our images, it is an alert for the pros.
You only need to take 2 pictures at each location. but, of course, you may take multiple images and just upload, one upstream and one downstream image. The files for each location should be stored on your computer in their own folder for easy access. File names should look like this:
5-24-2024_pumpStation_upstream.jpg
This shows the date the image was taken, the location and whether it is an upstream or downstream image. The preferred file format is .jpg but LCRA will also accept .png file format also.
With regard to your historical photos, if you can label them as described, then do so and file them in the same folder you plan to use for all of your river images.
Mostly once or twice a month is enough but let the river be your guide. As you become accustomed to your location, you will undoubtedly begin to notice subtle changes. If you feel these changes are important, there is no harm in taking additional images.
When you photograph find a marker and stand at that marker every time. When you shoot, be sure you are shooting the same location by ensuring a specific landmark is in your view finder in the same way each time. Consistency is key. The only thing that should prevent you from taking a picture at your regular location are flood waters or some other catastrophic event. In those instances, stay clear of the water to ensure you own safety and take enough pictures to document the event.
Photo documentation is something you can start doing right now. If you are interested in photo documenting, use the form below to contact us.
