The **Public Lab Timelapse Kit**: fight polluters by catching them on film! _Above image via @glennwalquist -- [read more](/notes/glennwalquist/12-04-2016/monitoring-sargent-sand-mining-operation-in-ludington-michigan#c16131)_ A number of folks are working across the Public Lab network to set up cheap #timelapse cameras. Help out and hold polluters accountable! ## How it works It doesn't completely -- yet! We're testing this approach in a few places around the country, and looking to prove it out more. But the basic idea is to point a timelapse camera at a place where you hope to catch pollution happening, to collect evidence and to pressure them to stop. [](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/019/690/original/Screen_Shot_2017-02-28_at_2.34.17_PM.png) (above, timelapse of [blasting at a mountaintop removal site](/notes/LauraChipley/09-18-2015/hacking-trail-cameras-to-document-blasts-on-mountaintop-removal-sites#c16250) via @LauraChipley) This could be used at: * refineries * mine sites * industrial facilities * anywhere you can safely place the camera ## How to help We're collecting well-documented examples of this technique in action, and we need: * great photos of camera setups * example footage * easy instructions on how to share your images ## Questions [questions:timelapse] **** ## Try it out We're organizing meet-ups to assemble kits, test them out, document and install them, so that lots of people have a chance to learn how to do this and spread the word. The basic kit is based on: > $103 (with 16g SD card) [Crenova Trail Camera](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016OASTDY/) - 12 megapixel, 8 AA batteries (note that it's actually 5 megapixels, but it stretches images up to 12, unfortunately) Get in touch (jeff@publiclab.org) to organize a local group to assemble, document, and test, and report back how it goes. **** ## Activities [activities:timelapse] **** **Flyer handouts:** timelapse-kit-card.pdf and 4-up version for printing: timelapse-kit-card-4up.pdf **** [](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/019/546/original/tmp_15415-IMG_20170214_121228_354-1789056372.jpg) (Above, prototype box mock-up) ...
| Author | Comment | Last activity | Moderation | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| warren | "Hi, DMerwitz - so you're hoping to use a trail camera to monitor a sand mining operation? Is the sand mine actually on state park land, or is it ju..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "yeah, we didn't have it set up for motion -- just interval triggering. But i don't know if that'd work! " | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| eustatic | "so did the stream trigger the motion sensor? I wouldn't imagine so... " | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| gretchengehrke | "Wow! That is a seriously dusty road! Is "fugitive dust" subject to opacity regulations in Louisiana? I recently learned that fugitive dust (such as..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| eustatic | "Some reference on light sensors in cars. You could experiment, i suppose, by blowing smoke in front of your instrument panel " | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| eustatic | "Here's an example of a person who lives on this dusty street, a housewife of steely resolve, using a point and shoot (Kodak Z7590 Zoom) to capture ..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| eustatic | "NOAA and Coast Guard made this guide "Job Aid" to observing oil slicks from the air. It's state of the art for government. OWJA 2012 Here's some ..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "Hey Stevie -- was thinking about how to refine this question for a specific use case, and came across this post by @tonyc: https://publiclab.org/no..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "We (@cfastie and I) tried this out at #leaffest2016 and will post an activity based on it soon! " | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "What about, as @tonyc explored, we photo a GPS unit when we start it up? What if we use a "proof of existence" app like CameraV to video the start ..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| dan969 | "dan969 awards a barnstar to warren for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "Reminds me of when we modified a Plant Cam (a gardening variation of these hunting cams) for infrared: https://publiclab.org/notes/warren/6-27-2011..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "great -- just ordered it! " | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| stevie | "I don't really have clear ideas about specs for this, except battery power, durability, and one that's low cost. Let's give that one a try! " | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "Stevie -- on a price/features comparison, this $95 one looks pretty good: https://www.amazon.com/Crenova-Hunting-Infrared-Scouting-Surveillance/dp/..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| stevie | "Oh this sounds great! I think you mentioned you have a Mobius already @warren? Can you order one of the trap cams as well? Would be great to have s..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| cfastie | "There are a lot of options for cameras to do this type of timelapse recording: Trail cams (smart battery power management, limited preprogrammed ..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "Shall we order one of those and try it out? " | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "Oops, my comment is poorly formatted, (can't re-edit but filed an issue) -- but you get the idea. I don't know of a moving body of water near LEAFF..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "I saw your related request on the LEAFFEST organizing thread, just wanted to connect that info here as well: - how the cams could be set up (angle..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| cfastie | "Techmoan.com does excellent gadget reviews and the guy loves dashcams. He has lots of reviews of dashcams including his favorite the DDPai M6+. The..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| patcoyle | "Thanks Chris. Your comment led me to a solution. Link to the Mac software is at: https://www.mobius-actioncam.com/softwareuser-guide/ I didn't actu..." | Read more » | about 10 years ago | |||
| cfastie | "Pat, It sounds like you are not using a very handy program to select the configuration settings for the Mobius. There is a good one for Windows (mS..." | Read more » | about 10 years ago |