Timelapse Kit
question:timelapse

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. [![Screen_Shot_2017-02-28_at_2.34.17_PM.png](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/019/690/medium/Screen_Shot_2017-02-28_at_2.34.17_PM.png)](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 **** [![tmp_15415-IMG_20170214_121228_354-1789056372.jpg](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/019/546/large/tmp_15415-IMG_20170214_121228_354-1789056372.jpg)](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 » over 7 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 » over 7 years ago
eustatic "so did the stream trigger the motion sensor? I wouldn't imagine so... " | Read more » over 7 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 » over 7 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 » over 7 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 » over 7 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 » over 7 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 » over 7 years ago
warren "We (@cfastie and I) tried this out at #leaffest2016 and will post an activity based on it soon! " | Read more » over 7 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 » over 7 years ago
dan969 "dan969 awards a barnstar to warren for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » over 7 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 » over 7 years ago
warren "great -- just ordered it! " | Read more » over 7 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 » over 7 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 » over 7 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 » over 7 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 » over 7 years ago
warren "Shall we order one of those and try it out? " | Read more » over 7 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 » over 7 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 » over 7 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 » over 7 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 » over 9 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 » over 9 years ago