This is one of a series of guides for collaborative environmental research and advocacy projects. Pole Mapping is an easy way to get a view of your garden from above. This guide will cover how to make or purchase your own pole and affix a camera to it. 

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####Planning this event

**Ahead of time:**

* Take a look at the types of poles available, check out the pictures on the wiki page! http://publiclab.org/wiki/pole-mapping
* Consider the pros and cons of making, borrowing, or buying a pole. 
  * **If you want to make a pole**, assess what you have locally available at hand to work with. Perhaps bamboo is readily available in your area, or perhaps a hardware store with long PVC is more your speed. 
  * **If purchasing a pole**, I recommend a lightweight carbon fiber one like this, but be careful, unsupervised kids can easily break these delicate but high-tech rods (and yes they are a little pricey): http://www.allfishingbuy.com/Fishing-Pole-14-18.htm
* Make a decision on what kind of pole sourcing endeavor you will embark on

**Materials to have on hand:**

* A camera
* an SD card that fits in the camera
* charged battery(s) for the camera
* rubber bands (15x)
* wide tape (usually packing tape, masking tape or painters tape)
* Note: depending on your decisions above, pole materials will vary widely

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####Activity 1: If you are going to buy a pole

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####Activity 2: If you are going to make a pole

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####Activity 3: Affixing a camera to the pole

* set your camera to take pictures automatically (insert link)
* put your camera into a soda bottle rig (to protect it from hitting against the pole, or the ground while the pole is lying down)
* hang it on the end of the pole, 
  * Note: if using a fishing pole, you may want to not use the very thin end sections that would bend over or snap under the weight. Carbon fiber sections with at least a 1/4" diameter should be strong enough. 

If you end up purchasing one of the [Public Lab 11meter carbon fiber poles](http://publiclab.org/notes/Ecta64/03-10-2015/carp-poles-as-viable-imaging-platforms-in-windy-conditions), you can reference [Natalie]{/profile/natalie)'s research note on assembling the mount [here](http://publiclab.org/notes/Natalie/03-06-2015/diy-pole-mapping-camera-mount)

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####Activity 4: Getting good images

* Lay the pole horizontally on the ground
  * note how long it is as compared to the landscape that you are going to photograph because there's a rule of thumb: as far up as the camera is above the ground is the same horizontal extent on the ground that any given picture can capture. 

[insert GM diagram]

* Attach the soda bottle housing -- with camera inside -- to the end of the pole.
* Make sure the camera is on and taking pictures
* Get your stance right: stand at the base of the pole and brace the base of the pole into the inside of your right foot (or whichever foot you tend to lead with)

[get picture for this]

* Lean over and grasp the pole with your hands and begin lifting the pole up, keeping the base braced into your foot. Keep your stance strong. 
* Bring the pole to as near vertical as possible to minimize the unwieldy weight (it's like holding a ladder -- straight up is easier and "seems lighter")

[insert picture of Frank in Newark]

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Check out [Ecta64](/profile/Ecta64)'s [research note](http://publiclab.org/notes/Ecta64/03-10-2015/carp-poles-as-viable-imaging-platforms-in-windy-conditions) on using the Public Lab carp pole (coming soon to the store).