This is one of a series of guides for collaborative environmental research and advocacy projects....
Public Lab is an open community which collaboratively develops accessible, open source, Do-It-Yourself technologies for investigating local environmental health and justice issues.
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.
Planning this event
Ahead of time:
Take a look at the types of poles available by checking 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. For more information, browse through Activities 1 and 2 below.
Make a decision on what kind of pole sourcing endeavor you will embark on
Materials to have on hand, regardless of what kind of pole you are using:
A camera
an SD card that fits in the camera
charged battery(s) for the camera
rubber bands (15x)
an empty, rinsed 2 liter soda bottle
wide tape (usually packing tape, masking tape or painters tape)
Note: depending on your decisions above, pole materials will vary widely
Activity 1: If you are going to buy a pole
Visit Public Lab's store for the "world's longest selfie stick: an 11 meter carbon fiber pole"
Set your camera to take pictures automatically: http://www.publiclab.org/wiki/camera-trigger
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 the soda bottle (with camera inside) on the end of the pole, using tape.
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 are unsatisfied with the tape and soda bottle solution, consider reading this note about using hardware
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. The sketch below shows this concept with a balloon and it is the same for a pole:
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 (still flat on the ground at this point) 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 like an anchor. 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")
When bringing the pole down, you may want to have someone out near the end of the pole to catch the camera
Your last picture will frequently end up looking something like this :D
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.
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. Browse Activities 1 and 2 below.
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)
an empty, rinsed 2 liter soda bottle
wide tape (usually packing tape, masking tape or painters tape)
Note: depending on your decisions above, pole materials will vary widely
Activity 1: If you are going to buy a pole
Visit Public Lab's store for the "world's longest selfie stick: an 11 meter carbon fiber pole"
Set your camera to take pictures automatically: http://www.publiclab.org/wiki/camera-trigger
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 the soda bottle (with camera inside) on the end of the pole, using tape.
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 are unsatisfied with the tape and soda bottle solution, consider reading this note about using hardware
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. The sketch below shows this concept with a balloon and it is the same for a pole:
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 (still flat on the ground at this point) 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 like an anchor. 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")
When bringing the pole down, you may want to have someone out near the end of the pole to catch the camera
your last picture will frequently end up looking something like this :D
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.
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)
an empty, rinsed 2 liter soda bottle
wide tape (usually packing tape, masking tape or painters tape)
Note: depending on your decisions above, pole materials will vary widely
Activity 1: If you are going to buy a pole
Visit Public Lab's store for the "world's longest selfie stick: an 11 meter carbon fiber pole"
set your camera to take pictures automatically: http://www.publiclab.org/wiki/camera-trigger
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 the soda bottle (with camera inside) on the end of the pole, using tape.
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 are unsatisfied with the tape and soda bottle solution, consider reading this note about using hardware
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. The sketch below shows this concept with a balloon and it is the same for a pole:
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 (still flat on the ground at this point) 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 like an anchor. 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")
When bringing the pole down, you may want to have someone out near the end of the pole to catch the camera
your last picture will frequently end up looking something like this :D
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.
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
Activity 1: If you are going to buy a pole
Activity 2: If you are going to make a pole
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, you can reference [Natalie]{/profile/natalie)'s research note on assembling the mount here
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]
Check out Ecta64's research note on using the Public Lab carp pole (coming soon to the store).
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.
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
Activity 1: If you are going to buy a pole
Activity 2: If you are going to make a pole
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, you can reference [Natalie]{/profile/natalie)'s research note on assembling the mount here
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]
Check out Ecta64's research note on using the Public Lab carp pole (coming soon to the store).
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.
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
Activity 1: If you are going to buy a pole
Activity 2: If you are going to make a pole
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, you can reference [Natalie]{/profile/natalie)'s research note on assembling the mount here
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]
Check out Ecta64's research note on using the Public Lab carp pole (coming soon to the store).
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.
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
Activity 1: If you are going to buy a pole
Activity 2: If you are going to make a pole
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, you can reference [Natalie]{/profile/natalie)'s research note on assembling the mount here
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]
Check out Ecta64's research note on using the Public Lab carp pole (coming soon to the store).
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.
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
Activity 1: If you are going to buy a pole
Activity 2: If you are going to make a pole
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, you can reference [Natalie]{/profile/natalie)'s research note on assembling the mount here
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]
Check out Ecta64's research note on using the Public Lab carp pole (coming soon to the store).
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.
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
Activity 1: If you are going to buy a pole
Activity 2: If you are going to make a pole
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.
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]
Check out Ecta64's research note on using the Public Lab carp pole (coming soon to the store).
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.
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
Activity 1: If you are going to buy a pole
Activity 2: If you are going to make a pole
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.
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")
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.
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
Activity 1: If you are going to buy a pole
Activity 2: If you are going to make a pole
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.
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")
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.
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
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 your own rig and affix a camera to it.
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
Decide whether you want to make, borrow, or buy a pole. 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: http://www.allfishingbuy.com/Fishing-Pole-14-18.htm
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 your own rig and affix a camera to it.
Planning this event
Ahead of time:
Familiarize yourself with the types of poles available:
