Version 13C 

 January 31, 2008 

 

ATTACHMENT R 

REQUIREMENTS FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS 

OF SURVEY CONTROL

TO 

SCOPE OF WORK FOR 

THE 

COASTAL MAPPING PROGRAM 

NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY 

NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE 

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 
R – Page 2 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

ATTACHMENT R - REQUIREMENTS FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS 

OF SURVEY CONTROL PAGE 

1. PURPOSE................................................................................................................... 3 

2. SURVEY MARKS..................................................................................................... 3 

 2.1 NUMBER OF PHOTOGRAPHS................................................................. 3 

 2.2 CAPTION..................................................................................................... 4 

 2.3 DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS......................................................... 5 

 

3. RECONNAISSANCE................................................................................................ 6 

 3.1 PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR MARKS.................................................. 7 

 3.2 RUNWAY END PHOTOGRAPHS............................................................. 7 

 3.3 NAVIGATION AIDS................................................................................... 7 

 3.4 DEPTH OF HOLE PHOTOGRAPHS.......................................................... 7 

 3.5 PHOTOGRAMMETRIC CONTROL POINTS............................................ 7 

 3.6 OTHER REQUIRED PHOTOGRAPHS....................................................... 7 

4. GENERAL................................................................................................................. 8 

 4.1 IMAGE SIZE............................................................................................... 8 

 4.2 FILE SIZE.................................................................................................... 8 

 4.3 IMAGE FORMAT....................................................................................... 8 

 4.4 PHOTOGRAPH FILE NAME..................................................................... 8 

5. STORAGE MEDIUM............................................................................................... 8 

*ACRONYMS................................................................................................................ 8 

ANNEX 1 .......................................................................................... 9
R – Page 3 

ATTACHMENT R: REQUIREMENTS FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS 

OF SURVEY CONTROL 

1. PURPOSE - This document describes digital photographic standards for images of survey 

marks that will be stored in the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) database and for other 

reconnaissance photographs (including photo ground control). Since many of these images will 

be in the NGS database and available to the public, the subject matter (survey equipment, 

personnel, background, etc.) shall be in good taste and professional in nature. 

Digital photographs are useful for station (mark) reconnaissance, mark recovery, mark stability 

assessment, quality control, and as an aid during data processing and data verification. Some 

projects may require digital photographs during several stages of the project. Generally three 

photographs per station will be stored in the NGS database, which will make them accessible to 

future users. The table below summarizes the required photographs. Detailed descriptions of the 

photographs follow. 

2. SURVEY MARK PHOTOGRAPHS - This section states the requirements for digital 

photographs of new and existing survey marks. For the requirements for reconnaissance 

photographs, including photo control points, runways, etc., see Section 3. 

Take all photographs during daylight hours. 

2.1. NUMBER OF SURVEY MARK PHOTOGRAPHS - At least three digital photographs are 

required for each mark recovered or described. This means marks for which a written, NGS 

format, digital description or recovery note was prepared. The three photographs are described 

as numbers: (1) extreme close-up, (2) eye-level (5-6 feet distant), and (3) horizontal view 

(approx. 10-30 feet distant). All three photographs require a digital caption and the correct file 

name. Photographs 2 and 3 require a small, temporary sign in the photograph. Use a small 

sign with large, clear letters (e.g. white board with dark marker). Ensure that the sign does not 

block the camera view of any portion of the mark, the monument, or any important feature. 

 REQUIRED PHOTOGRAPHS 

All Marks Recovered and/or Described

1. Close-up (Taken Vertically; so stamping is legible) 

2. Eye level (Taken Vertically; shows mark and area) 

3. Horizontal view(s), mark in foreground, feature(s) in background 

 

Take sufficient photographs to describe the stamping, appearance, condition, and location of the 

mark and points of potential interest including visibility obstructions, roads, runways, taxiways, 

or other dangers, any special set-up requirements, etc. Alter the orientation of the photographs as 
 R – Page 4 

necessary to include this information in as few photographs as possible (For example, for a tall 

obstruction, rotate the camera 90 degrees so that the long axis of the image is vertical). Capture 

the tops of nearby obstructions, if possible. If a station already has acceptable photographs in the 

NGS database, additional photographs are not required, unless changes have occurred or more 

than one year has passed. An “acceptable photograph” is defined as an image that meets the 

requirements of this document, is of good visual quality, and that no changes have taken place 

that a new photograph would help clarify. 

2.2. CAPTION - The photographer shall write a caption for each photograph and add the 

caption to the image. The block containing the caption shall not cover any portion of the mark, 

the monument, or any important feature. The caption should contain the following commaseparated information: 

 - Station designation (name), 

- Station Permanent IDentifier (PID), for existing stations in the NGS database, leave 

blank if new station, 

 - Airport Location IDentifier (LID), if on airport, leave blank if not on airport, 

- Photo number with cardinal direction (N, NE, E, SE, etc) that the camera is pointing, 

note, only photo #3 has a direction 

 - Station type (PACS, SACS, FBN, CBN), otherwise leave blank 

 - Date photo was taken (yyyymmdd). 

SAMPLE CAPTION FOR NEW MARK 

 JONES, 2, 20040825 

 

SAMPLE CAPTION FOR PHOTO CONTROL POINT 

PH1,2,20040825 

 

SAMPLE CAPTION FOR EXISTING PACS ON AIRPORT 

SMITH, AB1234, LAX, 3N, PACS, 20040825 

Note, the cardinal direction should not be included on photographs 1 and 2 since they were taken 

vertically. Do not leave blank spaces for missing data, see JONES example above with no PID, 

no LID, no station type, and no extra “commas”. 

The caption may be digitally captured on the image at the time of exposure or may be inserted 

later, off-line. Record at least the date on-line, if possible. If caption information is added later, 

take careful notes at the time of exposure to help ensure that the correct caption is added. Note, 

the caption shall not obstruct any pertinent aspects of the station or surroundings. To 

ensure that the letters of the caption are visible, use software to “erase” a rectangular area for the 

caption’s lettering; see samples in section 2.3 and Attachment Q. 
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2.3. DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS: 

A. CLOSE-UP - For survey marks, the first 

photograph (photo no.1) will be a close-up, 

taken vertically. It will be oriented 

downward to show the survey mark from 

directly above with the disk or logo cap 

nearly filling the image. The tripod shall not 

be in place when this photograph is captured. 

Brush any dirt or debris off the mark to show 

the disk. If it has a logo cap, the logo cap 

should be open. The intent of this photograph 

is to clearly show the mark, its condition, 

and all stamping on the mark or logo cap 

so that it is clearly legible. Use extra care to 

ensure that the stamping is clear. 

Suggestions: set the camera to its highest 

quality and resolution modes; rub a yellow crayon across the stamping to highlight the letters; 

set the camera to “macro” mode, if available; consider the minimum focusing distance of the 

camera (take test photographs to determine the minimum focusing distance and consult the 

camera owner’s manual) ; and, if a flash is used, hold the camera above and off to the side so that 

the flash does not create a bright spot in the middle of the disk’s image. Note, medium quality 

and resolution camera modes may be used for photographs other than the close-ups. If additional 

photographs are required, number these close-ups as 1A, 1B, etc. Rather than using a yellow 

builder’s crayon, a white, non-toxic powder, such as talcum powder, may be used to highlight the 

stamping. 

B. EYE-LEVEL - For survey marks, this photograph (photo no.2) will be oriented vertically 

downward from eye level to show the monument from directly above and cover an area about 1 

meter in radius, all around the mark. The tripod shall not be in place when this photograph is 

captured. Brush any dirt or debris off the mark to show the disk and the setting. If it is a concrete 

monument, clear off debris to the 

edge of the monument. If it has a 

logo cap, the logo cap should be 

closed open. Include a small, 

temporary sign in this photograph 

with the station designation (name) 

printed so it is clearly visible in the 

photograph. The intent of this 

photograph is to show the general 

condition of the mark and the 

immediate surrounding area. If 

additional photographs are required, 

number these eye-level photos as 2A, 

2B... 
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C. HORIZONTAL VIEW(S) - For survey marks, take 

at least one additional, daylight photograph oriented 

near horizontal, and show the mark, with tripod and 

antenna (if possible), in the foreground, and the mark’s 

identifying surroundings and any significant 

obstructions or possible sources of multi-path in the 

background. Show the top of nearby obstructions, if 

possible. Consider rotating the camera 90 degrees to 

use the long axis of the image to capture an entire 

obstruction. Place a temporary sign in this 

photograph with the station designation (name) and 

the direction the camera is pointing, both printed so 

they are clearly visible in the photograph. If 

additional photographs are taken, ideally move around 

the mark to locations which are 90 degrees apart 

(preferably cardinal directions). Name these 

photographs number 3XX, where the “XX” is the 

cardinal direction the camera is pointing, for example, 

3N or 3NE. 

3. RECONNAISSANCE PHOTOGRAPHS - Some, 

none, or all of the digital images described in this section may be required on a given project; 

refer to the Project Instructions. Each of these photographs requires a sign, a caption, and the 

correct file name. The names for all of these files shall begin with “RE” to indicate 

reconnaissance. 

Required Item Contents Description

Sign in Photo Name & Direction (unless vertical 

photo) 

Place a sign in this photograph with the 

station designation (name) and the 

direction the camera is pointing, both 

printed so they are clearly visible in the 

photograph. 

Digital Caption Name, PID, LID, Number, Type, Date See Section 2.2 above 

Photo File Name RE-PID-Name-Number-Date.jpg See Section 4.4 below 
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All of the images required by this section shall be designated as reconnaissance (recon) with the 

letters “RE” at the beginning of their file names. Generally these recon images will not be 

loaded in the NGS data base but may be required for use during planning, review, etc. All 

reconnaissance photographs will have digital captions. These captions may be captured on the 

image or added later. Note, in these specifications, “RE” stands for “REconnaissance” and 

“R” stands for “Right” runway. 

 

See the Project Instructions to determine which of the following are required: 

3.1. PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR MARKS - Take two photographs of each proposed 

permanent mark location. These may be one photo number 2 and one number 3, or two number 

3 (3A and 3B), depending on which combination better shows the proposed mark location. 

Include a tripod, stake, sign, or other device showing the proposed mark location. 

3.2. RUNWAY END PHOTOGRAPHS - Take at least three photographs at the end of each 

runway (including thresholds and stopways), as follows: 

- Eye-Level (photo type #1) - photo from directly above the mark, showing about 1 meter 

in diameter, 

- Approach (photo type #3) - photo showing tripod over mark in foreground and approach 

in background 

- Across runway (photo type #3) - photo taken from the side of the runway looking across 

the end of the runway, with a tripod or arrow indicating the end point; include any 

features used to identify the runway end. 

3.3. NAVIGATION AIDS (NAVAIDS) - Take photo(s) (type #3) of all NAVAIDS surveyed. 

Show the survey tripod in place to indicate the exact point surveyed, or if positioned remotely, 

add arrows and labels to the photograph indicating the horizontal and/or vertical point(s) 

surveyed. 

3.4. DEPTH OF HOLE PHOTOGRAPHS - Take at least one photograph showing the hole dug 

or drilled for a concrete or rod mark. Place a measuring device (e.g., tape measure or level rod) 

in the hole, clearly showing the depth of the hole. 

3.5. PHOTOGRAMMETRIC CONTROL POINTS AND CHECK POINTS - (Paneled and 

photo identified) - Take two number 3 type photographs of all photogrammetric control points 

clearly showing the point. These photos will be used later as an aid in identifying the point on 

the aerial photographs. Show the mark in the foreground and the nearest identifiable feature in 

the background. The two photographs should be taken from two different directions, ideally 90 

degrees apart (such as from the East and the South). It may be helpful to have the survey tripod 

in the photograph. 

3.6. OTHER REQUIRED PHOTOGRAPHS - as may be required by other instructions. 
 R - Page 8

4. GENERAL: 

4.1. IMAGE SIZE - Each image should be about 800 by 1000 pixels when submitted. 

4.2. FILE SIZE - Maximum file size for each image is 500 KB, typical file size should be about 

50 - 100KB. 

4.3. IMAGE FORMAT - Store the digital photographs in JPEG format, approximately 50% 

reduction. 

4.4. PHOTOGRAPH FILE NAME - Use the following file naming convention: “RE” (for 

reconnaissance photographs only), dash, the PID, dash, the station designator, dash, the PID,

dash, the photo number (1, 1A, 2, 3N, or 3NE, etc.), dash, date, dot, jpg. For new marks, there is 

no PID. Use a maximum of 30 alpha-numeric characters to the left of the dot. 

 Sample File Names 

 For new stations: SMITH-3-date.jpg 

 For existing stations: AB1234-JONES-1-date.jpg 

 For recon/photo control photos: RE-MILLER-3N-date.jpg 

 For runway end point: RE-LAX_CL_END_RWY_12R-3-date.jpg 

For the runway end point example, “RE” = reconnaissance, dash, LAX = LID, dash, “CL END 

RWY 12R” = runway end point designator (CL = centerline, END = end, RWY = runway, 12 = 

runway number, and R = right (or C = center, or L = left), dash, “3" = photo number, and date. 

Note, “_” (underscores) used to fill blanks. Note, in these specifications, “RE” stands for 

“reconnaissance” and “R” stands for “right” runway (used if there is a parallel set of runways). 

Also, the LID may be four characters rather than just three. 

The format for the date is: “yyyymmdd”, all numeric. 

5. STORAGE MEDIUM - Submit all digital photos together on their own medium (CD or 

DVD), not on the same medium with other types of data. For airport work, submit all photos 

for a given airport in a subdirectory named for that airport. 

*Acronyms: 

PACS - Primary Airport Control Station 

SACS - Secondary Airport Control Station 

FBN - Federal Base Network 

CORS - Continuously Operating Reference Station (Global Positioning System receiver) 

CBN - Cooperative Base Network 
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ANNEX 1 

INFORMATION SHEET FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OF SURVEY MARKS

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

CAMERA (WITH MEMORY CHIP, OR FILM FOR LATER SCANNING) 

STIFF BRUSH TO CLEAN OFF MARK AND CLEAN LETTERING 

SMALL SHOVEL OR SCRAPER TO CLEAN OFF MARK 

YELLOW CONSTRUCTION CRAYON 

WHITE BOARD WITH DARK MARKER 

WEED WACKER (OR OTHER CUTTING DEVICE) TO CUT BACK GRASS AND WEEDS 

COMPASS TO DETERMINE DIRECTIONS 

PHOTO #1 - CLOSE-UP:

- SET CAMERA TO HIGH RESOLUTION, 

- SET CAMERA TO MACRO MODE (IF AVAILABLE), 

- DETERMINE MINIMUM FOCUS DISTANCE, 

- SET CAPTION OR DATE INTO CAMERA, IF POSSIBLE, 

- THOROUGHLY CLEAN OFF TOP OF MARK (INCL. LOGO CAP, CONCRETE, ETC.), 

- THOROUGHLY CLEAN LETTERING (DISK OR LOGO CAP), 

- CUT BACK GRASS AND WEEDS, AS REQUIRED, 

- REMOVE SURVEY TRIPOD, 

- OPEN LOGO CAP, 

- RUB YELLOW CRAYON ACROSS STAMPING, 

- ORIENT CAMERA VERTICALLY, AT APPROX. MINIMUM FOCUS DISTANCE, 

- COMPOSE TO INCLUDE ENTIRE DISK, OR TOP OF ROD AND LOGO CAP STAMPING, 

- EXPOSE PHOTOGRAPH IN MID-AM OR MID-PM, IF POSSIBLE, TO OBTAIN GOOD LIGHTING 

OF THE STAMPING 

- NOTE, IF FLASH IS REQUIRED, MOVE CAMERA SLIGHTLY OFF CENTER TO MINIMIZE 

REFLECTION. 

PHOTO #2 - EYE LEVEL

- SET CAMERA TO NORMAL RESOLUTION, 

- SET CAMERA TO NORMAL MODE (NOT MACRO), 

- SET CAPTION OR DATE INTO CAMERA (IF AVAILABLE), 

- IF NOT ALREADY DONE, CLEAN OFF MARK AND STAMPING, 

- CUT BACK GRASS AND WEEDS, AS REQUIRED, 

- REMOVE SURVEY TRIPOD, 

- WRITE STATION NAME ON SIGN AND PLACE NEAR (NOT ON) MARK, 

- CLOSE LOGO CAP, 

- ORIENT CAMERA VERTICALLY AT EYE LEVEL, 

- COMPOSE WITH ENTIRE MONUMENT AND AREA AROUND MARK APPROX. 1 M. IN 

RADIUS, 

- EXPOSE PHOTOGRAPH. 
R – Page 10 

PHOTO #3 - HORIZONTAL VIEW(S)

- SET CAMERA TO NORMAL RESOLUTION, 

- SET CAMERA TO NORMAL MODE (NOT MACRO), 

- SET CAPTION OR DATE INTO CAMERA (IF AVAILABLE), 

- IF NOT ALREADY DONE, CLEAN OFF MARK AND STAMPING, 

- CUT BACK GRASS AND WEEDS, AS REQUIRED, 

- SET-UP SURVEY TRIPOD OVER MARK, 

- WRITE STATION NAME AND CAMERA DIRECTION ON SIGN AND PLACE NEAR MARK, 

- CLOSE LOGO CAP, 

- ORIENT CAMERA HORIZONTALLY AT EYE LEVEL, 

- COMPOSE TO INCLUDE MARK, AND IDENTIFYING SURROUNDINGS, ANY OBSTRUCTIONS 

OR POSSIBLE SOURCES OF MULTI-PATH, 

- EXPOSE PHOTOGRAPH.