A scale to indicate depth or thickness is important. A small spatula, kitchen fork, or narrow-bladed knife is useful for dressing the soil profile. Paint brushes of various widths and a tire pump aid in cleaning dust from peds. A sprayer can be used to moisten the profile when necessary. Photographing soil profiles.
Careful planning is essential for obtaining high-quality photographs of soil profiles.
The pit or cut face should be oriented so that when the picture is taken the maximum amount of light will strike the prepared face at the proper angle. The profile will need to be properly prepared to bring out significant contrast in structure and color between the soil horizons. Beginning at the top, fragments of the soil can be broken off with a spatula, kitchen fork, or small knife to eliminate digging marks. Dust and small fragments can be brushed or blown away. Moistening the whole profile or part of it with a hand sprayer is helpful in obtaining uniform moisture content and contrast.