A surveying method using a surveying instrument, the surveying instrument comprising: a distance measuring system (48, 49, 50, 51, 63, 65) for determining a distance from an object along a measuring line; a camera (43, 44, 45) fixedly mounted relative to the distance measuring system; a swivel arrangement (17, 19) a rotatably mounting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to a base; and an orientation measuring system (31, 32) for determining an orientation of the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base;,the method comprising: placing a first platform relative to a scenery; mounting the surveying instrument on the first platform and, while the surveying instrument is mounted on the first platform: orienting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base in a first orientation, and recording a first image of the scenery using the camera; placing a second platform relative to the scenery such that the second platform is disposed at a distance from the first platform; and mounting the surveying instrument on the second platform and, while the surveying instrument is mounted on the second platform: orienting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base in a second orientation and recording a second image of the scenery using the camera; and orienting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base in a third orientation such that the measuring line intersects a predetermined first object provided on the first platform and measuring a first distance from the first object provided on the first platform using the distance measuring system, and recording the measured first distance (127, 135). a distance measuring system (48, 49, 50, 51, 63, 65) for determining a distance from an object along a measuring line; a camera (43, 44, 45) fixedly mounted relative to the distance measuring system; a swivel arrangement (17, 19) a rotatably mounting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to a base; and an orientation measuring system (31, 32) for determining an orientation of the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base;,the method comprising: placing a first platform relative to a scenery; mounting the surveying instrument on the first platform and, while the surveying instrument is mounted on the first platform: orienting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base in a first orientation, and recording a first image of the scenery using the camera; placing a second platform relative to the scenery such that the second platform is disposed at a distance from the first platform; and mounting the surveying instrument on the second platform and, while the surveying instrument is mounted on the second platform: orienting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base in a second orientation and recording a second image of the scenery using the camera; and orienting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base in a third orientation such that the measuring line intersects a predetermined first object provided on the first platform and measuring a first distance from the first object provided on the first platform using the distance measuring system, and recording the measured first distance (127, 135). placing a first platform relative to a scenery; mounting the surveying instrument on the first platform and, while the surveying instrument is mounted on the first platform: orienting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base in a first orientation, and recording a first image of the scenery using the camera; placing a second platform relative to the scenery such that the second platform is disposed at a distance from the first platform; and mounting the surveying instrument on the second platform and, while the surveying instrument is mounted on the second platform: orienting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base in a second orientation and recording a second image of the scenery using the camera; and orienting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base in a third orientation such that the measuring line intersects a predetermined first object provided on the first platform and measuring a first distance from the first object provided on the first platform using the distance measuring system, and recording the measured first distance (127, 135). orienting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base in a first orientation, and recording a first image of the scenery using the camera; placing a second platform relative to the scenery such that the second platform is disposed at a distance from the first platform; and mounting the surveying instrument on the second platform and, while the surveying instrument is mounted on the second platform: orienting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base in a second orientation and recording a second image of the scenery using the camera; and orienting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base in a third orientation such that the measuring line intersects a predetermined first object provided on the first platform and measuring a first distance from the first object provided on the first platform using the distance measuring system, and recording the measured first distance (127, 135).