Digital progress photos

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Author Message Tracy Van Niel New member Username: Tracy_van_niel Post Number: 5 Registered: 04-2002 Posted on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 - 09:08 am:    I posed a question to our project architects about including a contractor option to submit digital construction progress photos instead of hard copy photos. I've received a lot of comments back, but wondered if anyone else is currently including this option in their specs? Have there been any drawbacks or problems? Thanks. gerard sanchis Unregistered guest Posted on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 - 10:19 am:    Tracy: We've been doing that same thing for about two years now. We request at least 2-megapixel resolution, but cameras available today will get up to 5 MP. melfcsi Unregistered guest Posted on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 - 11:01 am:    Tracy Here is the language I use. Most of my projects are Design/Build, where the Contractor and the Architet have worked together on numerous prior projects. 1.02 SUMMARY A. This Section includes requirements for periodic construction photography by the Contractor, utilizing digital camera equipment, to demonstrate construction progress and to serve as a communicative device when describing a given condition to others at a remote location, by means of the internet. PART 2 - PRODUCTS 2.01 EQUIPMENT A. Photography shall be taken using a digital camera and electronic program which will download the digital photos in a JPEG format to a computer with resolution adequate to demonstrate the item under discussion. 2.02 PRINTS A. Prints will not be required. The JPEG files shall be transmitted to the appropriate parties who shall then have the option to view the picture(s) on screen or print them out using their own equipment. PART 3 - EXECUTION 3.01 TECHNIQUE A. It is the intention of this Section to provide a tool to enhance communications and reduce the amount of time required to address questions arising at the Project site. In this end, the Contractor shall utilize good judgment in providing photographs that are informative, and not merely repeating what is shown in the other photographs. B. Provide factual representation of construction extent and conditions. Provide correct exposure and focus, high resolution and sharpness, maximum depth of field, and minimum distortion, utilizing a normal lens. John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA New member Username: Bunzick Post Number: 9 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 - 04:55 pm:    We require digital photography as well (as an option for the project manager depending on the project). We require 2 megapixel resolution; 4 x 5 prints on special photo paper; and a CD-ROM as a closeout document with photos in JPEG format, with an index. Heather Huisinga, CDT New member Username: Huisinga Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2002 Posted on Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 12:32 pm:    This topic bothers me..... These electronic photos can easily be manipulated to show or not show something. I've altered many pictures in my personal life (like taking the "red" out of eyes or "defining" something a little better). My firm recently had a lecturer on whether or not electronic media is admissable in a court of law...bottom line...electronic media (intentionally or un-intentionally) can be changed and therefore is not admissable in a court of law. Several members of our team wondered that if multiple people received the same copy of something electronically, then that could act as a "double-check" to make sure tampering had not occured. Well...what if it was tampered with before "you" got it? Again, not admissable in a court of law....at this point in time. I was involved with a project last year or so where a Contractor altered a digital photograph to prove he had installed something earlier than he actually had done. Obviously we found out about it, but it did creat a grey area that made everyone uncomfortable when trying to "put a foot down". Pictures of all media can be altered, but digital does make it easier...quite a bit so. This type of media allows tasks to get done faster, but is it worth it if you cannot prove it beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law? Anne Whitacre Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 05:04 pm:    our office uses language comparable to Mel Cole's -- AND we use our own digital photos that are sent along with field observations for contractor correction. I haven't seen "regular" photos in the four years I've been in this office. David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI Junior Member Username: David_axt Post Number: 26 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 07:40 pm:    I just spoke with a construction law attorney who represents owners, contractors, and design professionals in court. Richard said that digital photos are admissable in court. Like every piece of evidence they have to be "authenticated". This means the photographer must verify that the photo was taken by him/her and reasonably represents the item pictured. Dennis Hall (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Friday, May 28, 2004 - 10:23 pm:    I agree with David. I recently had this same conversation with a construction attorney. Unless he is willing to call you a liar on the stand and prove it, digital photos are admissable in court.