Photograph from wide to tight
Start with building and room orientation, then show the affected assembly, then capture close detail. This sequence lets a later reviewer understand where the detail belongs.
Include door numbers, room labels or landmarks where helpful.
Show scale and measurement context
When photographing a meter or opening, include enough surrounding material to identify the surface and location. A close-up of a number with no context has little technical value.
Photograph unusual conditions before they are altered.
Capture the sequence
Document initial condition, extraction or removal, exposed concealed conditions, equipment layout and final verification when relevant.
Time order is especially important when a loss changes rapidly.
Protect privacy
Avoid unnecessary personal documents, faces, computer screens, medical information or unrelated possessions. Technical documentation should be specific without being intrusive.
Use this guide with field evidence
This guide explains the decision factors specific to photographing water damage for documentation. A site-specific conclusion still depends on the actual assembly, source condition, access, measurements and changes observed during the project.
For photographing water damage for documentation, use this page as the focused reference. Return to Structural Drying Intelligence to place it inside the larger drying decision sequence.