Public Lab Research note


Host a balloon mapping workshop

by liz | March 15, 2017 14:25 15 Mar 14:25 | #14022 | #14022

Want to show others how to make balloon or kite maps? Need help mapping a large site or doing long-term mapping? Want to start a local group of balloon mappers? Great! FYI, this activity has been updated from a previous research note of the same name.

We can use the comments below to exchange advice on how to organize and run a balloon mapping workshop, and keep this updated.

First steps

  • Get the word out! * Compile a list of emails of local interested people. Write everybody to say hello and suggest using one of the email lists. Also reach out over Facebook, Twitter, etc.
  • Figure out a good day (preferably morning for low wind) to meet. (try using a Doodle), and then post a clear event with date/time/location, etc.
  • Ask people what equipment they can bring: not just balloon mapping gear but cameras, gps, maps. If you're mapping on the water, ask if anyone has a boat!
  • Review the balloon mapping page and links and be sure you have all the supplies you need
    • Helium may require ordering more than one day in advance.
  • How many people can you teach at a workshop? A good rule of thumb is 4-6 people per mapping kit, each group should also have at least one person who's mapped before.

The night before

Workshop day

  • If you are the organizer, arrive early to the meeting spot!
  • Hand around a notepad to sign newcomers up on the mailing list
  • Some people like to start by showing MapKnitter so that participants know how the images will be processed ahead of time. Sometimes by the end of the day everyone's too tired to break out a laptop and start stitching images.
  • Bring and fill out a Flight Log entry with field notes and key data about your mapping site

Followup

  • Be sure to upload and share the best of the images freely (i.e. under an open license) with your new colleagues. Contact organizers@publiclab.org to find a place to host them on the Public Lab site (like MapMill.org)

I did this Help out by offering feedback! Browse other activities for "aerial-photography"


People who did this (37)

Title Author Updated Likes Comments
playaround 2018 - Taipei | Off Ground - Fly High @dusjagr over 5 years ago 0
Ballon mapping workshop - University A Coruña @imvec over 6 years ago 0
A balloon mapping event at MPavilion (Melbourne, Australia) @AssemblePapers over 7 years ago 3
Taller de fotografía aérea en Madrid @pablo over 8 years ago 0
DIY aerial photography: Kite-mapping workshop in London, UK @cindy_excites almost 9 years ago 2
Prince George Mapping Workshop @ann almost 9 years ago 11
Sweetwater Festival Mapping Workshop @ann almost 9 years ago 0
June Mapping Picnic @stevie almost 9 years ago 2
New Orleans City Park Mapping @stevie almost 9 years ago 5
Bayou Bienvenue Mapping! @stevie almost 9 years ago 3
Prince Rupert Workshop: DIY Aerial Photography and Mapping @ann almost 9 years ago 0
Smithers Workshop: DIY Aerial Photography and Mapping @ann almost 9 years ago 0
Newtown Creek Workshop with Balloon Photography @nameiswillis almost 9 years ago 2
Talleres de Fotografía de bajo coste desde el aire en Madrid @pablo about 9 years ago 2
Vadi HaAsbestonim: Community Aerial Photography Event @hagitkeysar over 9 years ago 3
Edmonton Balloon and Kite Mapping Workshop @ann over 9 years ago 2
Taller de fotos con globo en Barcelona @pablo over 9 years ago 0
Sneak Peak Balloon/Kite Photography Event @nicholas over 9 years ago 1
New Orleans Training Event! @stevie over 9 years ago 3
Philadelphia Night Market Balloon Flight @seankmcginnis over 9 years ago 0
Youth Balloon Mapping Workshop Complete! @mjain26 over 9 years ago 2
Kite Mapping on the Kill Van Kull @melissachecker almost 10 years ago 1
Earth Journalism Network Kite Mapping Workshop @willie almost 10 years ago 3
Kite mapping in Far Rockaway, Queens @jenmansta almost 10 years ago 3


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