Back to the Basics of Camera Placement

By Bob Grossman | May 02, 2012 | Comments (2) | Post a comment

As we move toward more advanced image acquisition equipment, it’s often hard to resist finding high-tech solutions to low-tech problems. For example, if you can use image stabilization, why worry about camera vibration? While it’s true that modern cameras can often get you good images under lousy conditions, improving conditions usually improves the image quality dramatically. In that spirit, here are a few camera placement tips that we frequently see overlooked.

Megapixel expectations — Sure, higher resolution is better, but we may all agree that megapixel cameras are often overhyped. While you can cover a stadium or large open atrium with a single camera, that’s often more about obstructions than area. The megapixel camera that can see around trees and through marketing posters has yet to be invented.

Fixed vs. pan/tilt/zoom (p/t/z) — With areas that have obstructions, the answer is often to use fewer p/t/z cameras, rather than more fixed cameras. This is fine for live viewing (see following) but Murphy’s Law was enhanced to cover p/t/z cameras a long time ago. Something like, “If a camera can be pointing the wrong way when something happens, it will be.”

Recording and viewing — Along the p/t/z versus fixed lines, many people forget that cameras are used for both live monitoring and forensic review. If you’re covering a parking lot with p/t/z cameras and thinking that a 35X zoom lens will allow you to space the cameras pretty far apart, keep in mind that fewer cameras means fewer recorded streams. If you’re just viewing live, that’s not a problem, but if you’re going back later to review something, you may discover holes in your coverage that you weren’t expecting.

Stable mounting platform — As we look to cover long distances, with megapixel cameras or long optical zoom lenses, keep in mind that you’re only as good as your mounting platform. A camera using high magnification will get you seasick if it’s on top of a tall light pole on a windy day, or pendant mounted to a long, unsupported pipe.

Outside influences — Even with perfect camera placement, things go wrong. A camera located near a restaurant exhaust vent can capture the perfect image but require frequent cleaning. A loading dock camera can be blocked by unexpectedly tall vehicles. Sometimes it’s important to have a “Plan B.”

Height matters — Higher isn’t always better. Sometimes placing cameras too high can give you a great shot of the tops of people’s heads, rather than their faces. Too low and they can be disabled too easily. The trick, as Goldilocks can tell you, is getting it just right.

I’m sure this is just scratching the surface — what’s your experience? Feel free to vent or provide your own ideas by posting a comment.

Read more about: Camera Placement, Megapixel Cameras, Video Surveillance

Review / Comment

Thank you for this great post reminding us how to simplify camera placement.

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Shana Cooper
May 5, 2012

Nice back-to-basics post. Just like to add few points: 1) Megapixel expectation Many people forget about depth of field. If I focus at subjects at 10m, chances are objects at 20m or beyond gets blurred. Also about pixel density. If face recognition is required there is a minimum pixels required to effectvely identify the subject 2) Backlight / Stronlight source I've often see people placing cameras pointing at windows or glass panel when alternative placements are available. I even saw it in one of my leading local bank, where the installers mounted several cameras in front a spotlight. And the spotlight is pointing towards it! 3) Maintenance Some people forget that cameras needed to be maintained. I've got a client who mounted his cameras at about 6-7m above the ground. And his premises does not have any means to allow anyone to reach it safely. I refused to fixed that spoilt camera and proposed to shift that row of cameras lower. Doing it safely using a scissor-lift. Guess the rental of the scissor lift scared him off! No reply from him and no request to fix that particular camera anymore .. haha

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Edmund
May 29, 2012

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Bob Grossman

Robert Grossman has spent more than 15 years in the industry and is president of R. Grossman and Associates Inc., a consulting group specializing in electronic security products and projects. He can be reached at (609) 383-3456 or rdgrossman@tech-answers.com.