2) THREE FEMA LEVELS OF PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION OF HISTORIC RESOURCES
There are three levels of FEMA photographic
documentation. The minimum level is the minimum number of photographs needed to
record a three-dimensional built form. The basic level is the type and number of
photographs needed to record as much information in as few images as possible.
(This is also the basic sequence for HABS/HAER documentation) and the expanded
level is the type and number of photographs needed to make a complete evaluation
of integrity.
At a minimum, two perspective photographs are
required to document a building or structure. These include 1) a photograph
showing the front and one side of the building and 2) a second photograph
showing the rear and the other side of the building. These two photographs
document all four sides of a building.
When framing the building in the viewfinder,
ensure that the entire building is visible including the point where the
building meets the ground and the peak of the roof or chimney. Although this
sounds obvious, beginning photographers are often seduced by buildings and
attracted by interesting details such as carpenter-cut jigsaw porches, pointed
Gothic windows, and Greek revival columns. Unfortunately, the resulting pictures
sometimes fail to record a view showing the entire structure. To avoid this
problem, include the surroundings of the building, its site, and landscape
context. As the subject of the photograph, the building should occupy about 75
percent of the picture area, leaving the surrounding 25 percent of the frame for
visual information about the context of the building. A third photograph showing
a detail of materials, craftsmanship or design is also useful.
However, many photographs will be taken in cities
and towns where the buildings are at high densities along streets and it is not
possible to get a rear perspective. In this situation, the second photograph
should be an elevation and a third might be an important architectural detail.
The most widely recognized guidelines for photographically documenting historic
resources are those of the Historic American Building Survey and the Historic
American Engineering Record (HABS/HAER) of the National Park Service.3
We are using the list of views recommended by HABS/HAER as the basic
level of photographic documentation for FEMA purposes.4
Both exteriors and interiors are photographed for complete documentation. For
FEMA, however, the determination of potential eligibility for the National
Register will be made primarily on the basis of the integrity of the exterior of
the resources so that photography for the initial survey will probably
concentrate on the exterior. Integrity decisions are made of the basis of the
exterior for two reasons. The first is because the exterior of an historic
resource conveys the most information about the aspects of its integrity.
Secondly, and very practically, because in a response phase you will only have
time to document the exterior of a resource and will be taking photographs
before interiors have been certified as safe to enter. The exterior is also important because a resource
cannot have lost its integrity on the exterior and still retain overall
integrity. In terms of the “design” aspect of integrity, for example, the
exterior conveys large-scale characteristics such as overall form and shape as
well as small-scale architectural elements like porches and decorative details
such as fan windows. Other aspects of integrity such as “location” and
“setting” are exclusively exterior characteristics. “Feeling”, although
manifested throughout a building, is primarily an exterior characteristic. The
remaining aspects of integrity of “materials,” “workmanship,” and “association,”
are essential aspects of the exterior. Consequently, although interior
photographs are needed for a thorough evaluation of integrity, a set of good
exterior photographs will provide enough information to make an initial
evaluation of integrity.
Based on HABS guidelines, FEMA considers the
following views of the exterior essential for architectural structures:
1. General view at a distance sufficient to show
environmental setting, landscaping and adjacent buildings, if appropriate
2. Elevation of front façade
3. Perspective view of the front façade and one side;
4. Perspective view of the rear and one side
5. Close up view of the main entrance
Damage to the structure caused by the natural
disaster should be evident as part of these views. If you do move in to shoot
details of damaged areas, be sure to show how the damage relates to the overall
building.
If the interior is documented, the following
views should the taken:
1. A view from the main entrance looking to the interior
of the building.
2. Views of major spaces/rooms including important
features such fireplace or mantle (for large spaces such as sanctuaries,
factories or barns take diagonal views from opposite corners)
3. Other significant rooms or features as considered
relevant to documenting the structure.
Since you will be working under intense time
pressure with FEMA – to document as many buildings as quickly as possible – you
should approach each structure with this checklist in your mind (of the five
basic exterior views and three basic interior views) and be sure to photograph
them. Later, if you have time, you can take additional photographs of
architectural elements or damage. You should also discuss with the survey
director or Historic Preservation Specialist the types of additional photographs
that may be useful.
You should determine whether to expand this basic
level of documentation depending on the nature of the structure being
photographed and what needs to be documented. For example, two perspective
photographs work best on square or rectangular structures with four outside
walls. A structure of more complex shape, with more outside walls, such as
C-shaped building, will require more perspectives to insure that all of the
walls are included in at least one photograph. In the following sections on
eligibility and integrity recommendations will be made for additional
photographs. The expanded schedule of photographs outlined next is a guideline
for how to increase the number of photographs beyond the FEMA Basic
Documentation, as needed.
In doing the walk-around to become familiar with
the physical characteristics of a historic property, you also need to evaluate
the physical damage – where it is and how extensive it is. You should plan your
photography to include both the most damaged part of the building and the part
that remains most intact. In order to accomplish this you may need to expand
the number of photographs in the FEMA basic guidance. For example, the circular
motion of hurricane damage can be so tight that it will take off one corner off
of a building while leaving the rest intact. You should try to photograph
important features of a building if they have been blown off from wind damage,
but still remain partially intact.
Although we will discuss the documentation of
aspects of integrity by type of view below, the organization of views at this
expanded level are from views of the overall building to the closer views of
architectural elements and details moving in a counterclockwise fashion. (As
indicated, this is the sequence for detailed HABS/HAER coverage). Each side of
the property is photographed from the overall view, such as elevation, to
detailed views in the zoom lens manner of looking at a property as discussed
above. For documenting integrity, this sequence specifies an approach that can
be varied depending on the complexity of the building.
1. Environmental view of the front and right side
(looking at property from front) (FEMA Basic)
2. Environmental view of the rear and right side
3. Perspective view of front and right side (FEMA Basic)
4. Perspective view of rear and left side (FEMA Basic)
5. Elevation of front façade
6. Elevation or perspective of front entrance (FEMA
Basic)
7. Perspective or elevation views of architectural
elements such as porches or windows
8. Details of materials and/or decoration
9. Elevation of front façade (FEMA Basic)
10. Perspective or elevation views of architectural
elements such as porches or windows
11. Details of materials and/or decoration
12. Elevation of rear
13. Perspective or elevation views of architectural
elements such as porches or windows
14. Details of materials, hardware and/or decoration
15. Elevation of left side
16. Perspective or elevation views of architectural
elements such as porches or windows
17. Details of materials, hardware, and/or decoration
Remember, however, that these are guidelines to be
modified depending on the building, or structure, and its environment.
It is essential to organize your documentation
according to the FEMA guidance levels and maintain a list of captions of your
photographic or digital images. HABS/HAER requires a photo index in which
exterior photographs should be listed in the same counterclockwise sequence in
which the photographs were taken.
Since the final photo index will be organized
this way, it makes sense to organize your preliminary “shoot” list in this same
manner. A “shoot list” is the list of photographs you plan to take after you
have surveyed the building making the circular walk on the outside and walking
though it. When doing more than the minimum two-shot documentation, it critical
to plan your photographs for three reasons: after you start you can easily
forget what you have photographed; once you start shooting you will see views
you had not anticipated; and it is the basis for your index and description of
views.
Continue
with
3) NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA
FOR INTEGRITY
