INTEGRATING REPEAT PHOTOGRAPHY WITH GEOSCIENCE EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND ENGAGEMENT

Repeat photography—the practice of photographing the same scene as it appears in earlier photographs—was first used in the 1880s to monitor glaciers in Europe. Today, the method of repeat photography remains an essential technique for researchers to track and analyze environmental, ecological, and geomorphic change.

In this paper, we describe how an educator can use repeat photography in a compelling geoscience project that encourages students to apply innovation and imagination as they work beyond the routine and present their work in exciting ways that involve outreach, interaction, and engagement with the public.

We present results from one case in which a student completes a repeat-photography project that works across disciplines: geoscience, art, history, and technology. The project goal is to document land, water, and other natural resource changes at several sites in the Pikes Peak region of Colorado. The project has four steps. First, the student obtains historical photographs from museums, libraries, history centers, and other institutions. The student uses antique postcards and paintings to show additional change over time at the same site. Second, with prints of these historical photographs, the student goes into the field, locates the places where the original photographs were taken, and digitally repeats the photograph from the same vantage point. Third, the repeated photograph is processed with Photoshop Elements and compared with the historical photograph to document changes at the site. Last, the student prepares a paper or presentation that analyzes and interprets qualitative changes in the landscape and environment depicted in the photographs.

In this case study, connection with the public is made through lectures, exhibits, published material, and effective presentations at locations that include classrooms, museums, and visitor centers. A student-designed website showcases project results that depict changes of landscape and climate change over time.