Photo Upload Guide¶

This guide covers uploading and processing beehive inspection photos in the application.

WORK IN PROGRESS -- UPDATES COMING SOON

Bulk upload features are currently under development. This documentation will be updated as new functionality becomes available.

Single Photo Upload¶

Basic Upload Process¶

Access the Dashboard: Navigate to the main dashboard page
Select Upload Method: Choose from available upload options
Choose Your Photo: Click "Browse files" or drag and drop your image
Wait for Processing: The application automatically processes the image
Review Results: Check extracted metadata and analysis

Supported File Formats¶

The application accepts these image formats: - JPEG/JPG (recommended for photos) - PNG (supports transparency) - TIFF (high-quality, larger files) - BMP (basic bitmap format) - WEBP (modern compressed format)

File Size Recommendations¶

Optimal size: Under 5MB for best performance
Maximum size: 10MB (larger files may process slowly)
Resolution: Higher resolution provides better analysis results

What Happens During Upload¶

When you upload a photo, the application automatically:

Extracts EXIF metadata:
Date and time taken
GPS coordinates (if available)
Camera make and model
Technical settings (ISO, aperture, etc.)
Performs color analysis:
Identifies dominant colors
Generates 5-color palette
Analyzes color distribution
Fetches weather data (if GPS available):
Historical weather for photo date/location
Temperature, humidity, precipitation
Cloud cover and wind conditions
Runs AI analysis (if configured):
Detects bees and honeycomb
Identifies text in images
Classifies image content

Photo Organization¶

Inspection Association¶

Photos are automatically organized into inspections based on: - Date proximity: Photos taken on the same day - Location similarity: Photos with matching GPS coordinates - Manual grouping: You can manually assign photos to inspections

Filename Handling¶

The application preserves your original filenames and displays them in the interface. For best organization: - Use descriptive filenames (e.g., "hive1_spring_inspection_2024.jpg") - Include dates or hive identifiers - Avoid special characters that might cause issues

Adding Annotations¶

After upload, you can enhance the automated analysis:

Inspection Notes¶

Hive condition: Rate overall health (1-5 scale)
Observations: Add specific notes about what you observed
Treatments: Record any interventions applied
Concerns: Note any issues that need attention

Tagging System¶

Add relevant tags such as: - "inspection", "maintenance", "harvest" - Season indicators: "spring", "summer", "fall", "winter" - Condition tags: "healthy", "concerns", "treatment-needed"

Best Practices for Photo Quality¶

Camera Settings¶

Enable GPS: Allows automatic weather data lookup
Set correct date/time: Ensures proper chronological organization
Use good lighting: Avoid harsh shadows or overexposure
Steady shots: Keep camera stable for sharp images

Photo Composition¶

Include context: Show overall hive condition, not just close-ups
Multiple angles: Take photos from different perspectives
Scale references: Include objects that show size (hands, tools)
Consistent timing: Try to photograph at similar times of day

Environmental Considerations¶

Weather awareness: Note weather conditions during photography
Lighting conditions: Avoid backlighting or extreme contrasts
Safety first: Don't compromise safety for better photos

Bulk Upload (Under Development)¶

Coming Soon

Bulk upload functionality is being developed to allow:

Multiple file selection: Upload entire folders of images
Batch processing: Process multiple photos simultaneously
Automatic grouping: Smart organization by date and location
Progress tracking: Monitor upload and processing status

Check back for updates as this feature becomes available.

Troubleshooting Upload Issues¶

Common Problems¶

Photo Won't Upload - Check file size (must be under 10MB) - Verify supported format (JPEG, PNG, etc.) - Try refreshing the browser page - Clear browser cache if issues persist

Processing Takes Too Long - Large files process more slowly - Check internet connection (required for AI analysis) - Consider resizing images before upload - Close other browser tabs to free memory

Missing GPS Data - Enable location services on your camera/phone - Some cameras don't record GPS by default - You can manually enter coordinates if needed - Weather data requires GPS coordinates

AI Analysis Not Working - Verify Google Cloud Vision API is configured - Check internet connection - Low-quality images may not process well - API quotas may be exceeded (check Google Cloud Console)

Getting Better Results¶

For EXIF Data: - Use cameras or phones with GPS enabled - Ensure date/time settings are correct - Some editing software strips EXIF data

For Color Analysis: - Good lighting produces better color extraction - Avoid photos with extreme lighting conditions - Multiple photos of same hive provide richer data

For AI Analysis: - Clear, well-lit photos work best - Include both close-up and wide shots - Avoid heavily cropped images that lose context

Data Storage and Management¶

Local Storage¶

Uploaded photos are stored locally in the application
Metadata is saved in both JSON and CSV formats
Original files are preserved unchanged

Backup Recommendations¶

Regularly export your data (see Data Export Guide)
Keep copies of original photos in separate location
Consider cloud backup solutions for important data

This guide covers the current photo upload functionality. As bulk upload and additional features are developed, this documentation will be updated to reflect new capabilities.