Category: Uncategorized

Three-dimensional model of Currituck Beach Lighthouse (11 February 2016)

This was one of our first experiments with acquisition of photos from a drone, and merging aerial photos with ground-based photos.

391 aligned photos from drone’s DJI FC350 camera (photos by J. McCord) 94 aligned ground photos from Nikon D300 (photos by N. Richards).

Currituck Beach Lighthouse (11 February 2016) by richardsn on Sketchfab

To begin with we could not get the FC350 and Nikon photos to align together (partially because of poor ground coverage, but also because of the significant number of trees), so I went through both datasets and found common reference points between the two cameras. This allowed for better textures overall, but also allowed us to create a better view of the landscape where the keeper’s cottage (W), office (S), and lighthouse (E) were in association with one another. Other buildings either modeled poorly (see shop, N) or not at all.

Lessons learned: more photos needed, geotaggers for ground shots, coded targets would assist.

Thanks to Meghan Agresto and Outer Banks Conservationists for allowing us to have access to the light station.

Slick/Hambone: Recording Currituck Watercraft

By Jeremy Borreli and Ryan Bradley (January, 2015)

During the summer of 2014, Currituck County Maritime Heritage Fellows Ryan Bradley and Jeremy Borrelli digitally reconstructed two locally built watercraft owned by the Whalehead Preservation Trust. This video tracks the history of these vernacular watercraft, explains their unique significance to Currituck and the Outer Banks, and outlines the process of creating 3-dimensional models of each boat. The history of boating and boat building on the Outer Banks is long and storied. Recording each vessel creates a digital record of the rare construction of these historic boats that reveal the personal legacy and unique heritage of Currituck boat builders.

Boat Recording Station Setup

Originally published on Jul 11, 2014 (by Jeremy Borrelli and Ryan Bradley, 2014
Currituck County Maritime Heritage Fellows)

A video short highlighting the process of setting up for recording small boats using a total station. After the station is set up, the real work begins. Many thanks to the Whalehead Club, Outer Banks Preservationists, and Coastal Studies Institute for allowing us to work on these fascinating boats!

See the video below:

Historic Photos: Boating in Currituck

Jule and Gadwell at Pine Island Hunt Club dock, c.1910s (Courtesy Elizabeth Baum, in Whalehead Preservation Trust Collection)
Historic Whalehead boat house (Courtesy Mr. Adams, in Whalehead Preservation Trust Collection)
View of wharf and Currituck Beach Lighthouse (Courtesy Marion Thorn, Whalehead Preservation Trust Collection)
Gadwell at dock, Pine Island Hunt Club, c.1910s (Courtesy Elizabeth Baum, Whalehead Preservation Trust Collection)
Gadwell and boathouse, Pine Island Hunt Club, c.1910s (Courtesy Elizabeth Baum, Whalehead Preservation Trust Collection)
Gadwell at dock, Pine Island Hunt Club, c.1910s (Courtesy Elizabeth Baum, Whalehead Preservation Trust Collection)
Gadwell at dock, Pine Island Hunt Club, c.1910s (Courtesy Elizabeth Baum, Whalehead Preservation Trust Collection)
Ferry coming into Pine Island Hunt Club, c.1910s (Courtesy Elizabeth Baum, Whalehead Preservation Trust Collection)
ferry at dock
Ferry at dock, Pine Island Hunt Club, c.1910s (Courtesy Elizabeth Baum, Whalehead Preservation Trust Collection)
Hauling nets, Currituck Sound (Courtesy Mr. Snow, Whalehead Preservation Trust Collection)
Crowd at historic Whalehead (Courtesy Mr. Snow, Whalehead Preservation Trust Collection)
Historic Whalehead (Courtesy Mr. Adams, Whalehead Preservation Trust Collection)
Historic Whalehead (Courtesy Mr. Snow, Whalehead Preservation Trust Collection)