Original Photographs
- Highest-resolution JPEG, PNG or TIFF files
- Complete box and row coverage
- Consistent camera orientation where possible
- Visible core, labels and scale reference
- Minimal glare, shadow and compression
Core Box Photos to Continuous Core Imagery
Create Depth-Registered Core Images from Individual Box Photographs
GAEA organizes, extracts and assembles photographed core into continuous visual records for logging, correlation, interpretation and archiving. Each project is registered to supplied depth control and reviewed from source image to final output.
Depth registered High-resolution output WinLoG-ready columns Documented QA/QC
ContinuousFull-length visual record
Depth-RegisteredBased on supplied controls
Flexible OutputTIFF, PNG or JPEG
Software ReadyIncluding WinLoG columns
Prepare the Source Correctly
Images and Metadata Needed for Reliable Splicing
Complete depth control is as important as image quality. Representative files are reviewed before the production scope, output dimensions and schedule are confirmed.
Depth Control
- Borehole, box, run and row identifiers
- From and to depths with units
- Top-to-bottom viewing direction
- Lost, missing or unrecovered intervals
- Known overlaps, breaks or disturbed core
Project Instructions
- Wet or dry photography status
- Required image width and resolution
- Output format and naming convention
- Target software or reporting workflow
- Confidentiality and retention requirements
Important: retain the original photographs and drilling records. The processed composite is an image-derived presentation of supplied evidence, not a replacement for the original record or physical core.
Before and After
From Separate Core Boxes to a Continuous Visual Record
Core rows are isolated from their boxes, ordered using project metadata, registered to depth and assembled into a consistent image suitable for a borehole log or interpretation workflow.
The example is representative. The quotation defines the actual boreholes, intervals, image dimensions, labels, formats and supporting files included in a project.
Depth-Registration Manifest
Connect Every Image to Its Borehole and Interval
A simple manifest prevents filename ambiguity and provides the controlling depth sequence for production and QA/QC.
| hole_id | box_id | row_id | depth_from | depth_to | units | orientation | file_name | status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DH-01 | BX-001 | 1 | 0.00 | 1.50 | m | Top left to right | DH01_BX001.jpg | Complete |
| DH-01 | BX-001 | 2 | 1.50 | 3.00 | m | Top left to right | DH01_BX001.jpg | 0.10 m lost core |
Additional fields may record run number, tray number, photography state, date, photographer or comments.
Source-to-Output Workflow
Eight Controlled Steps from Photographs to Delivery
The workflow preserves traceability between each source image, its depth interval and the final continuous visual record.
1
Inventory and Review
Confirm boreholes, boxes, rows, file condition, depth records and required outputs.
2
Order and Orient
Match files to the manifest and confirm the top, bottom and viewing direction of each row.
3
Correct and Crop
Apply agreed rotation, perspective correction and cropping while preserving core evidence.
4
Extract Core Rows
Separate core imagery from trays, labels and surrounding areas needed only for reference.
5
Register Depth
Assign image segments to supplied from/to depths without inventing missing intervals.
6
Reconcile Continuity
Identify gaps, overlaps, lost core, duplicated photos and sequence conflicts for review.
7
Assemble Output
Create the continuous strip and apply agreed labels, dimensions and controlled normalization.
8
Verify and Deliver
Compare the composite with source files, confirm organization and package the scoped outputs.
Project Deliverables
Specify the Images and Supporting Records You Need
Deliverables are selected during quotation so resolution, dimensions, compression and downstream compatibility are established before processing.
Continuous Borehole Composite
A full-depth visual record assembled from confirmed boxes and rows.
| Formats | TIFF, PNG or JPEG |
| Resolution | Project defined |
| Organization | Per borehole or interval |
WinLoG-Ready Image Column
A narrow continuous core image prepared for depth-aligned display on a WinLoG log.
| Depth range | Manifest controlled |
| Width | Template defined |
| Orientation | Shallow to deep |
Supporting Project Files
Optional records maintain traceability and document processing decisions.
| Index | Depth-to-image CSV |
| Inventory | Source manifest |
| Review | QA/QC summary |
TIFF, PNG and JPEG are image formats, not universal software guarantees. Confirm the receiving application’s file-size, pixel-dimension, colour-space and import requirements when requesting a quote.
QA/QC and Limitations
Faithful Processing Without Inventing Missing Evidence
Quality control checks the identity, order, depth and visual continuity of the deliverable while recording source limitations that processing cannot legitimately remove.
Borehole, box, row and filename matching
Image count, sequence and orientation
From/to depths and unit consistency
Missing, duplicated and overlapping files
Lost or unrecovered core intervals
Rotation, crop and perspective review
Focus, exposure, glare and shadow review
Splice seams and visual continuity
Final source-to-output comparison
Applications
Continuous Core Imagery Across Project Types
Mining and Exploration
Display lithology, mineralization, alteration, structure and recovery beside logged intervals.
Geotechnical Rock Core
Support visual review of fractures, weathering, recovery and rock-quality observations.
Sediment Cores
Create narrow continuous images for stratigraphic, environmental and laboratory correlation.
Environmental Investigation
Present visible staining, material changes and sample intervals beside the field log.
Historical Archives
Organize legacy core photographs into consistent borehole-level visual records.
Technical Reporting
Prepare readable composites and previews for reports, appendices and portals.
Correlation
Compare visual evidence with logs, samples, structures, assays and interpreted units.
Digital Preservation
Create standardized derivatives while retaining the unmodified source archive.
Pricing and Project Scope
A Final Quote Follows Review of Representative Images
Image condition and metadata completeness determine how much manual correction and reconciliation are required.
Starting Price
As low as US$80
per core box image
per core box image
This starting point applies to suitable source images with clear identifiers, consistent photography and complete depth information. It is not a binding price for every project.
Currency, minimum charges, taxes, transfer requirements, optional deliverables and expedited scheduling are confirmed in the written quotation.
Factors Affecting Cost and Schedule
Number of boreholes and images
Rows and intervals per box
Image clarity and consistency
Depth metadata completeness
Perspective and rotation correction
Gap and overlap reconciliation
Output formats and dimensions
Requested completion date
Include with the quote request:
- Image count
- Borehole count
- Depth range and units
- Sample originals
- Manifest or box list
- Required outputs
- Target software
- Required date
- Confidentiality needs
Agree on Transfer, Retention and Access Before Submission
Core photographs can contain proprietary geological, resource, location and project information. Identify handling requirements during quotation so an appropriate transfer and production process can be confirmed.
- Identify NDA or contractual confidentiality requirements
- Confirm the approved transfer method before sending sensitive files
- State source-file retention or deletion requirements
- Separate representative quote images from the complete production archive
- Retain original, unmodified project photographs and records
Technical Guidance
Learn More About Core Photography and Geoscience Data
Core Photos: Unlocking Their Full Potential
Review how organized core photography supports logging, interpretation, correlation and long-term project value.
Read the articleGeoscience Data Digitization
Explore a broader framework for converting subsurface records into reusable digital information.
Read the guideWinLoG Borehole Logging
Learn how depth-linked image columns can be presented beside lithology, samples and other borehole data.
Explore WinLoG featuresFrequently Asked Questions
Planning a Core Photo Splicing Project
What source image formats can I submit?
Original JPEG, PNG and TIFF images can be reviewed. Submit the highest-resolution originals available rather than screenshots or compressed copies. Contact GAEA before sending RAW camera files, PDFs or unusually large archives.
How is a core photograph assigned to depth?
Depth registration uses the supplied borehole, box, row, run and from/to depth information. Box labels, drilling records and a project manifest remain the controlling references; the image alone is not used to invent missing depths.
What happens when photographs contain gaps or overlapping core?
Known missing, lost, duplicated or overlapping intervals are reconciled against the supplied records and documented. Images are not stretched simply to force visual continuity, and unresolved intervals are flagged for project review.
Can poor photographs be repaired?
Rotation, cropping, perspective correction and controlled exposure or colour balancing can improve usable images. Processing cannot recreate core hidden by labels, restore genuinely missing pixels or recover geological detail from severe blur, glare, shadow or overexposure.
Which deliverables are available?
The quotation can specify a full-length borehole composite, a narrow WinLoG-ready core-photo column, high-resolution TIFF or PNG masters, JPEG or web previews, a depth-to-image index, a source manifest and a QA/QC summary. Only the deliverables listed in the approved quotation are included.
Can wet and dry core photographs be combined?
They can be organized within one project, but wet and dry states should be identified because moisture changes colour, contrast and reflectance. Processing does not make wet and dry photographs scientifically equivalent.
How is the price determined?
Pricing may start as low as US$80 per core box image for clear, consistently photographed material with complete depth metadata. Final cost depends on image condition, rows per box, metadata quality, required corrections, output specifications, project volume and schedule.
Are the resulting images compatible with WinLoG and other software?
WinLoG-ready continuous image columns can be produced to agreed pixel dimensions and depth range. TIFF, PNG and JPEG output may also suit other applications, but format, size and import requirements should be confirmed for the receiving software before production.
How is confidentiality handled?
Identify confidentiality, NDA, transfer and retention requirements when requesting a quote. GAEA will confirm the appropriate project-specific transfer and handling process before sensitive source photographs are submitted.
Does the continuous image replace the original photographs or physical core?
No. The composite is an image-derived visual record prepared for display, correlation and interpretation. Original photographs, drilling records, logs and physical core remain the authoritative project evidence and should be retained according to project requirements.
Turn Core Box Photographs into a Continuous Project Record
Send representative originals and a depth inventory for review. The quotation will define the boreholes, intervals, corrections, deliverables, QA/QC, schedule and file-handling requirements.