index–part02-en — >janmaher

testimony of an image
by Jan Maher, 2026

The work „testimony of an image“ presents the process of image archeology. The entire project is based on various methods of image analysis, which are outlined in individual sections of the work.

At the heart of the project is a live feed from a camera that initially captures an unknown street in its field of view. The live feed was found on a website that openly provides visitors with a vast archive of various cameras.

While some of these are public live streams, the site primarily features cameras that are privately owned and often stream their content publicly without the owner’s knowledge. Some are displayed on the website due to poor security or other errors (such as outdated software). This makes the devices vulnerable, and their private streams appear publicly on the aforementioned site.

„testimony of an image“ focuses on one such camera, which, according to the GPS data provided by the website, is located in Plzeň. However, the site warns that the given location is only approximate and may differ by hundreds of kilometers.

The aim of the project was to localize this camera using various methods and to document and present the entire process of image archeology. The research involves collecting digital data hidden within the live feed, using it to gather a wealth of information that aids in the geolocation of the scene. It also employs additional Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) methods.

The work consists of two parts: a physical installation that serves as proof of the final discovery of the location, and a website that presents the entire process and all the methods of image archaeology used to find the scene.

>testimony of an image

>Part_01

#4 – Finding the scene

testimony of an image

#2 - Geolocation

janmaher.

>a vehicle with bolt company sticker, screenshot - author's archive

 Testimony of an image
 part_02

#2 – Geolocation
The second part of my research focuses on narrowing down the search area. In this section, I examine individual details in the scene that evolve over time, which allows me to gather a significant amount of information about the specific area or city where the camera is located.

The website where I discovered the camera provides a GPS location, which is listed as being in the center of the city of Plzeň. However, the site itself warns that these data are approximate and may be inaccurate by up to hundreds of kilometers from the stated location.

>2.1 – Vehicles in the scene
>2.2 – Construction
>2.3 – Field research
At this point, I am addressing several aspects that I have obtained through various methods—field research, online research, and analysis of archived footage from the live stream.

>vehicle with a readable license plate, screenshot - author's archive

>2.1 – Vehicles in the scene
Vehicles present in the scene often play a crucial role in geolocating it. They frequently carry a big number of key information that can dramatically narrow down the search area.

One of the main points of interest is, of course, the license plates, which always include a letter indicating the corresponding region (of Czech Republic). However, in most cases, the license plates are completely unreadable due to their distance and the camera’s poor resolution. But there was one moment when a car appeared parked at the edge of the sidewalk, bringing it close enough for the camera’s resolution to allow me to identify the letter P—indicating the Plzeň Region.

Additionally, vehicle branding and wraps can also provide valuable information. In my case, I observed a Bolt company car (most commonly found near larger cities) and a Škoda Karoq with a Plzeň Municipal Police decal (though I was unable to capture it clearly), which passed by while I was collecting footage. Both of these vehicles strongly suggest that the scene is likely located within the city of Plzeň.

>Škoda with a bolt branding, screenshot - author's archive

>Vehicle owned by Plzeň Municipal Police, technikaizs.cz

>2.2 – Construction
About halfway through my work, the scene underwent a major transformation. Overnight, traffic signs and mobile fencing appeared in the background, suggesting that some kind of construction had likely started here.

I decided to monitor this development. Over time, I managed to obtain two additional clues useful for geolocating the scene. The first was a concrete mixer truck bearing the logo of Beton Union, a company with several concrete plants in Western Bohemia—two of which are located directly in Plzeň. The second was the text “UNI DEVELO” on a safety vest worn by one of the workers, referring to a company which is also based in Plzeň.

>construction, screenshot - author's archive

>safety vest with a company name, screenshot - author's archive

>Beton Union's concrete mixer truck, screenshot - author's archive

>2.3 – Field research
.The final step in this phase was deciphering the label on a municipal waste container. The previous clue had already suggested that the scene was likely located in Plzeň. I therefore went out into the streets of Plzeň and located a container of a similar type.

My field research confirmed that these containers are provided by the company Čistá Plzeň. With this information, I had gathered enough evidence to confidently determine that the scene is situated within the city of Plzeň.

>the bin on live feed, screenshot - author's archive

>the bin owned by Čistá Plzeň, author's archive