index–part03-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 Some are displayed on the website due to poor security or other errors (such as outdated software).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

#3 – Orientation

janmaher.

>screenshot - author's archive

 Testimony of an image
 part_03

#3 – Orientation

The scene is therefore located somewhere within the territory of Plzeň. In the third part of my investigation, I focus on methods that will serve as the basis for the final selection within the city area.

>3.1 - Prediction of the ground plan (sketch)
>3.2 - Position of the sun and cast shadows
The goal of this phase is to use various parameters to eliminate as much of Plzeň’s area as possible, and drastically narrow down the territory that needs to be later searched using Google Maps.

>prediction of the ground plan, author's archive

>3.1 – Prediction of the ground plan (sketch)
A sketch of the ground plan also became part of the project, which I drew during the investigation. It records all the points and objects I already know and where they are located in the scene. At the same time, the sketch serves as my prediction of the street’s layout (satellite view). Based on information from archived footage, I predict how the part of the street invisible to me is likely arranged.

This sketch also plays a direct role in geolocating the scene. When browsing Plzeň’s streets using Google Maps satellite images, it helps visualize what the street might look like from above, thus making the search in maps easier.

>prediction of the ground plan, author's archive

>3.2 – Position of the sun and cast shadows

At this point, the main tool for me has become the position of the sun and the cast shadows that appear in the scene. Over the course of a single day, I recorded several shadow positions cast by an adjacent building onto the walls of the garages.

By combining several images, my sketch, and the software from the website suncalc.org, I evaluate which cardinal direction the street in the scene faces. Determining this orientation later becomes a useful element, allowing me to eliminate a large portion of non-matching city districts.

>12:23, suncalc.org

>12:23, screenshot - author's archive

>14:03, suncalc.org

>14:03, screenshot - author's archive

>15:45, suncalc.org

>15:45, screenshot - author's archive

>position of the sun, author's archive

>final cardinal direction of the street, author's archive