How to take photographic evidence for SFI actions
Find out how to take photographic evidence to show what you’ve done to complete an SFI action.
Applies to England
If you choose to use photographic evidence to show what you’ve done to complete an SFI action, you may find it helpful to read this voluntary guidance which includes advice on how you could do this.
The photographs can be:
- digital or paper photographs
- portrait or landscape orientation
Photographic evidence quality
When taking photographs, they need to be in focus and clearly show the relevant SFI action.
Digital images should not be smaller than 600 x 400 pixels and ideally the image file size no larger than 400 KB. Printed photographs should be no smaller than 15 cm x 10 cm.
Where possible, include a significant feature to provide authenticity, for example, ditch, fence, farm building, road, telegraph pole.
It would be helpful if you can use a copy of a map showing the land to mark:
- an ‘X’ for the location the photograph was taken
- an arrow to show the direction from which the photograph was taken
Take photographs consistently from the same location to show how you’ve done the SFI action on an area of land or hedgerows.
Labelling photographs
Label each photograph with:
- the Ordnance Survey (OS) map sheet reference and National Grid reference for the land parcel, for example SY1234 5678 - you can find this information on your digital maps in the Rural Payments service
- the SFI action code, such as SAM2
- the image number if you take more than one photograph of the same SFI action
The OS map sheet reference and National Grid reference should relate to the land parcel where you’re doing the SFI action. For example, XX1234 5678_SAM2_image1.
Save digital photographs using the label outlined above. They should have an automatic date stamp.
If you’re using printed photographs, write the label on the back of the photograph and include the date it was taken, the agreement holder’s name and the Single Business Identifier (SBI).