Abstract: The present invention relates to a method which provides reliable image information that makes it possible to perform external inspections for defects in the welded parts of piping and the like using images such as movie images, still images and the like. Using a digital camera, digital video camera or the like, the reliability of images can be increased by adding information such as the time and place of imaging, air temperature, humidity, altitude, environment, sounds and the like to images. Furthermore, since imaging data is transmitted to a data managing company via the internet or the like immediately after imaging, the possibility of falsification by the person performing the imaging or the like is eliminated, so that the reliability of the images is increased, thus making it possible to obtain highly reliable image information.