With the UK gaining responsibility for Commission V at the Beijing Congress in 2008, there was an opportunity to create a new working group focusing on earth science applications at close range. The earth science community has had a long tradition of using close range photogrammetry, and more recently laser scanning, and such opportunities have not been fully recognised by ISPRS in the past. Formation of a new ISPRS Working Group helps to bridge this gap and promotes the skills of ISPRS members more widely. The purpose of this paper is to justify the creation of Working Group V6 and identify some of the activities conducted over the last four years. In particular, reference will be made to the various technical sessions which have been organised and supported across the world, the first resulting in a Special Issue of The Photogrammetric Record published in September 2010. In addition, Working Group V6 has been responsible for the creation of two freely available guidance documents entitled "tips for the effective use of digital close range photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanning". The former focuses on close range digital photogrammetry and has developed through several iterations with input from both academic and industrial users from around the world. For this reason it should be of distinct value to new and perhaps non-expert users interested in using photogrammetry for earth science applications.<br><br> The paper includes a discussion which considers whether the initial four years of activity have been successful. A superficial assessment based upon the number of members attracted worldwide would suggest that this has indeed been the case. A deeper comparison between proposed activities and those actually achieved suggest some discrepancy, which is perhaps inevitable as Working Group Officers clearly have other responsibilities. However, examination of papers published in the earth surface journals reveal high incidence of photogrammetry and laser scanning appearing in recent work. This should encourage members of Working Group V6 in future activities and collaborations.