1. A method for detecting malfunctioning lamps in a public lighting system, comprising the steps of: a computer receiving a first image of a plurality of lamps; the computer receiving a second image of the plurality of lamps; the computer determining a transformation function for each section of the second image, wherein determining a transformation function for each section of the second image includes: comparing one or more pixels contained in a section of the first image to one or more pixels contained in a corresponding section of the second image and determining a mathematical function that can be applied to the corresponding section of the second image so that the one or more pixels contained in the corresponding section of the second image coincide geometrically with the corresponding one or more pixels contained in the section of the first image; the computer utilizing the determined transformation function for each section of the second image to transform the second image so a location depicted in a plurality of pixels of a first image is depicted in a corresponding plurality of pixels in the second image; the computer determining a brightness variation exists between a pixel of the plurality of pixels of the second image and a corresponding pixel of the plurality of pixels of the first image; and the computer identifying a location corresponding to the pixel of the plurality of pixels of the second image where the brightness variation exists.