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 transforming 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.