1. A computer-implemented method comprising: acquiring, via a mobile device having image acquisition capabilities, a group of multiple images to represent an exterior of a pile of material, based on a human user carrying the mobile device around the exterior while images are being acquired, wherein the acquiring of the group of multiple images includes the human user traversing less than all of the exterior and further includes: selecting, by one or more configured devices, one or more initial images acquired by the human user to be part of the group of multiple images; while the human user carries the mobile device around a portion of the exterior, performing additional image acquisition activities for the group that include: after the selecting of the one or more initial images, acquiring a plurality of additional images that each includes at least one common feature on the exterior; and analyzing, by the one or more configured devices, the acquired plurality of additional images to identify at least one additional image to add to the group of multiple images, the analyzing further including excluding from the group at least one other image of the acquired plurality of additional images; and repeating the performing of the additional image acquisition activities until all of the multiple images of the group are acquired, wherein the multiple images of the group display only a subset of the exterior; and analyzing, by the one or more configured devices, the multiple images of the group to calculate values for one or more attributes of the pile that include a volume of the pile based on the subset of the exterior displayed in the multiple images of the group; and providing, by the one or more configured devices, information about the calculated values for the one or more attributes.