Photogrammetry I

Seng 2128
Haile A (MSc Geomatics)
6. Photo Interpretation

Elements Image
Image Image
of Photo Interpreta
Interpreta Interpretation
interpreta tion
tion Tasks Equipment's
tion Strategy
 Photo interpretation
• A systematic study of aerial photographs and satellite imageries
usually involves several characteristics of features shown on an image
and it depend upon field of application.

• … “the act of examining photographic images for the purpose of

identifying objects and judging their significance.”

• Interpretation is based upon the concept of differentiation the ability to

identify a single element due to its difference with respect to
background and/or surroundings.
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 Cont.…
• Difference can be "measured" in three responses:
• Spatial: related to dimension or location (includes size, shape,
position, association)
• Spectral: EM response (tone, colour as a result of reflection and
emitted EM energy)
• Temporal: change in spatial or spectral characteristics with time. Can
be cyclic (daily, seasonal, annual) or "permanent" (e.g. clearing,
construction)
 Elements of Photo interpretation Cont.…

• It is very essential for the efficient and effective use of data.

• Elements of image interpretation are regarded as being of general significance,
irrespective of the precise nature of the imagery and the features it portrays.
Shape
Tone
Element of Size
photo Pattern
interpretation Site/Location
Association
Shadows 5
 Cont.…
1. Shape : refers to General form, structure, configuration or outline of individual
objects. Shape can be a very distinctive clue for interpretation.
• Straight edge shapes typically represent urban or agricultural (field) targets, while
natural features, such as forest edges, are generally more irregular in shape, except where
man has created a road or clear cuts. Farm or crop land irrigated by rotating sprinkler
systems would appear as circular shapes
• The shapes of objects on photographs are vertical view of the objects. It is sometimes
very difficult to identify elements on ground from their vertical view.
• Shape of any objects act as a tool in identification of structure, composition and function
of the objects.

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 Cont.…
• Cultural features - geometric, distinct boundaries
• Natural features - irregular shapes and boundaries
• Shape helps us distinguish old vs. new subdivisions, some
tree species, athletic fields,
2. Size:- Cont.…
• Scale of the photograph determines the size of objects on the photographs.
• It is important to assess the size of a target relative to other objects in a scene,
as well as the absolute size, to aid in the interpretation of that target.
• it helps in determining if the object is small pond or a large lake and
differentiating smaller roads from larger highways, and distinguishing
between smaller tributaries from large river.
• By quick estimation of size of the object can drive to interpretation to a
suitable result easily.

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 Cont.…
3. Shadows:- Size and shape of any object can be assumed by their shadow.
• It can give a clue related to the profile and relative height of an object or
targets that helps in easier identification of objects.
• it may provide an idea of the profile and relative height of a target or
targets which may make identification easier.
• It very useful most particularly in radar imagery for identification of
topography and landforms on the earth surface.

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 Cont.…
4. Tone or colour:- - refers to the relative brightness or color of objects in an photograph.
• ,The fundamental element for distinguishing between different targets or features.
• Variations in tone also allows the elements of shape, texture, and pattern of objects to be
distinguished.
5. Texture:- refers to the arrangement and frequency of tonal variation in particular areas of
photograph. Texture is one of the most important elements for distinguishing features in radar
photograph.
• Rough (coarseness) textures would consist of a mottled tone where the grey levels
change abruptly in a small area. forest, lava flows, etc.
• smooth textures would have very little tonal variation. result of uniform, even surfaces,
crops, bare fields, water, etc.

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5. Pattern :- - refers to the spatial arrangement of visibly discernible objects or on the earth
surface.
• This spatial arrangement is used in the identification of objects. is an important clue for
identification of features.
• Smallest and significant patterns can be captured with the help of aerial photograph.
• Typically an orderly repetition of similar tones and textures will produce a distinctive
and ultimately recognizable pattern. Orchards with evenly spaced trees, and urban
streets with regularly spaced houses are good examples of pattern.
• Some natural and some cultural pattern and some are resulted because of interaction of
man and nature

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7. Association:- takes into account the relationship between other recognizable objects or
features in proximity to the target of interest.
• The identification of features that one would expect to associate with other features may
provide information to facilitate identification. For example,
• Commercial properties may be associated with proximity to major transportation routes,
whereas residential areas would be associated with schools, playgrounds, and sports fields.
• In our example, a lake is associated with boats, a marina, and adjacent recreational land.
8. Site/location:-refers to the vocational characteristic of object such as topography, soil,
vegetation and cultural features
 Cont.…

Elements of Image Interpretation

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 Cont.…

Elements of Image Interpretation

Shape Size Tone Site

Association Pattern
Texture Shadow 14
 Image Interpretation Tasks
Cont.…

• The image interpreter must routinely conduct several kinds of tasks,

many of which may be completed together in an integrated process.
• Classification

• Enumeration

• Menstruation

• Delineation

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1. Classification
Cont.…
• Assigning objects, features or areas to different classes based upon their appearance on the
imagery
• the distinction between the objects is made with three levels of confidence and precision.
I. Delineation: is the determination of presence or absence of features.

II. Recognition: implies a higher knowledge about a feature or object such that the object can
be assigned an identity in a general class or category.

III. Identification: finally identification means that the identity of the object or feature can be
specified with enough confidence and detail to place it in a very specific class.

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 Cont.…
2. Enumeration:- refers to listing and counting discrete items visible on the
photograph.
• For example, housing units can be classified as detached single family,
multifamily complex, mobile home, multi story residential and so on, and then
reported as numbers present within a defined area.

3. Menstruation: is an important function in many image interpretation problems.

Two kinds of measurement are important.
• 1st measurement of distance and height, volumes, areas etc
• 2nd measurement is qualitative assessment of image brightness by examination
of image tone using a special instrument called Densitometer 17
 Cont.… Cont.…

4. Delineation:- Finally the interpreter must delineate or outline areas for

different features identified on the image.

• The interpreter must be able to separate distinct boundaries for

different classes based on tones and textures within the same class or
between the different classes.

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 Image Interpretation Strategy
• Defined as a disciplined procedure that enables the interpreter to relate
geographic patterns on the ground to their appearance on the photograph.

• There are five categories of image interpretation strategies.

1. Field Observation
2. Direct recognition
3. Interpretation by Inference
4. Probabilistic Interpretation
5. Deterministic Interpretation
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 Cont.…
1. Field Observation are required when the image and its relationships to ground
conditions are not perfectly understood
• interpreter is forced to go to the field to make an identification.
2. Direct recognition
• is the application of an interpreter’s experience, skill and judgment to identify and delineate
different features on image into their true class.
3. Interpretation by Inference
• It is the use of visible distribution or presence of specific features to map one that is not
visible on the image.
E.g. presence of lineaments or fractures on image indicates the presence of ground water there.
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 Cont.…
4. Probabilistic Interpretation are effort to incorporate the non-image information
(e.g. whether condition, seasons etc) with image during interpretation.
• e.g. If it is known that wheat is harvested in June and if you are getting crop in
August image, it will certainly not be wheat crop and hence eliminate the possibility
of wrong classification

5. Deterministic Interpretation
• It is the most rigorous and precise approach.
• It is based upon quantitative analysis of image characteristics with respect to
ground condition.
• e.g. Generation of slope map, terrain model etc. 21
7. Applications of Photogrammetry

1. Spatial analysis
2. Mapping and surveying
 GT

 topographic mapping
• earliest applications of photogrammetry
• Still today
Photogrammetry

• E,g USGS, State Highways

 orthophotos, and digital elevation models(DEMs)
• Newer products
• replace traditional topographic maps

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 GT

 An
orthophoto is an aerial photograph that has been
modified so that its scale is uniform throughout
Photogrammetry

A DEM consists of an array of points in an area that

have had their X, Y, and Z coordinates determined

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 Photogrammetry
GT

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 GT

 land surveying:
• Aerial photo used as rough base maps for relocating existing property
boundaries
Photogrammetry

• Through stereoscopic viewing, the area can be studied in three

dimensions.
 highway planning and designing:
• high altitude photos or satellite images are used to assist in area and
corridor studies and to select the best routes.

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 GT

 preparation of
• tax maps, soil maps, forest maps, geologic maps and maps
for city and regional planning and zoning.
 is used in the field of
Photogrammetry

• astronomy, architecture, archeology, geomorphology,

oceanology, hydrology and water resources, mineralogy,
etc.
 been used successfully in traffic management and traffic
accident investigations.

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