Types of Photogrammetry

and Aerial Photographs

Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry is a surveying and mapping technique which can be
used in various applications.
The name “photogrammetry” is derived from the three Greek words
phos or phot which means light, gramma which means letter or
something drawn, and metrein, the noun of measure.
The classical definition of photogrammetry is: “The art, science and
technology of obtaining reliable information about physical objects and
the environment, through processes of recording, measuring, and
interpreting images on photographs.”
Other Definitions of Photogrammetry
It is the science of obtaining reliable information about the properties of
surfaces and objects without physical contact with the objects, and of
measuring and interpreting this information.
Is the science of making measurements from photographs, especially for
recovering the exact positions of surface points
Is an engineering discipline and as such heavily influenced by
developments in computer science and electronics.
Uses of Photogrammetry
Military Purposes
Medical Applications
Manufacturing
Architecture
Quality Control
Film Industries
Uses of Photogrammetry (Surveying Industry)
Topographic Mapping
Site Planning
Earthwork Volumes
Production Of Digital Elevation Models (DEM)
Orthphotographic Maps
Types of Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry can be classified several ways but one
standard method is to split the field based on camera location
during photography. On this basis we have Aerial
Photogrammetry, and Terrestrial (or Close-Range)
Photogrammetry.
Aerial Photogrammetry
The camera is mounted in an aircraft and is usually pointed vertically
towards the ground.
Multiple overlapping photos of the ground are taken as the aircraft flies
along a flight path. The aircraft traditionally have been fixed wing
manned craft but many projects now are done with drones and UAVs.
Traditionally these photos were processed in a stereo-plotter (an
instrument that lets an operator see two photos at once in a stereo
view) but now are often processed by automated desktop systems.
Terrestrial Photogrammetry
The camera is located on the ground, and hand held, tripod or pole
mounted.
Usually this type of photogrammetry is non-topographic - that is, the
output is not topographic products like terrain models or topographic
maps, but instead drawings, 3D models, measurements, or point clouds.
Everyday cameras are used to model and measure buildings,
engineering structures, forensic and accident scenes, mines, earth-
works, stock-piles, archaeological artifacts, film sets, etc. In the
computer vision community, this type of photogrammetry is sometimes
called Image-Based Modeling.
Types of Aerial photographs
Types of aerial photographs on the basis of orientation of camera axis:
Vertical photograph: An aerial photograph taken with the camera
axis/optical axis coinciding with the vertical to the ground is known as
vertical photograph.
Types of Aerial photographs
Types of aerial photographs on the basis of orientation of camera axis:
Tilted photograph: An aerial photograph in which the camera axis is
unintentionally tilted by small amount (less than 3°) from
vertical/perpendicular to the ground is known as tilted photograph.
Types of Aerial photographs
Types of aerial photographs on the basis of orientation of camera axis:
Oblique photograph: An aerial photograph taken keeping the camera
axis intentionally tilted from the vertical is known as oblique aerial
photograph. The amount of tilt ranges from 30° to 60°. The advantage of
oblique photographs is that they cover large area and they also provide
side view of features.
Oblique photographs are of two types
Low oblique: Oblique photographs in which horizon is not seen. Tilt is
30°.
High oblique: Oblique photographs in which horizon is seen. Tilt is 60°.
Types of Aerial photographs
Types of aerial photographs on the basis of angle of coverage:
Narrow angle photograph: Angle of coverage is less than 60°.
Standard or Normal angle photography: Angle of coverage is of the
order of 60°.
Wide angle photograph: Angle of coverage is of the order 90°.
Superwide of Ultrawide photograph: Angle of coverage is of the order of
120°.
Panoramic: Usually referring to an exceptionally wide shot, which
includes a large area of the horizontal view. Panoramas are often
produced by 'stitching' together (using computer software) adjacent and
overlapping images carefully taken for that reason.
Types of Aerial photographs
Types of aerial photographs on the basis of special properties of films,
filters and photographic equipment:
Panchromatic: Records only single band data (visible region of
spectrum).
IR: Records only red and IR portions of EMS.
Color: Records all reflections of visible portion in color or natural colors.
Color IR: Records spectral colors and IR in combination resulting in false
colors.
Thermal imagery: Records only thermal IR emissions of objects.
Radar imagery: Records reflection of radar waves.
Spectrazonal: Records only selected part of the spectrum.
Types of Aerial photographs
Types of aerial photographs on the basis of lens system:
Single lens photograph.
Multiple lens photographs.
- Three lens photograph (Trimetrogon photograph).
- Four lens photograph.
- Nine lens photograph.