Lecture 03: Photogrammetry – An Introduction

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Intro
In this lecture, we will learn the basic definition of the photogrammetry, the historical
background of the photogrammetry and the different types of photographs.

Photogrammetry (it is a Greek word)

Photogrammetry is the measurement of distance, area, elevation, geometrical shape
and size of different objects with the help of aerial photographs and light is the main
source to capture these photographs.

Definition of Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry is the art and science of obtaining information about physical
objects on the earth surface and then using these photographs to carry out
measurements.

Photogrammetry - an engineering discipline

The increasing use of computer and software has changed our approach from using
analog photogrammetry to analytical and then digital methods in photogrammetry.
We have to understand the techniques and make judgments about the objects we
see on the photograph.
We are using single vertical aerial photos, but we may require third dimension. So
we are using stereo aerial photographs.

What can Photogrammetry do? Single vertical aerial photo

We can create 3d models with the help of stereo images and we are dealing with the
planimetry mesh mostly when we are using single photographs individual
photographs when we are using stereo scopic aerial photograph.

Measurement on 2D or 3D Images
We carry out measurements in the 2d environment from individual photographs, but
when we have a stereo models, we can carry out measurements in the 3d
environment. We have to obtain the photographs which are highly accurate.
A 3d image is created by taking two images from two different angles and then
modeling them in a computer environment.

Taking images in Photogrammetry

In photogrammetry, 2d images are converted into 3d images and then used to create
a 3d model.

Origins of Photogrammetry
In 1839 the first photograph was taken, and in 1858 the first aerial photograph was
taken from a hot air balloon. The camera was tilted to take the photograph, because
it was difficult to keep the camera access vertical.

Photograph Outside Paris by Nadar, Circa, 1858

A landmark in aerial photogrammetry, the camera was not axis was not vertical, so
one can even see the height of these buildings from this data.
Kites have also been used to take photographs from space. Edie Archibald and
Arthur Batut were among the first to take successful photographs from kites.
Later on, rockets were used to launch cameras, and the first successful aerial
photograph was taken from a rocket mounted camera by the Swedish scientist Alfred
Nobel.
In 1903, Julius Newberner mounted a tiny camera on a carrier pigeon and used it to
take images of the ground. The images were used to carry out mapping.
Aerial photogrammetry became popular during the World War period and was used
for army purpose. Later on, it got used in the civilian area.

After the War, the technology was used to prepare large scale maps
for Civilian uses
Aerial photogrammetry was used in war and then later on civilian purpose for
mapping the landscape and carrying out measurements.

Various Aircrafts used in Photogrammetry

Many organizations came forward to develop aerial platforms aircrafts, because we
need a specialized person to operate the camera mounted in the aircraft.

Technological Developments in Photogrammetry

The technological development in the photogrammetry has been over a period of
time. From the simple photography taking with the normal camera to the use of
computer, from manual method to analog photogrammetric method, from analytical
photogrammetric methods to digital photogrammetry workstation based.

Camera / Imaging Devices

Aerial cameras were mounted on aircraft, and terrestrial cameras were mounted on
tripods. There were different models of cameras, and different types of
photogrammetry were used.

Conventional Aerial Cameras

The cameras were very bulky and heavy, and you had to carry the sufficient amount
of film up in the air when you were taking the images.

Digital Aerial Cameras

Today we have digital aerial cameras that take images in more than one spectral
wavelength region. They are very compact, lightweight and easy to operate.
The digital photogrammetry produced a large number of products, including contact
prints, analytical photogrammetry, stereo photos, and mapping work. The standard
size was 9 inch by 9 inch or 23 centimeter by 23 centimeter.

Photogrammetric Products (B&W and Colour)

The stereo mode was used to create a model for the photograph, and later on the
digital photo was introduced, so there was no need to expose the film, and you can
correct the image in the computer.
In the laboratory, enlargements were made to carry out the measurement to carry
out the mapping to identify the objects. These enlargements were done in the form of
a paper print or projected on the projection plane.
A mosaic is created by joining several photographs together with the help of the
overlap region, and then you can use that to carry out the mapping work and ortho
photographs. There are many products which are primary products, and there are
other products which are secondary products.
The second category in photogrammetry is the terrestrial photographs. In terrestrial
photogrammetry, we are closer to the ground and can get more detailed information,
such as development of cracks or identification of the inclination.

Types of photographs Terrestrial

There are terrestrial photographs, aerial photographs, and oblique photographs. A
truly vertical photograph is when the camera access is exactly vertical, and a tilted
photograph is when the camera access is between one degree and three degree tilt
with respect to the vertical line.

Types of aerial photograph

The low oblique photograph can be used to estimate the height of objects, but the
scale is not uniform.
The high oblique photograph can cover a large area as compared to the vertical
photograph, but it cannot be used for topographical or thematic mapping purpose.
Low oblique photograph and high oblique photograph are very useful for defense for
army purpose and from engineering point of view.

Use of Vertical Aerial Photographs

For engineering work, we use vertical photographs with the camera axis mostly
vertical, but up to 3 degrees can be accepted. Terrestrial photographs are taken
closer to the object.

Terrestrial or Close-range photographs

We can create a 3d model of the area from these 3 images by overlapping them.
The basic difference between a terrestrial photograph and an aerial photograph is
that an aerial photograph gets the plan of the object.

Use of Terrestrial Photographs

Aerial photogrammetry cannot help us as much as terrestrial mapping, so we can
use terrestrial photographs for deformation study, deflection monitoring of the
structure facade, and for deformation monitoring of the dam.