Special Application of Photography

Abstract

Photogrammetry from aerial platforms has been recognized since the 20th century as an important technique to map aerial grades, cities and regions. The modalities known as terrestrial and short distance have also been used, although in lesser proportion, in architecture, to survey historical buildings and monuments. The main characteristics of photogrammetry, which prevented its wider use in other fields or made it difficult, were the high cost of the equipment – including airplanes, special aerial or terrestrial cameras, support field equipment for topography and geodesy, restitution equipment, and the high labor costs of the highly qualified personnel, from university-educated supervisors to technicians. All steps of the process, from the planning phase and acquisition of photographs to the finalization of the product are composed of a succession of rigorous proceedings, which demand high precision and attention. This scenario of high operational costs in photogrammetry started to change in the 1990’s with the introduction of digital photogrammetry. Already, in the beginning of the second decade of the 21st Century, photogrammetric digital cameras of all sizes are available on the market with high performance computer programs in mapping, but also for specific applications in mechanics, medicine, physiotherapy and other industries. Digital photometry has brought about great gains in productivity and has facilitated its use. Moreover, with the low cost digital equipment and the freely available advanced processing image programs in libraries, as well as the integration of new developments in the field of information science – computer vision, inertial sensors and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning, it is now possible to develop low-cost personalized solutions. Therefore, photogrammetry is now accessible to non-photogrammetry specialists, researchers, engineers and specialists in all areas who need tridimensional measurements, including those peculiar critical situations in which the object cannot be touched. The objective of this book is to supply current information about questions and applications of digital photogrammetry. The initial chapters deal with subjects related to radiometric and geometric quality. Chapter one deals wi