FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept.

of Geospatial & Space Technology

Introduction to Photogrammetry
1) Definitions and Background
2) Basic Principles and Outputs
3) Theory of Photogrammetry
4) Stereoscopic Vision
5) Photogrammetric Project Planning
B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi
 FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Introduction
Photogrammetry is the art, science and technology of
obtaining reliable information about the properties of
physical objects and the environment through the processes
of recording, measuring and interpreting photographic
images and patterns of electromagnetic radiant energy and
other phenomena.
The name “photogrammetry” is derived from the Greek
words phos or phot which means light, gramma which means
letter or something drawn, metrein, the noun of measure.
B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi
FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Historical Background

Major
Photogrammetric
Phases as a result
of Technological
Innovations.

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Photogrammetry: A Systems Perspective

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

 FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Photogrammetry: Data Acquisition (1)

Data acquisition in photogrammetry is concerned
with obtaining reliable information about the
properties of surfaces and objects.
The remotely received information can be grouped
into four categories:
1) Geometric information involves the spatial position
and shape of objects. It is the most important
information source in photogrammetry.
2) Physical information refers to properties of EM
radiation, e.g., radiant energy, wavelength, and
polarization.
B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi
 FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Photogrammetry: Data Acquisition (2)

3) Semantic information is related to the meaning of

an image and defines the relationship between
different objects and attributes. It is usually
obtained by interpreting the recorded data.
4) Temporal information is related to the change of an
object in time, usually obtained by comparing
several images which were recorded in different
times/epochs.

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Photogrammetry: Data Acquisition (3)

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

 FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Photogrammetry: Products (1)

Photogrammetric products fall into three categories:
Photographic products,computational results, and maps.
a) Photographic Products:
These are derivatives of single photographs or
composites of overlapping photographs. Figure below
depicts the typical case of photographs taken by an
aerial camera. During the time of exposure, a latent
image is formed which is developed to a negative. At
the same time diapositives and paper prints are
produced. Enlargements may be quite useful for
preliminary design or planning studies. A better
approximation to a map are rectifications. A plane
rectification involves just tipping and tilting the
diapositive so that it will be parallel to the ground.
B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi
FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Photogrammetry: Products (2)

If the ground has a relief, then the rectified
photograph still has errors. Only a differentially
rectified photograph, better known as orthophoto is
geometrically identical with a map.
Composites are frequently used as a first base for
general planning studies. Photomosaics are best
known, but composites with orthophotos, called
orthophoto maps are also used, especially now with
the possibility to generate them with methods of
digital photogrammetry.
B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi
FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Photogrammetry: Products (3)

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Photogrammetry: Products (4)

b) Computational Results:
Aerial triangulation is a very successful
application of photogrammetry. It delivers 3-D
positions of points, measured on photographs, in a
ground control coordinate system.
Profiles and cross sections are typical products
for highways design where earthwork quantities
are computed.
The most popular form for representing portions
of the Earth’s surface is the DEM/DTM (Digital
Elevation Model / Digital Terrain Model).
B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi
FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Digital Elevation Models

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Digital Terrain Models

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Photogrammetry: Products (5)

c) Maps:
Maps are the most prominent product of
photogrammetry. They are produced at various
scales and degrees of accuracies.
Planimetric maps contain only the horizontal
position of ground features while topographic
maps include elevation data, usually in the form
of contour lines and spot elevations.
Thematic maps emphasize one particular
feature e.g., transportation network.
B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi
 FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Topo Map 1:25 000 Environmental Record Digital Landscape

Orthophoto 1:5000 Planning Map 3D Map

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Principle of Central Perspective Projection

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Aerial Survey Camera

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Attitude of Aerial Camera

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Theory of Photogrammetry

 
 
Where (x,y) are the refined photo-(image-) coordinates; (X,Y,Z) are the 3-D
object space coordinates; (Xo,Yo,Zo) are the perspective centre coordinates
and (,  ,  ) are the rotations about the X,Y,Z axes respectively and c is the
camera focal length.
B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi
FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Stereoscopic Vision

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

A pair of stereoscopic images

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Stereoscopic Viewers

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Concept of Stereo Parallax

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

 FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Classification of Aerial Photographs

Aerial photographs are usually classified according to the
orientation of the camera axis, the focal length of the camera,
and the type of the emulsion.

a) Orientation of camera axis

1) True vertical photographs: A photograph with the camera axis perfectly
vertical. Such photographs hardly exist in reality.
2) Near vertical photography: A photograph with the camera axis nearly
vertical. The deviation from the vertical is called tilt. It must not exceed
mechanical limitations of stereoplotter to accommodate it (i.e., less than
3 degrees).
3) Oblique photograph: A photograph with the camera axis intentionally
tilted between the vertical and horizontal. A high oblique photograph is
tilted so much that the horizon is visible on the photograph. A low oblique
does not show the horizon.

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

b) Angular coverage

The angular coverage is a function of focal length and format

size. Standard focal lengths and associated angular coverage
are summarized below.

Super- Wide- Inter- Normal- Narrow

Wide angle mediate angle angle
angle
Focal length (mm) 88 153 210 305 610

Field (degrees) 119 82 64 46 24

Photo scale 7.2 4.0 2.9 2.0 1.0

Ground coverage 50.4 15.5 8.3 3.9 1.0

B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi

 FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

c) Emulsion type
The sensitivity range of the emulsion is used to classify
photography into:
Panchromatic black and white: This is most widely used type
of emulsion for photogrammetric mapping.
Colour: Colour photography is mainly used for interpretation
purpose. Recently, colour is increasingly being used for
mapping applications.
Infrared black and white: Since infrared is less affected by
haze it is used in applications where weather conditions may
not be as favourable as for mapping missions (e.g.,
intelligence).
False colour: This is particular useful for interpretation,
mainly for analyzing vegetation (e.g., crop disease) and water
pollution.
B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi
 FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Photo Scale

The scale of a near vertical photograph

can be approximated by
c
mb 
H

Where mb is the photograph scale, c

the calibrated focal length, and H the
Flying height above mean ground
elevation.
Note that the flight height H refers
to the average ground elevation. If it
is with respect to the datum, then it is
called flying altitude H A , with Flight height, flight altitude and scale
of aerial photograph.
HA  H  h
B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi
FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Photogrammetric Project Planning

Planning for a photogrammetric project using aerial
Photographs consists of three interrelated phases, namely;
Development of a flight plan which must be followed
when taking the aerial photographs to be used in the
project
Planning the ground control and executing the
necessary field surveys to satisfy the accuracy
requirements of the project; and
Estimating the costs involved in the project.
NB: The planner must define the various project
parameters e.g., photographic scale, map scale,
derived accuracy, instruments to be used etc.
B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi
FCE 552: Engineering Survey IV Dept. of Geospatial & Space Technology

Practical Assignment
1. Orient a pair of overlapping photographs for
stereoscopic viewing.
2. On the basis of the created 3D stereomodel and
other factors perform photographic
interpretation of the area covered by the
stereo-coverage.
NB:
i) You are expected to work in groups of not more
than 3 students.
ii) Marks will be awarded in the lab in real time.
B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) University of Nairobi