AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

An aerial photograph is a photograph taken from a point in the air. Generally aerial
photographs are taken in a straight run with each photograph overlapping the adjacent
photographs by 60%. There is a 30% overlap between each run. Because the same
ground surface has been photographed from two different positions in air, it is possible
to view the photographs stereoscopically by means of an instrument known as
stereoscope. The ground surface and the topographic features then appear in three
dimensions with a sense of depth perception. Two such adjacent aerial photographs
are known as stereopair.

Forward overlap is the area common to two adjacent photographs acquired along the
same flight path expressed as the percentage of the photograph. Sidelap is the area
common to two images acquired on the adjacent flight line expressed as the
percentage of the photographs.

The significant use of aerial photographs lies in photogrammetric work, i.e. in

construction of correct planimetric maps and topo-maps involving measurements of
correct horizontal distances, true angular relationships and determination of correct
elevation differences. In photogeological work, quantitative measurements involve
determination of ground slope, dip of beds, direction of strike of beds or linear
features, orientation of faults, fractures, joints, dykes, determination of thickness of
beds and finally preparation of a photogeological map.
Most of the photography is usually done on 1:30000 to 1:60000 scale on conventional
black and white panchromatic film. Usually optimum scales for geological photo-
interpretation are 1:25000 to 1:40000. For regional geological surveys small scales
photograph of 1:60000 or even smaller than that are found to be more suitable. In
aerial photography for more specific and detailed investigations such as geotechnical
studies, mineral exploration, ground water surveys, land-use planning and town
planning, large scale photographs on photo scales of approximately 1:50000 to
1:10000 are most favourable. In such aerial photography low speed aeroplanes are
used (200-350 km/hr) and flying altitude is not more than 8000-10000m (22000-
27000 ft). Low flying speed and heights are one of the most important aspects in
obtaining sufficiently large scale photographs with sharp images of objects.

The quality and usefulness of photographs depend, besides flight and weather
conditions, on the camera lens, film, developing and photo printing processes. The
photographs should be as vertical as possible and free from the elements of tilt and tip.
Drift and crab are other elements which produce defects in aerial photography.

Tilt and Tip: Tilt is an angle produced by the rotation of aerial camera about the flight
line (vertical axis). Tip is the angle produced by the rotation of aerial camera about the
horizontal axis which is perpendicular to the flight line. T is also called swing.

Drift and Crab: In an ideal aerial survey it is intended to take a flight in a straight
line to complete a run parallel to the adjacent run. At high altitudes strong wind
currents, called side winds, influence the aeroplane in maintaining the pre-determined
direction and straightness of run. If no correction is made by the pilot, the flight path
shall deviate from its original flight line in the direction of wind. This is known as
drift.

An uncorrected drift will give a displaced pattern of photographs in which the

subsequent photograph covers more than area in the direction of prevailing wind at the
time of photography. To maintain the pre-determined direction of flight, the nose of
the aeroplane has to be turned slightly against the wind direction. This makes the
aeroplane to rotate on its vertical axis. In this side-wind correction, the original flight
path is maintained but the aerial coverage is much different than originally planned,
i.e. the aerial coverage by each photograph is rotated in the direction opposite to the
wind direction. This defect in aerial photography is known as crab. An element of drift
and crab finally results in reduced stereoscopic coverage in the overlap and sidelap.
Dead ground

Dead ground is an area contained in an aerial photograph which cannot be mapped

due to their being falling in a perspective shadow zone. This becomes quite
pronounced in areas of steep hills and valleys and very tall buildings etc.