Aerial photographic and satellite image interpretation

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(Redirected from Image interpretation)

"Aerial photograph interpretation" redirects here. For geological use, see Aerial photograph
interpretation (geology).

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Photo interpretation at the U.S. National Photographic Interpretation Center during the Cuban
Missile Crisis.

Aerial photographic and satellite image interpretation, or just image interpretation when in context,
is the act of examining photographic images, particularly airborne and spaceborne, to identify
objects and judging their significance.[1] This is commonly used in military aerial reconnaissance,
using photographs taken from reconnaissance aircraft and reconnaissance satellites.

The principles of image interpretation have been developed empirically for more than 150 years.
The most basic are the elements of image interpretation: location, size, shape, shadow, tone/color,
texture, pattern, height/depth and site/situation/association. They are routinely used when
interpreting aerial photos and analyzing photo-like images. An experienced image interpreter uses
many of these elements intuitively. However, a beginner may not only have to consciously evaluate
an unknown object according to these elements, but also analyze each element's significance in
relation to the image's other objects and phenomena.

Angle of view

Vertical imagery and photographs

Vertical aerial photographs represent more than 95% of all captured aerial images.[2] The principles
of capturing vertical photographs are shown in Figure 2.[3][4] Two major axes which originate from
the camera lens are included.[3] One is the vertical axis which is always at 90° to the study area.[3]
Another one is the camera axis which changes with the angle of the camera.[3] To capture a vertical
aerial photograph, both of these axes must be in the same position.[3] The vertical pictures are
captured by the camera which is above the object being photographed without any tilting or
deviation of the camera axis.[5] Areas in a vertical aerial photograph often have a consistent size.[4]

Figure 2: The principle of vertical aerial photography.[3][4]

Oblique aerial photographs

Oblique aerial photographs are captured when the cameras are set at specific angles to the land.[5]
It is a very helpful enhancement or addition to the traditional vertical image.[2] It allows the vision to
pass through a relatively high proportion of the plant cover and leaves of trees.[2] Oblique aerial
photographs can be classified into two types.

Low oblique

Low oblique aerial photographs are generated when the camera axis has a 15–30° angle difference
from the vertical axis, shown in figure 3.[3] The horizon, the dividing border between planet and
atmosphere from a viewing angle,[6] is unobservable in a low oblique aerial photograph.[5] The
length between two points is unable to be calculated and is not accurate because a low oblique
image does not have a scale. The orientation of objects is also inaccurate.[5] Low oblique
photographs can be used as a reference before site investigation because they give updated details
of local places.[3][4]

Figure 3: The principle of low oblique aerial photography[3][4]

High oblique

High oblique aerial photographs are generated when the camera axis has a 60° angle difference from
the vertical axis, shown in figure 4.[3] In this case, the horizon is observable.[5] This type of
photograph captures a fairly sizable region.[5] As in a low oblique photograph, the length between
two points and the orientation of objects are inaccurate.[5] High oblique aerial photographs are
widely used in assisting field investigation because the line of sight shown is more similar to humans.
[3] Features and structures can be easily recognized.[4] However, landscapes, buildings and
hillslopes that are blocked by the mountainous areas are not visible.[4]

Figure 4: The principle of high oblique aerial photography.[3][4]

Color and false color

Black and white

Black and white aerial photographs are frequently used for drawing maps, such as topographic
maps.[5] Topographic maps are precise, in-depth descriptions of the terrain characteristics found in
the areas or regions.[7] Black and white aerial photography is capable of producing good-quality
images under poor weather conditions, such as foggy and misty air.[2]

Color

Color aerial photographs preserve and capture the colors of the original objects through the
numerous layers inside the film.[8] Color photographs can be used to distinguish different kinds of
soils, rocks, and deposits that are located above the rock layers, and some contaminated water
sources.[5] The degradation of trees driven by