Aerial photography

1. Aerial photography definition

The process of taking photographs of the earth’s surface from an elevated position with aircrafts, drones or satellites.

2. What are aerial photography images used for in geography

Study landfroms, human settlements, vegetation and changes in the environment overtime

3. Value of aerial photography / importance

Provide a view of large / small areas allowing geographers to analyse patternsm relationships and spatial distubutions that aren’t easily visible from the ground. They help with mapping, urrban planning, disaster management, agriculture and environmental moniroting (changes in the environemt)

4. Limitations of aerial photography

Weather conditions (clouds/rain) can affect the quality of images, can be difficult to interpret features without additional data and the cost of captuing and processeing can be high.

5. Elements used for analysing aerial photographs

Tone, texture, shape, pattern

6. (Elements used for analysing aerial photographs) Tone

Refers to the lightness / darkerness of areas in an image, can indicate information. Depends on the altitude of the sun and amount of light reflected by an object.

7. (Elements used for analysing aerial photographs) Texture

Describes how rough or smooth a surface appears to be in the photo.

8. (Elements used for analysing aerial photographs) Shape

Refers to the outline / form of an object. Can help distinguish between man made or human features

9. (Elements used for analysing aerial photographs) Pattern

Refers to the arrangement or repetetion of hsapes across an area

10. Sun sets

West

11. Sun rise

East

12. Types of aerial photgraphs

Vertical aerial, Low oblique aerial, High oblique aerial

13. (Types of aerial photographs) Vertical aerial photograph angle

Taken with the camera pointing straight down at the ground

14. (Types of aerial photographs) Vertical aerial photographs use

Look like maps and are useful for measuring distances, mapping land use and studying patterns on the earth’s surface. Minimal distortion and are typically used in geographic and environmental studies

15. (Types of aerial photographs) Low oblique aerial photographs angle

Taken at a slight angle so the horizon is NOT VISIBLE

16. (Types of aerial photographs) Low oblique aerial photographs use

Useful for visual interpretation (No horizon, shows the sides of buildings and landfrom) and understanding the shape, structure and height of features. Can also be used to see the time of day with shadows.

17. (Types of aerial photographs) High oblique aerial photograps angle

Steep angle and the HORIZON IS VISIBLE

18. (Types of aerial photographs) High oblique aerial photographs use

Tourism, advertising and general landscape observations (cover a larger area, provide a dramatic persepctive of the landscape)

19. Characteristics that can be used for interpretation

Shadows, Shapes, Size

20. Midday

NO SHADOW

21. Geometric shapes

Man made objects

22. Irregular / organic shapes

Natural features

23. (Interpretation - using tone) Surfaces

Irregular surfaces - darker, smooth surfaces - lighter (Smoot surfaces reflect light, irregular surfaces absorb light)

24. (Interpretation - using tone) Water

Clear water - darker, muddy water / moving water - lighter (light penetrates clear water, reflects off muddy water)

25. (Interpretation - using tone) Ground

Wet ground (saturated by water) - darker, dry ground - lighter (Wet ground absorbs more light)

26. (Interpretation - using texture) Orchards and vineyards

Checker board texture. Fruit orchards - coarse texture. Vineyards - finer texture and look striped

27. UAV

Unmanned aerial vehicles aka drones

28. Why are drones useful

Cost effective, easy to operate and can access areas that are difficult or dangerous to reach

29. Use of drones

Capture aerial imagery and allow geographers, scientists and planners to take high resolution photographs and videos from above without needing helicopters or aeroplanes

30. Advantages of drones

Capture real time data, helps with monitoring natural disasters, tracking environmental changes, managing agricultural land and planning urban development. Drones can fly at low altitudes and capture detailed images of small areas (Local surveys and inspections)

31. Limitations of drones

Affected by weather conditions like wind or rain, limited battery life and flight range, legal restrictions on where drones can be flown.