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Photogrammetry: A Brief Historical Overview

Preprint · November 2022

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.27518.87369

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 Photogrammetry: A Brief Historical Overview

Wahib Saif
Construction Engineering & Management Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and
Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia; E-mail: g201472180@kfupm.edu.sa

1. Definition

Photogrammetry etymologically is made up of the following three Greek words; Photos

(φωτοζ ): which means ‘Light’, Graphein ( γραμμα ) which means ‘Write’ or ‘Draw’, and
Metron ( μετρον ): which means ‘Measure’ and altogether means to measure from
photographs. Photogrammetry has been defined by the American Society of Photogrammetry
and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) as “the science, art, and techniques of obtaining reliable
information about physical objects and the environment through a process of recording,
measuring, and interpreting aerial and terrestrial photographs” (Manual of Photogrammetry,
4th Ed. ASPRS,1980). Nevertheless, this traditional definition is general and does not account
for the remarkable advancement in the field. The definition of photogrammetry has been
changing over its history as a result of science and technology development. Nowadays, with
the availability of various innovations and technologies (e.g., advanced software, high-
resolution cameras, smartphones, and automated drones), many researchers referred to
photogrammetry as image-based reconstruction or image-based modeling which can simply
be defined as the workflow of creating 3D models (output) of an object from its 2D images
(input). Photogrammetry can be thought of as the inverse process of photography.
Photogrammetry can be utilized to obtain the profiles of an object, estimate its geometric
properties (e.g., length, area, and volume), and monitor the object's state over time (e.g., its
orientation, its relative location with other objects, and its geometrical change).

2. Historical Overview

Photogrammetry as a science is as old as photography itself. They both developed around

the middle of the 19th century (Ebert, 2015). However, photogrammetry has developed
dramatically since then. It has evolved from a purely analog into an optical-mechanical
technique to mathematical-based-analytical methods which then finally developed into
softcopy photogrammetry (i.e., digital 3D models) (Center of photogrammetric Training,
2008). (Konecny, 1985) recognized that the historical evolution of photogrammetry has
followed different development cycles and each cycle represents a historical period that
extended about 50 years. He developed these cycles based upon the economic theory of
Kondratjew (Center of photogrammetric Training, 2008), meaning, that each cycle was
attributed to a prior invention that advanced photogrammetry from one phase to another.
Here are the four phases of photogrammetry:

1
 1. Plane table photogrammetry [1850-1900] was an extension of traditional plane table
surveying (Konecny, 1985). “The exposed photos were oriented on the plane table
and the directions to the different objects were transferred onto the map sheets.

2. Analog “Classical” Photogrammetry [1900-1960] is the phase of photogrammetry

that utilized mechanical and/or optical methods to extract information from analog
photographs based on reconstructing the camera's positions. Analog photographs
are those taken by film-based cameras. This cycle of photogrammetry took
advantage of the development of airplanes in 1903 by the Wright brothers. Airplane
offered a better camera platform compared with a terrestrial camera which
provided the ability to take aerial photographs that can be utilized for mapping
purposes (Center of photogrammetric Training, 2008)

3. Analytical Photogrammetry [1960-2000] involves the same process as analog

photogrammetry. However, the reconstruction process is not done mechanically,
rather it is performed mathematically using computers. Therefore, the significant
advancement in photogrammetric development in that period is attributed to
computer invention.
4. Digital Photogrammetry [2000-Present] this is the current phase of
photogrammetry that applies almost the same mathematical principles as analytical
photogrammetry. However, it processes digital photographs instead of film
photographs. Nowadays, advanced technologies and innovations are being used in
digital photogrammetry (e.g., automated drones, high-resolution cameras, and
smartphones). These innovations along with powerful photogrammetric software
provide digital photogrammetry with the ability to reconstruct 3D models of an
object from its digital images easily and accurately with high quality.

These phases are further illustrated in Figure 1 along with their prior main inventions that
result in a phase change. Along with the development history of photogrammetry, several
geodesists, physicists, surveyors, photographers, and software engineers have contributed to
the development process of the science and art of photogrammetry. The author developed a
comprehensive timeline that involves the main contributions and innovations in the history
of photogrammetry extending from the early 19th century to the present. The timeline is
provided in Figure 2.

2
 Figure 1. Photogrammetry development timeline

3. Classifications of Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry can be classified into three main categories depending on the

distance between the position of the captured device and the object of interest at the
time of acquiring images. Table 1 provides these three types along with their
respective capturing devices, scaling methods, and examples of their applications.

Table 1. Photogrammetry Classifications

Devices/
Classification Range Scale Method Application Examples
Equipment
Objects 3D Modeling
Close-range Smartphones Measurements
R < 200 m Scale bars
“Terrestrial” Digital Cameras Extraction
Horizontal between targets’
Photogrammetry Photo- Heritage documentation
Range pairs
Theodolites Archaeology
documentation

Camera- Spatial Information

Aerial R < 120 m
Ground control Land
Photogrammetry mounted drones
Vertical Range points Surveying/Mapping
or aircraft
Scan to BIM
Orbital Global
Satellite-borne Earth and other Planets
Photogrammetry – navigation
cameras modeling and mapping
satellite system

3
 1480 1825 1837

The first photograph was obtained

“
Jacques Mandé Daguerre obtained
“

“The concepts of photogrammetry by Joseph Nicephone Niépce . ”

the first "practical" photograph using
go back into history; earlier than a process called the Daguerreotype ”

the invention of photography

itself. That is when Leonardo da
Vinci developed the
concepts of perspective and
projective geometry .
”

1858 1849 1840

Nadar (Gaspard Felix Tournachon) used
“

Aimé Laussedat was the first

“
The first use of photogrammetry
“

a balloon at 80- meters to obtain the first person to use terrestrial was by the French geodesist
aerial photograph of Petit-Becetre . ”
photographs for topographic Dominique François Arago
map compilation. He is using Daguerreotype. ”

referred to as the "Father of

Photogrammetry". ”

1893 1896 1901

“Dr. Albrecht Meydenbauer “Canadian Surveyor general German physicist Carl Pulfrish
“

was the first person to use the Eduardo Deville created designed the first photogram-
term "Photogrammetry". He the stereo-planigraph, that is metric instrument.
”

founded the Royal Prussian the first stereoscopic-plotting

Photogrammetric Institute and instrument”
served as its director until
1909. He is known for his
architectural surveys using
photogrammetry”

4
 1910 1908 1903 *
“The first aerial photography captured “ Airplane invented by Wright brothers.
”

ISPRS “the international society

“
from a plane for mapping purposes was
of photogrammetry and remote done by Italian Captain Cesare Tardi-vo”
sensing” was founded 1910. It is
the oldest international umbrella
organization in the field of
obtaining “Data from imagery”. ”

1914 1924 1926

“Sherman Mills Fairchild “Surveyor Reinhard Hugershoff
create mosaic of Manhattan develop among many other
“American Brock brothers develop
Island with over 100 aerial devices the aerocartograph
the first aerial camera that was which gave the photogram-
photos. He played a very
mounted in the plane instead of a man important role in developing metrist the ability to perform
holding the camera over the side. In specialized aircraft for high analog aerotriangulation”
1915, British Armed Forces utilized altitude aerial survey missions”
aerial imagery to capture more than
1500 sky view maps “Aerial mapping”
of the German trench fortifications ”

1963 1957 1945 *

Lawrence Roberts, now known
“

Uno Vilho Helava developed first

“ The first digital computer,
“

as the father of computer vision, analytical plotter. He played an named The Electronic Numerical
submits his PhD thesis important role in the development of Integrator & Computer “The
“Machine Perception of Three digital photogrammetric workstations. ”
ENIAC” was built. ”

Dimensional Solids,” at MIT. ”

5
 1982 1985 1990
Marc Levoy & Turner Whitted submits
ISPRS Symposium in Zurich “Close
“

paper “The Use of Points as a Display

“

John Walker founded Autodesk Range Photogrammetry Meets

Primitive,” introducing point cloud data
“ ”

Computer Vision”
”

2004 1999 1998

Initial release of ArcGIS by Vice President Al Gore gives the
Google acquired Keyhole Earth
“

ESRI, that is a Geographical Digital Earth Speech at the

Viewer, which was initially
Information System (GIS) for California Science Center Jan 31st
launched in 2000, and google
”

working with maps and

itself launched Google Earth. ”

geographic data”

2010 - Present
2006 2010
In last decade, photogrammetry has been used for
“

DJI, “Da-Jiang Innovations” the

“

various applications such as, heritage and

world leader in aerial Initial Release of the Point
“

Cloud Library March 2010 archeological documentation, mapping, data

photography systems was ”

collection, modeling, geometrical measurements, and

Founded. In the same year, The
FAA issued the initial commercial others. Many software and algorithms are being
drone permit. ”
developed with excellent ability to create 3-D models
form images that are taken by any device, even
smartphones. Drones are becoming fully automated
with high speed, longer range and height. ”

Figure 2. The major innovations contributed to the development of photogrammetry extending from the early 19th century to the present. A resource link is
provided within the year of each event for more details about its corresponding innovation.
6
1. References

Ebert, J. I. (2015). Photogrammetry, Photointerpretation, and Digital Imaging and Mapping in

Environmental Forensics. Introduction to Environmental Forensics: Third Edition, 39–64.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-404696-2.00003-5

Konecny, G. (1985). The International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing-75 Years Old,
or 75 Years Young. Photogramm Eng Rem S, 51(7), 919–933.

Adams, L.P., 1975. “Henry Georges Fourcade”, Photogrammetric Record, 8(45): 287-296.

Albota, M.G., 1976. "Short Chronological History of Photogrammetry", Proceedings of XIII Congress of the
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Anon, 2003. “Obituary – Gilbert Louis Hobrough”, The Photogrammetric Record, 18(104):337-340.

Atkinson, K.B., 1980. “Vivian Thompson (1880-1917): Not Only an Officer of the Royal Engineers”,
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923-936.

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Lawrence, C. and R.Powell, 1968. "Map compilation with orthophotography", Proceedings of ACSM 28th
annual meeting, Washington, D.C., March 10- 15, pp 253-264.

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XIX, Leipzig: Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, pp. 183-200.

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Remote Sensing, 71(6):682-684.

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7
 Tubis, H., 1976. "The Brock Brothers and the Brock Process", Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote
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Photogrammetry, Falls Church, VA.

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Remote Sensing, 67(7): 811-815

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