250
April 2016
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING
and providing the mathematical and physical science
foundation necessary for the reader to truly understand
how photogrammetry works. This notable achievement is
important in that it will facilitate the development of future
scientists and practitioners in an age where photogrammetric
processes are increasingly becoming automated.
With the contribution of subject matter experts from around
the world, the manual contains a combination of historical
and highly technical information that gives the reader a
comprehensive understanding of a field that incorporates a
wide range of technology and applications. Many of the topics
rate a manual of their own and this book does an outstanding
job of capturing and presenting a large amount of information
in a logical manner. The book successfully uses material,
such as case examples, to illustrate applications of the
technology and is interesting in that it provides perspectives
from various geographic areas of the globe and from different
disciplines within the field. This gives the reader a true sense
of how photogrammetry influences many aspects of our lives.
Included in the book are excellent sections on close-range
photogrammetry and space applications such as mapping
the Moon and other planets which gives the reader a sense
of how far ranging the field is. Case examples of forensic
photogrammetry are provided, which is useful information to
anyone who is considering a forensics discipline or has been
asked to provide expert testimony.
When looking at the changes in the manual between the
First Edition and this one, it is clear that the content has
changed dramatically from an era when the majority of the
manual was influenced by military processes and technology.
Understandably, a strong military influence was present at
the outset of ASPRS as the military mission and national
interests were the primary drivers of advancements in
photogrammetry. As the field rapidly gained traction in
the commercial sector, this influence became less and less
evident in the manual. However, considering the importance
of photogrammetric and remote sensing technology in the
battlespace over the past ten years, the manual may currently
be understating the significance or contribution of military
technology to our field. It would be interesting to see future
editions include more comprehensive contributions from
NGA and military subject matter experts to sections of the
book, especially with case examples of how the field continues
to be an important part of supporting the warfighter and
national interests.
One chapter that will be continually evolving over the next
decade is chapter 9,
Photogrammetric Platforms
. Platforms
and technology used in space, on land, and in the air undergo
rapid transformations practically every year and the book
attempts to stay in sync with these transformations. A
recent example of this is the spread of UAS technology. The
information on UAS technology in the manual is becoming
out-of-date faster than the book can be revised. Keeping up
with technology that is changing yearly and even monthly is
a tall order but the chapter does a great job outlining these
platforms, the technology behind them, and even provides
forecasts on how these evolving platforms will be used in the
future.
The book cover is a welcome departure from the covers
of past editions. The cover illustration is a modern satellite
image of the French village of Buc with Aimé Laussedat’s
1861 topographic map of the same area (derived from his
terrestrial photography) overlaid onto the image. This is an
imaginative cover and serves as a reminder of how much the
field has evolved. The pages and cover appear to be of high
quality. After minimal use over a week however, the tail and
head bands on the spine of a new copy can begin to detach
from the binding holding the pages together. It is unclear
whether or not this is a systemic problem with this printing.
The book owner can easily add some glue for reinforcement
at these points on the spine but this problem should be noted
for future printings.
In conclusion, this edition is another excellent improvement
to the content and organization of the manual and will
continue to serve as an authoritative reference. Over the
past two editions, the editor has successfully kept the content
relevant to the current state of photogrammetry in the face
of rapid advancements in technology and applications. The
book provides readers with an understanding of the math
and physical science that photogrammetry is rooted in, while
simultaneously exposing them to information relevant to
the understanding of current and future technology. The
book remains the must-have manual for practitioners and
students alike and for those merely wishing to know more
about the art and science of photogrammetry.
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Online-Seminars.html
April 29
th
—Designing National Park Service Visitor Maps
Tom Patterson, NPS
May 27
th
—CyberGIS: Foundations and Principles
Eric Shook, Kent University
July 22
th
—Getting More From Remote Sensing Data Using
OGC Standards
George Percivall, OGC
August 5
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—Aqueduct Global Flood Analyzer – A Web Tool
To Estimate Global Flood Risks For Current and Future
Scenarios
Tianyi Luo, WRI
GeoBytes!
ASPRS GIS D
ivision
— F
ree
O
nline
S
eminars
The ASPRS GIS Division, in cooperation with CaGIS and GLIS,
is sponsoring free online live seminars throughout the year.
Attention those seeking ASPRS Certification: ASPRS Online
Seminars are a great way to gain Professional Development Hours!
