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