The photo interpretation picture in 1960

Abstract

This paper first attempts to describe the most significant developments in photo interpretation that have taken place since the Commission on Photo Interpretation of the International Society for Photogrammetry was founded in 1952. Among these developments are the following: 1. The field encompassed by photo interpretation has become much more clearly defined; 2. The first definitive book on photo interpretation has been prepared and is soon to be published under the title “Manual of Photographic Interpretation”; 3. The importance of photo interpretation as an aid in discovering and evaluating natural resources has been officially recognized at the highest levels; 4. A rational view regarding the merits and limitations of photographic interpretation keys is gradually emerging; 5. Photo interpretation is invading several fields in which it was relatively unknown until recently; 6. The importance of terrestrial photo interpretation is rapidly increasing; 7. The value of multiband spectral reconnaissance is gradually being recognized; 8. Valuable means for enhancing the quality of photographic images have recently been developed and 9. There is an increased interest in the use of very low-altitude, large scale photography for making detailed interpretations. The paper then considers some of the current needs in photo interpretation. The following specific needs are mentioned: 1. Much research is still needed in relation to the human factors in photo interpretation; 2. Photo interpreters need better to appreciate the value of special-purpose photography; 3. Photo interpreters should better understand how displacements and distortions can affect the appearance of aerial photographic images; 4. Photo interpreters should better understand how to make measurements on aerial photographs; and 5. Photo interpreters should learn to use to maximum advantage the pertinent information available to them from other fields of study. In the light of this discussion the paper concludes with an attempt to assess the progress that has been made in photo interpretation since the founding of Commission VII eight years ago, and with a consideration of the prospects for even greater progress during the four year period immediately ahead of us before the convening of the Tenth World Congress of the International Society for Photogrammetry.