letnografia

Letnografija is a term used in several Slavic language contexts to denote aerial photography and related image-based documentation captured from aircraft, balloons, or unmanned aerial systems. The word combines elements meaning flight and recording, and it is sometimes synonymous with terms such as aerial photography or aerography in local usage. The exact definitions and scope can vary by country and discipline.

The practice encompasses still photography, cinematography, and the production of data-rich imagery for analysis. Typical platforms include airplanes, helicopters, and drones, often equipped with stabilized cameras, gimbals, and high-resolution sensors. Techniques used in letnografija include vertical and oblique aerial photography, panoramic and time-lapse shoots, and photogrammetric methods to create orthophotos, 3D models, and GIS-ready data. In some contexts, letnografija emphasizes systematic data collection for mapping, surveying, or environmental monitoring, while in others it highlights documentary or artistic aims.

History and development trace the activity from early aerial photography in the first half of the 20th century, through advances in aviation and camera technology, to the widespread adoption of unmanned aerial systems in the 2010s. Today, letnografija plays a role in cartography, urban planning, heritage conservation, disaster response, agriculture, and media production. It is influenced by evolving regulations on airspace, privacy, and safety, as well as by technological advances in sensors, real-time transmission, and data processing.

Related topics include aerial photography, photogrammetry, drone technology, and geospatial imaging.