luftfotos

Luftfotos, or aerial photographs, are images of the Earth's surface captured from an aircraft or other aerial platform for mapping, surveying, and documentation. They are typically taken with cameras mounted on airplanes, helicopters, drones, or balloons and can be directed nadir or oblique to capture terrain and structures.

Historically, aerial photography began with balloons in the 19th century and matured with piloted aircraft and photogrammetry in the 20th. The rise of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the 2000s greatly expanded the availability of high-resolution Luftfotos for diverse applications.

Techniques involve careful flight planning, altitude control, and sufficient image overlap to enable measurements and 3D interpretation. Stereo pairs and photogrammetric processing produce maps, digital elevation models, and orthophotos, which are geometrically corrected to a uniform scale. Images are commonly georeferenced using ground control points or GPS data.

Applications include cartography, urban planning, agriculture, forestry, environmental monitoring, archaeology, disaster response, and cultural heritage documentation. Luftfotos are also used in journalism, real estate, and tourism.

Data handling involves metadata, processing software, and file formats suitable for GIS. Regulations concerning airspace, privacy, and safety govern data collection, and projects typically require permissions and ethical considerations for capturing people and private property.

Limitations include weather, lighting, and shadows that affect quality, as well as distortions and the need for calibration to achieve accurate measurements.