Photogrammetry for everybody

Abstract

Both the need for the recording of cultural heritage and the state-of-the-art of photogrammetric techniques and instruments constitute a challenge for the CIPA in the attempt to promote the extended use of photogrammetry for cultural heritage purposes. The use of photogrammetry is no longer a matter of high cost investments, nor is it necessary to have knowledge of sophisticated techniques. Analytical photogrammetry has greatly reduced operating difficulties. Digital photogrammetry is reducing the cost of the equipment and increasing the possibilities of application of photogrammetry in the field of documentation of monuments and other cultural heritage. In our opinion, a more wide-spread use of photogrammetry may be achieved by teaching and promoting its user possibilities among professionals working on cultural heritage preservation. The use of photogrammetric software is not more complicated than the use of CAD software. On the contrary, it is even less complicated. If CAD is used today in most of the offices of architects and other professionals, why can not photogrammetric software based on simple equipment and simple currently existing methods be more widely used? The problem is thus how to promote the idea of the need for the use of photogrammetry and how to teach about the uses of this technique. A more wide-spread use of photogrammetric software will, undoubtedly, promote a reduction in its costs.