NCIDQ IDFX Practice Exam

What technology corrects aerial photographs for uniform displayed distances?

1. Rectified photography

2. Orthophotography

3. Stereophotogrammetry

4. Laser scanning

The correct answer is: Orthophotography

The technology that corrects aerial photographs for uniform displayed distances is orthophotography. This process involves the transformation of aerial images into orthophotos, which are geometrically rectified photographs that maintain uniform scale across the entire image. Unlike standard aerial photographs, which can be distorted due to camera tilt, terrain variations, and other factors, orthophotos provide a true-to-scale representation of the earth’s surface. This accuracy makes them invaluable for uses in mapping, urban planning, and geographic information systems (GIS). Orthophotographs are created by correcting the perspective in aerial images and removing any distortion caused by altitude changes and camera angles. As a result, they can be used reliably as a base layer in mapping applications and integrated with other data sources for comprehensive analysis. In contrast, options like rectified photography may improve the image quality but do not guarantee consistency in scale across the entire image. Stereophotogrammetry refers to the process of obtaining three-dimensional measurements from two-dimensional images, while laser scanning involves using laser technology to capture accurate 3D models of environments, which does not specifically relate to correcting distances in aerial photography.