Aerial photography is a technique of photographing the Earths surface or features of its atmosphere or hydrosphere with cameras mounted on aircraft, rockets, or Earth-orbiting satellites and other spacecraft. It is a type of photography in which images are captured from the air, and it can be categorized as either oblique or vertical images, taken from a light aircraft flying at low altitudes. Aerial photography can be used for a wide range of purposes, including commercial, scientific, and recreational applications. Some of the key uses of aerial photography in geography include:

• Topographical mapping: Aerial photographs are used in topographical mapping and interpretation. Photogrammetry is the science and technology of making reliable measurements from aerial photographs, and it facilitates precise measurements related to the length, area, and volume of objects.

• Environmental studies: Aerial photography can be used for scientific purposes, such as tracking the spread of wildfires, measuring how much water has been absorbed into the ground from rainfall, and studying climate change.

• Archaeology: Aerial photography has been used in the field of archaeology to identify archaeological features, including water features, within walled sites.

• Land-use planning: Aerial photography can be used to determine land use, plant growth, soil conditions, or erosion patterns, which is useful for natural resource management and land-use planning.

• Movie production: Oblique aerial photography is used for movie production, particularly for capturing spectacular views of landscapes and urban sprawl.

• Commercial applications: Commercial uses of aerial photography span many fields such as agriculture, construction, and natural resource management. This usually involves airborne surveys or imaging to determine land use, plant growth, soil conditions, or erosion patterns.

Aerial photography provides a bird’s eye view of large areas, enabling us to see features of the Earths surface in their spatial context. It is an indispensable tool in the topographical mapping and interpretation of the images of the objects.