Question

Which factors affect the quality of aerial photos?

Hint:

Plan flights under clear skies with good equipment for best image quality.

Answer 1

Several factors influence the overall quality and clarity of aerial photographs.
One major factor is weather conditions — clouds, haze, fog, or excessive sunlight can cause shadows or reduce visibility, leading to unclear images.
Altitude of the aircraft also affects image resolution: higher altitudes cover larger areas but may reduce detail, while lower altitudes provide finer resolution but smaller coverage.
Camera and sensor quality play an important role — high-resolution cameras with precise lenses produce sharper, distortion-free images.
Flight stability and speed are critical too; any vibration, tilt, or sudden movement of the aircraft can cause image blur or displacement.
Additionally, time of day affects light conditions — mid-morning or late afternoon flights are often preferred to avoid harsh shadows.
Finally, film or digital sensor calibration ensures accurate color and tone reproduction.
Together, these factors determine the usefulness and interpretability of aerial photos for mapping and analysis.