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Implement Photogrammetry in Commercial Diving & ROV Operations: A Resource Guide (Page 1 of 3)
Photogrammetry is the science and technique of obtaining reliable measurements and three-dimensional information about physical objects and environments by compiling and analyzing multiple photographs or digital images. This process creates detailed 3D models, maps, and digital representations that can be explored interactively and zoomed in to examine fine details from various perspectives. This is achieved by capturing multiple overlapping images of an object or scene from different angles, then analyzing them with software to identify common points and, using triangulation, calculate the precise positions of those points in 3D space. According to the paper "On Laussedat's contribution to the emergence of photogrammetry" by L. Polidori, the foundational principles of this technology trace back to the mid-19th century, when French inventor Aimé Laussedat developed a method for creating accurate topographic surveys he called "metrophotography," using photographic images and specialized instruments he devised, and German Albrecht Meydenbauer, who independently designed specialized cameras for measuring building facades from photos during the same period. The idea was then adopted by geologists and militaries who further developed it during the First and Second World Wars.
Albrecht Meydenbauer
Aimé Laussedat
Aerial camera developed for spot and mapping shots during the 1st World War.
Photogrammetry transitioned to software-assisted processes in the 1960s with analytical methods using computers for calculations, evolving into digital software by the 1980s-1990s that enabled automated 3D model generation from images. Underwater photogrammetry applies the principles outlined above and has proven effective for representing submerged objects, structures, or seafloor terrain that cannot be fully seen, since many targets lie in darkness, and photographing underwater is challenged by environmental constraints such as reduced visibility compared to air, light absorption and scattering, refraction phenomena, turbidity, and the need to protect cameras in specific housings, which compromise their performance compared to air conditions. The slideshow below, from a publicly released video by LA Survey AB, a company founded by Linus Andersson and headquartered at Skogsviksvägen 52B, 423 61 Torslanda, Västra Götaland, Sweden (contact: linus@la-survey.se - https://www.linkedin.com/company/la-survey-ab/), shows the advantages this technology offers. (Please click the picture to view the slideshow).
While archeologists commonly use this technology, it is still underappreciated by most commercial diving and ROV companies, despite its advantages, and that most companies possess the equipment (high-resolution cameras, observation ROV, efficient deployment systems, etc.), in addition to personnel accustomed to performing inspections, to implement this technology quickly and successfully. The only challenges are acquiring computers and software, and adequately training the diving and ROV teams planned to be involved. So, it could be implemented by following a road map, such as the one below: - Identify when this technology can be used. - Identify the equipment needed. - Identify the required training. - Elaborate operating procedures. - Implement the commercial approach. As with the previous articles in this section, this presentation does not provide implementation guidelines for this technology. Instead, it offers resources and directories to help readers evaluate the technology's advantages and potential markets, identify appropriate software, and locate training providers. In other words: - Articles and studies by system designers and users. - A list of relevant digital applications. - A directory of institutions providing training. - A list of websites promoting photogrammetry. - Videos and animations, including process presentations, project showcases, and online courses. Note that equipment such as cameras and ROVs is not covered here for the reasons mentioned above.
While literature on photogrammetry was long kept confidential by militaries and a few organizations, it began to grow exponentially with the development of digital cameras, personal computers, and software based on general-purpose operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS), making this technology accessible at reasonable costs. The articles below belong to categories such as archeology, environmental studies, visual inspection, and mapping. However, because the implementation procedure is similar across work categories, they have been classified chronologically from 2015 to the end of 2025.
Articles and studies by system designers and users
12 - Editorial for Special Issue: Recent Developments in Multi-Media and Underwater Photogrammetry - Published by Springer nature
32 - Bridging Disciplines with Photogrammetry: A Coastal Exploration Approach for 3D Mapping and Underwater Positioning - Published by MDPI - Remote sensing
37 - Underwater Digital Twin of Yuba Island: Mapping a Large-Scale Marine Ecosystem through Photogrammetry and 3D Modeling - Published by the International Journal on Advanced Science Engineering Information Technology
40 - Bridging Photogrammetry and GIS Through Workflow Automation: A Scalable Approach for Spatially-Linked 3D Data in Underwater Cultural Heritage - Published by the International Journal on Advanced Science Engineering Information Technology
Continued on the next page.
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