Low Cost Amateur Aerial Pictures with Balloon and Digital Camera - Advantages and Limitations

The production of ortho-photos is cost efficient, Production of ortho-fotos can be done independently by purchasing its own equipment, The resolution of the pictures can be determined by the technical resolution of the camera and the altitude of the balloon (up to 1000 m above the ground), The production of ortho photos can be done repeatedly on an individual scheldule (compared to aerial photography done by a private company), without tremendous costs (e.g. for ground monitoring), Specially modified cameras (without infrared filter) can also show infrared reflections for a more detailed analysis of vegetation.

This methodology is not appropriate for surveying, land titling and cadastral applications below 1 m accuracy level, Areas with permanent winds or cloud coverage can not be covered, The rectification of made photos requires correctly rectified map material (e.g. for rubbersheeting), Mountainous areas are not accessible and the result will be more likely to have less accuracy, Starting of a balloon might require a permission from national avation authorities, Electric power lines might interfere with the strings for positioning a balloon, Technical Expertise is required for the “rubber sheeting” of not rectified pictures.