GROUND PHOTOGRAPHY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-01333A000300110003-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 18, 1998
• Sequence Number: 3
• Content Type: REPORT

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GROu M PV UT 0 G Q A PO \Y'
Far more information can be gained from a photograph than any indi-
vidual observer could collect, because no one man has or can have the
knowledge to grasp all phases of the situation observed. A photograph.,
on the other hand, can be subjected to detailed examination not only by
a skilled photo-intelligence officer, but also by specialists in any
number of fields, each of whom will see details not noticed by the others
A. samaras for Good Inte liigence Ground Photographs
The intelligence photograph is a far cry from a tourist snapshot;
the details that mark the difference may seem sa ll, but they are
important. For an analyst to obtain the meximum intelligence yield
from a photograph., it must fulfill several specific conditions. Three
of these are qualities inherent in the picture itself, others are in
the form of essential accompanying data.
1. Photogrephie Re uic mats
First, the print to be studied should have low to medium contrast.
Since the details that form the key to photoanalysis are frequently in
shadow areas, the interpreter needs low to moderate contrast in the
print. The light areas of the target should not be a burned-out white.,
with the shadow areas a dense and impenetrable black. Proper exposure
or even slight overexposure when the picture is taken, and possibly
slight underdevelopment, will produce the right degree of contrast.
The second requirement is the highest resolution of which camera
and film we capable. "Resolution" is the technical term for sharpness
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of image, it can be achieved by properly fate the lei, ho1di
the O eera steady when the film is exposed, aDd W? + tai & flit Obw0ft
speed (1/100th second or faster) .
The third requires t is that the print be cciiptete ?- S lsos
the full Mgative and not cropped. The analyst's ability to take
to from a photograph is frequently keyed to krionr1edgl of the
angular field of view of the la" use!.. Angular me":are is co pled
with rwage distance give true measuae nts, and the dApee of angle that
the photograph encompasses must be kso+aa. If the print has been cropped
or masked, the angular relationship will not irk out, and exact
eats practically impossible. The solution is eiaVle: print
all photophs with a little of the clear margin shoving on all four
sides. The resulting black border assures the interpreter that he is
working with the full frame.
These three requir is a fuudmantsl to good photo Interpre-
tation. They would sem to be easy to achieve, yet trasty, unsharp,
and cropped prints continue to spoil their shexe of photo phs and to
=11 M -won intelligence. With gyration and understanding
this loss can be fitly reduced, If not elim nated=
Z Essential Ace asvi Data
For mawlmum utilization of each photo Phy certain information
is necessary. The essential data should be recorded at the ti m of
each esure or as sow thereafter as possible. The types of
necessoxy information and the reasons for their importance are as
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(1) "Where was the picture taken?" Give the geographic location,
including country, province, city or town, and any other data that
can fix the exact position. "Ten rail clicks south of BSI post 14e7 on
X-Y rail line," or "3DO yards SSE of intersection of highways 330 and
N12" are acceptable additional details. Next, note the direction in
which the camera was pointed, as "North," "North-northwest," "Estimated
250 left of photographer-sun azimuth." Any of these notations is
acceptable, but the more accurate the azimuth reading (compass) the more
valuable the photo will be.
(2) Report the date, time, and time system (local or Zebra). This
enables the analyst to refer to astronomic data on sun position and gives
him a secondary method of making height determination. A time accuracy
of plus or minus 5 minutes is desirable in ground photography.
(3) Report camera make and model number; each has its own format
size and lens focal length, as well as its own inherent faults. The
importance of focal length is paramount because each focal length has a
fixed angle of view, which forms the basis for measurement computations,
as mentioned earlier. This camera data need be recorded only once
for each roll of film and target, unless more than one lens is used,
in which case, of course, the change must be noted. It should be
obvious that a system of numbering exposures and keying them to the
essential data should be carefully followed.
(Zr) Make an estimate of range to target distance and record that
estinate. Of the several methods of range estimation, the most accurate
depends on having an object of lmovn size in the target area. This
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might be a man,, a track, or a freight car. To accomplish range
determination by this method, the photographer extends his arm in
front of him at full length toward the target, holding a pencil (or
similar article ra even a blade of grass will do) in his hand, with the
point up. With the left eye.closed he aligns the pencil point with the
selected object, then quickly closed the right eye and opens the left.
The reference point will apparently have moved in relationship to the
object. He estimates the difference in position in ter-As of the object
-- for example, number of truck lengths. Assuming that the truck is
20 feet long and the difference is 4 truck lengths, 4 is multiplied by
2U end..then by 10 (eye base-arm length ratio). The result -- &)O feet
- is the range. Remarkably accurate measurements result from this
method.
(5) Finally, note . and record any unusual conditions at the scene,
such as sounds, smells, colors, or presence of smoke.
B. SkPeclal Techn1 1e B
1. The Complete Photogra. hic StUdY
To make a complete photographic study of a target requires views
from three distances -- distant views to show the entire. target and
its environs or exact positioning; medium-distance views, for recog-
al,tiou of the relationships of target components; and close-ups, for
details of st lctu e, size, and purpose of individual components.
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These three eles3e8 of views based on range can be phtW"h*d efther
by aoving progressively closer to the target or by the
telephoto, and long-telephoto lenses.
A question may arise here as to the most desirable number of ex-
posures. As a generality, there Is no such thing as too many photo-
graphs. Each different view yields some measure of information, and
this is particularly true of telephoto views, in which there are
problems. of atmospheric interference. Therefore, photograph a target
as thoroughly as time and security conditions will allow.
2. Field Calibration
Another technique is aimed at overcoming the effect of the inher-
ent imperfections in camera lenses. Each lens has its ova distortion
pattern that displaces the photographic image from its true position.
When the lens is available to the photo analyst, he has it calibrated on
an optical bench. This is not often possible, however,, but it is
possible for the photographer to provide calibration data. To do this,
he positions himself and the camera between two parallel lines, such
as the curbs of a street or, even, better, railroad tracks. With the
camera in its horizontal position and level, he makes one exposure
down the center of the street or track. Turning the camera round
to use its vertical, format, he makes a second exposure from the same
position. By means of these two photographs the optical technician
can plot the pattern of distortion and compute its effect on his
measurements.
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3. G -cloremi c Pho
The principal advantage of cycloramic photogrs by 1s that, Vhm IT
is properly done, the resulting photographs can be used as the bav1 s
for a precise map of the area shown Cyclarami.c photography consists
of making ts, series of overlapping exposures covering the full 360
degrees around two given points. The photographer takes his position
at a precisely identifiable point and makes the first exposure. Using
the view finder, he sets up the second photograph with approximately
one-third overlap with the first. This procedure is repeated until the
photographer has turned the full circle. Even though one or more
views may have no apparent intelligence value, the full circle most be
photographed..
Having exposed the first 36030 pan, the photographer moves to a
second identifiable position from which his first camera station is
visible and refits the process, exposing another 3600 circle with one-
third overlaps. The two sets of photographs (or three., if it is
feasible to take another) give complete essential data that allow the
photo trist to execute radial-line intersections to points of
interest and on this basis revise existing map coverage or compile a
neR map.
There a times whe - a single negative cannot rer a specific
area. here would be an opportunity to use "panor " - or partial
cyclorama.. Take as maay shots as are needed - each with a 3f}-
overlap.
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6. stereo hoto
Of all the tools of grid-photo reportin& s# epbo br
probably has the greatest versatility end value. et~o~q~ipr
gives the interpreter the ability to make accurate meesar U U of
depth] height, and width, and to see the view in three dfineaeicm.
The third dimemsion can be of great help in distinguishing botveea
comgpone nts of a target or several units of a similar type in proximity
to one another. ereophotographs can be made with an ordln=7 single..
lens eamera by taldng two or more pictures of the same object from two
different cans stations with the optical axis parallel. As a rough
guide, the onwra stations should be separated by 1 foot for each
100 feet range. The stereo base (camem separation distance) grit be
recorded if the photos are to be of use.
Steer iphotographs can also be made successfully from a moving
train or auto by holding the camera in the sane position and m irg
a series of exposures as rapidly as possible. The 35mm Robot (sequence
tom) emers is well suited to this work because of its semiautomatic
feed and cooking device. Stereo shots can also be taken of moving
objects,, such as aircraft or vehicles, with photographer and camera in
a fixed position.
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