EVALUATION, COLOR AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP92B01090R002600020012-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 10, 2000
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: August 3, 1959
• Content Type: MF

Approved For ReleasT 2(1&Ei16:1A-
01090R002600020012-5
TCS- 5'636/59
Copya, _oP copies
august 1959
-MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, PIC
THROUGH: Chief, Technical Intelligence Services Div.
SUBJECTS Evaluation, Color Aerial Photography
1. The following evaluation of aerial films
represents the observations and conclusions resulting
from a non-technical inspection of the film exposed
during 'Red .DOT' missions 43, 44, and 45. (Rolls 1-3:
4--6, and 7-9 respectively)
a. Rolls I and 4 appear to be color negatives
and would consequently pose a major problem in
interpretation for the analyst would need a
facility for the mental reversal of the hues and
chroma as .imaged. Comparisons of resolution between
these films and blacK and white negative rolls 3 and
6, show a considerably lower resolution in the color
negatives.
b. Rolls 2, 5, 7, and 8 are color positives
and when evaluated in comparison with the companion
blacK and white negatives lead to the following
observations.
(1) High contrast resolution of the color
positives is approximately 15% lower than that of
the black and white negatives.
(2) The discernibleness of low contrast
density changes is less on the color positives
than on the black and white negatives.
(3) The apparent grain structure of the
color positives is larger and more evident than
that of the black and white negatives.
(4) As might be deduced from the foregoing
three observations, object image edges are less
clearly defined on the color film.
HANDLE VIA TALENT
CONTROL .5,~rSlEM ONLY
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Approved For Release 2 10 b7 ":~ RD 2B8+1090R002600020012-5
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SUBJECT: Evaluation, Color Aerial Photography
(5) Color films suffer variations of
color presentation within individual frames
(color blotching and streaking), and further
show overall color differences as a probable
function of time lapse with its attendant
changes in light temperature.
(6) Some gain in information was derived
from the color film when that information was
presented as an object color.
much~ color f failed
to yield as
information as the black and white film
when the recognition of small objects was the
necessary key to identification.
(8) For extracting intelligence information
from the color films examined, the best results
were obtained with the E1TE-2 emulsion and an
HF 3 filter.
c. Conclusions:
(1) Color film proved to be inferior to
black and white film in resolution, grain, and
the presentation of discreet tonal differences.
(2) Color film is capable of yielding
considerable useful information, particularly
when that information is best demonstrated
through object hue rather than the customary
size, shape, tone, and shadow identifiers.
(3) The use of color film could add to the
intelligence yield of aerial photography if color
were used as a source of supplementary coverage
to the higher acuity black and white film.
25X1A
Chief, Operations Support Branch
Approved For ReleasA RDP9 eRN90R002600020012-5
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