E 
Photogrammetry and the 
Photography of Motion” 
JOHN H. WADDELL, F.R.P.S, 
Marketing Manager of Photographic Instrumentation, 
Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation, 
Jamaica, New York 
INTRODUCTION 
qe object of this paper is to emphasize the broadening of photogrammetry 
into the fields of high speed and time lapse photography. 
The word, ''Photogrammetry"' has long been associated with aerial mapping. 
It is true that many of the measurements made from aerial photographs are 
from ‘‘still’”’ pictures, where size of subject, distance between points and ele- 
vation have been the prime objectives. In fact, Webster's Dictionary (Merriam, 
1953) defines ‘“‘photogrammetry’’ as, ‘‘the science or art of obtaining surveys 
by means of photography; specifically, the process of making maps from photo- 
graphs, especially aerial photographs.” The American Society of Photogram- 
metry, however, gives the following definition, ‘the art and science of obtaining 
measurements from photography.” 
Photogrammetry has been used by applying ''x," ''y" and "z" axes forspace 
determinations; but with the newer concept of photogrammetry time must be 
added as a fourth axis, so that rates, velocities, accelerations and decelerations 
of subjects in space can be determined. Distances may vary from millimicrons 
to miles and kilometers. 
The late Brigadier General Paul T. Cullen gave one of the first broadening 
definitions of photogrammetry, in a paper delivered before the American So- 
ciety of Photogrammetry.T He defined it, as follows: 
“It was just a year ago that I was pulled out of the annual meeting of this Society 
to be informed that I was responsible for the AAF portion of Crossroads photography. 
Let me warn you here that whereas this report will attempt to remain impartial— tis 
inevitable that it will be mostly concerned with Air Force participation. 
“The problem was first stated in the following words: ‘Put a Fastax camera in two 
B-29's and follow the bomb carrier into the target because we want pictures of the first 
two seconds of the burst.' Please note that we were not given an accurate statement of 
the problem, instead we were given a partial solution. Actually, it took us weeks to 
determine exactly what the scientists, the Air Force, and the Navy wanted. Normally, 
problems if clearly stated, can be analyzed, the possible solutions laid out and the most 
practical selected. However, because of the lack of knowledge about atomic phenomena, 
and failure of our people to make an analysis of the end desired, our operational planning 
was kept in turmoil. We actually received a new photographic requirement just three 
days before Able Day!” 
However, many rotating prism high speed cameras, intermittent motion picture 
cameras, oscillographic cameras, time lapse cameras, pulsing aerial cameras and 
still cameras were eventually used on this project. 
* This is one of the papers included in the Report of the Reporter for U.S.A., Commission V, 
International Society of Photogrammetry. 
+ PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING, Page 96, Volume XIII, 1947. 
GV-69