Improving the Efficiency of Image Interpretation Using Ground Truth Terrestrial Photographs

Researchers worldwide use remotely sensed imagery in their projects, in both the social and natural sciences. However, users often encounter difficulties working with satellite images and aerial photographs, as image interpretation requires specific experience and skills. The best way to acquire these skills is to go into the field, identify your location in an overhead image, observe the landscape, and find corresponding features in the overhead image. In many cases, personal observations could be substituted by using terrestrial photographs taken from the ground with conventional cameras. This chapter discusses the value of terrestrial photographs as a substitute for field observations, elaborates on issues of data collection, and presents results of experimental estimation of the effectiveness of the use of terrestrial ground truth photographs for interpretation of remotely sensed imagery. The chapter introduces the concept of GeoTruth – a web-based collaborative framework for collection, storing and distribution of ground truth terrestrial photographs and corresponding metadata.