West Coast Aerial Photography Press
West Coast Aerial Photography expands services to include near-infrared imagery capabilities
Los Angeles, CA, July 22 -- West Coast Aerial Photography, Inc., today announced that it has acquired a near-infrared camera system, capable of producing very high-resolution oblique and vertical near-infrared photographs. Near-IR images provide experts with a crucial tool to study landforms, vegetation health patterns, and environmental pollution.
The near-infrared spectrum is not visible to the naked eye, but studies have demonstrated that it is able to provide rapid and cost-effective analysis of plants, including both water and cellulose composition. The U.S. Geological Survey explains that in near-infrared images "leaves of healthy, growing vegetation reflect a high level of near-infrared wavelengths," while less healthy plants exhibit a visible degradation of vibrancy in comparison. Water, on the other hand, "absorbs near-infrared wavelengths and appears black" in near-IR images, making any pollution or living plants in the water pronounced.
"The possibilities for near-infrared photography are pretty vast," states Mark Holtzman, President of West Coast Aerial Photography. "It can be used in agriculture to see irrigation issues, plant health, and has been used in identifying live vegetation in fire burn areas. With the state's financial and water shortages, near-infrared imagery is a great low-cost tool."
Initially developed during World War I and used extensively during World War II, near-infrared photography was crucial in differentiating living vegetation from disguised man-made installations. In addition, it's ability to penetrate atmospheric haze, provided very clear images, making near-infrared imagery invaluable.