Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Why cant I see the photograph before I buy?
Why is the delivery time different for many of the photographs?
What do I get when I buy a photograph?
Where do the photos come from?
What size area does the photo cover?
What is a vertical aerial photo?
What is an oblique aerial photo?
What are aerial photos used for?
Are there restrictions on what can I do with my photo?
What if there are no suitable photos in the archive?
FAQs
Why cant I see the photograph before I buy?
The photography offered by the website is from a variety of sources and much of it only exists on original film. Although we are doing what we can to get as much as possible scanned, it is a huge, costly undertaking.
The photography offered by the website is from a variety of sources and much of it only exists on original film. Although we are doing what we can to get as much as possible scanned, it is a huge, costly undertaking.
Why is the delivery time different for many of the photographs?
As discussed above the photography is sourced from different archives and due to this they command different amounts of time to gain access to. We will endeavor to deliver any order ASAP though and would hope to get your product to you before the time stated in many cases.
As discussed above the photography is sourced from different archives and due to this they command different amounts of time to gain access to. We will endeavor to deliver any order ASAP though and would hope to get your product to you before the time stated in many cases.
What do I get when I buy a photograph?
When you buy a photograph from OldAerialPhotos.com the archive holding the original film or print will send you a high-resolution digital image, scanned from the original. It will usually be scanned at 20 microns, and the file size for a colour image will be up to 370Mb. The image can be downloaded in uncompressed tiff format. You will also receive a licence to use that image within the licence restrictions.
When you buy a photograph from OldAerialPhotos.com the archive holding the original film or print will send you a high-resolution digital image, scanned from the original. It will usually be scanned at 20 microns, and the file size for a colour image will be up to 370Mb. The image can be downloaded in uncompressed tiff format. You will also receive a licence to use that image within the licence restrictions.
How big is a photograph?
This depends on what photograph you choose. Most of the photos are standard survey aerial photo size (9 x 9 inches), although older photos may vary, so a print will be this size. If you order a digital file, again it depends, but it will usually be a 20-micron scan that will be about 370MB for a colour photo and 135MB for a black and white photo.
This depends on what photograph you choose. Most of the photos are standard survey aerial photo size (9 x 9 inches), although older photos may vary, so a print will be this size. If you order a digital file, again it depends, but it will usually be a 20-micron scan that will be about 370MB for a colour photo and 135MB for a black and white photo.
Where do the photos come from?
All of the photos on OldAerialPhotos.com are sourced from a range of highly respected archives across the UK including our own. We deal directly with all of the Archives on your behalf, so you don't have to. We have converted all of the information about these archives into one Master Aerial Database. There are other collections of aerial photographs available that do not have such readily available information. We are slowly converting this in to our Master Aerial Database in order to make it available online. So in the meantime if there is not a suitable aerial photograph, or you would like further options, please email info@oldaerialphotos.com
All of the photos on OldAerialPhotos.com are sourced from a range of highly respected archives across the UK including our own. We deal directly with all of the Archives on your behalf, so you don't have to. We have converted all of the information about these archives into one Master Aerial Database. There are other collections of aerial photographs available that do not have such readily available information. We are slowly converting this in to our Master Aerial Database in order to make it available online. So in the meantime if there is not a suitable aerial photograph, or you would like further options, please email info@oldaerialphotos.com
What is an aerial photograph?
There are basically two main types of aerial photograph, oblique and vertical. Both are taken from an elevated position above the ground, usually from an aeroplane or a helicopter. However other methods are used such as masts, balloons and kites for example. As you might expect an oblique photograph is taken at an angle looking sideways out of the aircraft, which gives a 'landscape' view. Whereas a vertical aerial photo is taken looking straight down from the aircraft to the ground, giving a 'map' view. Traditionally oblique aerial photographs are used for pictorial purposes to give the viewer an idea of what is around a particular location and are not used to measure from, until recently. The vertical photograph is used for more technical purposes, i.e. mapping, and the cameras and lenses have to be calibrated to give accurate measurements. There is a whole science behind aerial photography, known as photogrammetry, which is the practice of obtaining information about physical objects through the process of recording, measuring, and interpreting photographic images. More recently it has been used in the fields of architecture, archaeology, engineering, geology, underwater, and forensic work as well as aerial survey. It is a complicated mathematical subject and we will not go into it any further here! Currently OldAerialPhotos.com only searches a database on vertical aerial photographs.
There are basically two main types of aerial photograph, oblique and vertical. Both are taken from an elevated position above the ground, usually from an aeroplane or a helicopter. However other methods are used such as masts, balloons and kites for example. As you might expect an oblique photograph is taken at an angle looking sideways out of the aircraft, which gives a 'landscape' view. Whereas a vertical aerial photo is taken looking straight down from the aircraft to the ground, giving a 'map' view. Traditionally oblique aerial photographs are used for pictorial purposes to give the viewer an idea of what is around a particular location and are not used to measure from, until recently. The vertical photograph is used for more technical purposes, i.e. mapping, and the cameras and lenses have to be calibrated to give accurate measurements. There is a whole science behind aerial photography, known as photogrammetry, which is the practice of obtaining information about physical objects through the process of recording, measuring, and interpreting photographic images. More recently it has been used in the fields of architecture, archaeology, engineering, geology, underwater, and forensic work as well as aerial survey. It is a complicated mathematical subject and we will not go into it any further here! Currently OldAerialPhotos.com only searches a database on vertical aerial photographs.
What size area does the photo cover?
When you search the database on OldAerialPhotos.com you will be shown a map with a series of icons, which depict the centre point of each photo. If you select one of these icons it shows you a grey box, this shows the approximate coverage of that photograph on the ground. Please note that this box is approximated and may not be exact. So please choose a photo where the centre point is nearest to your area of interest.
When you search the database on OldAerialPhotos.com you will be shown a map with a series of icons, which depict the centre point of each photo. If you select one of these icons it shows you a grey box, this shows the approximate coverage of that photograph on the ground. Please note that this box is approximated and may not be exact. So please choose a photo where the centre point is nearest to your area of interest.
What is a vertical aerial photo?
A vertical aerial photo is taken looking straight down from the aircraft to the ground, giving a 'map' view.
A vertical aerial photo is taken looking straight down from the aircraft to the ground, giving a 'map' view.
What is an oblique aerial photo?
An oblique photograph is taken at an angle looking sideways out of the aircraft, which gives a 'landscape' view. These are not currently available on Oldaerialphotos.
An oblique photograph is taken at an angle looking sideways out of the aircraft, which gives a 'landscape' view. These are not currently available on Oldaerialphotos.
What are aerial photos used for?
The applications for aerial photography are vast. In any circumstance where one might use a map, an aerial photo could also be used. Land Issues and Boundary Disputes - This is a surprisingly common issue in the UK. The ability of being able to clearly see where a boundary was several years ago can be irrefutable evidence in boundary or right of way disputes. This is exactly what aerial photography gives you. Legal - As well as boundary disputes, there are a host of other uses for aerial photography in legal cases for example scene of crime or incident, route taken, evidence of land cover. Planning Applications and Property - when buying or selling land or property it is important to know what the lie of the land was decades before your property was built, for example was there a factory, or a quarry nearby? Either may have in impact on the environment and possibly the resale value. General Interest - With growing interest in genealogy and family history, an aerial photography shown a family's home ground is always fascinating, as well as being a fantastic catalyst for reminiscing! They also make a great gift. Environmental - It is key to know the history of an area in order to plan the future. Knowing what was there aids the decision making process, ensure a safe and sustainable world. Insurance Companies - Knowing what was in an area over the previous decades helps with decision making during risk assessment and claim. Deforested areas can cause subsidence; paint factories may have contaminated the land. There may even be unexploded bombs in the area. Local and Central Government - Planning our environment requires every tool available. A view of history can enable Government to learn from the past and make the correct decisions now. Archaeology - The older the photo, the better! Aerial photos of a pre-built environment can reveal a lot about the previous inhabitants of the area, making aerial photography and invaluable tool. Exhibitions, Visitor Attractions, Visual Media - People are always fascinated by an aerial photo, it is a totally different perspective of a place they are often very familiar, and can act as a great focal point for an exhibition or visitor centre.
The applications for aerial photography are vast. In any circumstance where one might use a map, an aerial photo could also be used. Land Issues and Boundary Disputes - This is a surprisingly common issue in the UK. The ability of being able to clearly see where a boundary was several years ago can be irrefutable evidence in boundary or right of way disputes. This is exactly what aerial photography gives you. Legal - As well as boundary disputes, there are a host of other uses for aerial photography in legal cases for example scene of crime or incident, route taken, evidence of land cover. Planning Applications and Property - when buying or selling land or property it is important to know what the lie of the land was decades before your property was built, for example was there a factory, or a quarry nearby? Either may have in impact on the environment and possibly the resale value. General Interest - With growing interest in genealogy and family history, an aerial photography shown a family's home ground is always fascinating, as well as being a fantastic catalyst for reminiscing! They also make a great gift. Environmental - It is key to know the history of an area in order to plan the future. Knowing what was there aids the decision making process, ensure a safe and sustainable world. Insurance Companies - Knowing what was in an area over the previous decades helps with decision making during risk assessment and claim. Deforested areas can cause subsidence; paint factories may have contaminated the land. There may even be unexploded bombs in the area. Local and Central Government - Planning our environment requires every tool available. A view of history can enable Government to learn from the past and make the correct decisions now. Archaeology - The older the photo, the better! Aerial photos of a pre-built environment can reveal a lot about the previous inhabitants of the area, making aerial photography and invaluable tool. Exhibitions, Visitor Attractions, Visual Media - People are always fascinated by an aerial photo, it is a totally different perspective of a place they are often very familiar, and can act as a great focal point for an exhibition or visitor centre.
Are there restrictions on what can I do with my photo?
You can use your photo in accordance with your licence agreement, which will be sent to you for your review and acceptance before your image is supplied. Please let the supplier know if you wish to use your image for anything other than personal use. There may be additional fees for non-personal and commercial re-use.
You can use your photo in accordance with your licence agreement, which will be sent to you for your review and acceptance before your image is supplied. Please let the supplier know if you wish to use your image for anything other than personal use. There may be additional fees for non-personal and commercial re-use.
What if there are no suitable photos in the archive?
We have many hundreds of thousands of aerial photos in the database, so hopefully there will be one to suit you. In the event that you want something different or more specific, please contact us and we will be able to look through offline archives. This is a manual process and therefore we have to make an additional charge, although the search fee you may have paid on the website will be deducted.
We have many hundreds of thousands of aerial photos in the database, so hopefully there will be one to suit you. In the event that you want something different or more specific, please contact us and we will be able to look through offline archives. This is a manual process and therefore we have to make an additional charge, although the search fee you may have paid on the website will be deducted.