Photomap
PhotoMap has a long history of working with GIS and aerial imagery
As the name suggests, we take great photos and turn them into useful maps. We have been doing this for almost two decades. Originally started in 2001, PhotoMap has evolved along with rapidly changing technology to encompass the latest in UAV technology and high precision positioning systems. In addition, we use the best tools from ESRI to continue providing geographically accurate and practically functional imagery and mapping services.
We have a great team of highly trained GIS analysts able to understand and interpret the data collected, giving our clients meaningful information that assists in running their businesses. We continue to evolve adding new sensors, better positioning systems and keeping up with the latest changes in GIS software to provide reliable information for our clients.
Since 2017 PhotoMap has been part of Buck Forestry Services allowing us to integrate on the ground data collection and processing with imagery and GIS services. As well as serving the forestry industry we work with a wide variety of horticultural, agricultural and construction companies demonstrating the varied application of aerial imagery and GIS.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND REMOTE SENSING
We have a
variety of collection methods available for aerial imagery depending on budget, required resolution and size of project. All our imagery is geo-referenced which allows it to be accurately located in GIS and mapping software.
Using manned aircraft, we can cover thousands of hectares in a day and provide orthomosaic imagery of your property with 10 - 20cm ground sample distance (GSD). This can be helpful in overall strategic planning and understanding the area and size of your assets. It gives a snapshot of the area now and is a useful tool for future planning.
With UAV’s, we can cover hundreds of hectares in a day and provide orthomosaic images with a GSD of 3-5cm and an absolute spatial accuracy of 3cm. Whether it is mapping out your forest, counting plants in your hop garden or orchard or getting accurate volumes from your quarry, the resolution, ease of capture and accuracy of our UAV imagery is an excellent tool.
If you have your own UAV we are able to provide data processing services using images provided by you to create geo-referenced images.
The following are some examples of how our aerial imagery has been used across various industries so far, and we are always on the lookout for new ways to help.
FORESTRY
Understanding the areas harvested is an important part of forest management. We assist companies by regularly flying and capturing harvested areas to allow them to calculate production on a monthly basis. They also use the imagery to help with planning, planting, spraying and a number of other steps in the forest cycle. UAV imagery can also assist with operational quality control inspections. In addition, we have been working with companies to identify impact of drought and disease on tree health.
HORTICULTURE
We have assisted hop growers by photographing and creating ortho corrected mosaics for a large number of gardens in the Nelson area. This accurate base imagery allowed us to map out areas precisely and in consultation with the growers, define areas under wire for each variety. We have worked with a nursery who wanted to implement a new GPS guided tractor system. We flew the area and captured imagery to create an accurate base map. With 3cm accuracy they were able to use that to plan their paths and plantings.
CONSTRUCTION
Using UAV collected imagery we created a point cloud using our processing software from which the client was able to overlay their technical drawings. This provided a 3D image for their planning and modelling requirements.
We have flown roads before, during and after construction to assess risks, manage environmental hazards and confirm queries in hard to reach places. The ability to take still images and video as well as create 3D models has allowed our clients to make informed decisions and work safely, efficiently and with appropriate consideration for environmental factors.
Another advantage and use for 3D modelling via aerial image capture is for volume analysis. We have flown a number of quarries over time to quantify the amount of rock being moved and stored. Being able to capture the imagery from outside the quarry meant no stoppage time and eliminated the risk of working in an active site.
REAL ESTATE
Up to date aerial imagery can be a great tool to assist in promoting property sales. We have undertaken large scale photography to illustrate large tracts of land as well as imagery to highlight and showcase specific aspects of a property for advertising
material.
ADVERTISING
Getting a unique shot of your product or process can enhance your marketing material and help make your business stand out from the crowd. Aerial images add a different perspective and look great in magazines. Video can add something special to your website or social media feed.
MAPPING AND GIS
We use Arc GIS to translate imagery into accurate maps and provide information in a visual format that is easy to understand and informative. Using a visual map can be a great way of showing multiple fields of information on one page and being geo-referenced our maps can be used with various apps on mobile devices taking advantage of location services to show your position on the map.
Accurate mapping can be very useful for understanding your land and maximising the returns from it. For example it can assist with calculating the number of trees in a stand, steepness of a slope, distance to water and irrigation channels and identifying roading networks.
The following are some examples of how our mapping and GIS services have been used across various industries so far, and we are always keen to work in new fields with new businesses.
FORESTRY
Examples of mapping uses in forestry include cutover analysis, slope and terrain mapping for harvesting operations, pre and post thinning assessment, road cost calculations as well as the least cost path for onsite roads. With the tools available through Arc GIS, raster analysis can be used to interrogate data more thoroughly and help in laying an effective ground work for future operations.
We work closely with companies participating in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and have experience in mapping CAA areas for submission. With the NES-PF now in force, we are creating compliance maps for submission and understand the rules surrounding permitted operations. This assists customers in getting the most from the land whilst ensuring good stewardship.
HORTICULTURE
Using our imagery, we have created accurate scale maps of various hop gardens. These maps include such information as area, number of plants, varieties etc. The maps are also useful for planning irrigation, roads and new areas to be planted. In some farms we have assessed slope to enable growers to determine suitability for planting.
Nurseries have used our maps to measure, plan and organise rows of crops. Using our UAV image base map, we were able to create a plan for a GPS guided tractor for spraying, planting and maintenance. This resulted in additional rows being planted, less wasted space and an increase in production.
REAL ESTATE
Buying or selling a farm or forest is an important transaction. Understanding what is there in terms of various land uses forms a core part of the due diligence process. We have helped in mapping out farms and forests for sale, assessing areas, roads, and boundaries, as well as significant natural areas and defining the land into appropriate classifications.
THE TEAM AT PHOTOMAP
SAM BUTLER-HOGG
PHOTOMAP MANAGER
Sam is responsible for managing the Photomap division of BFS. Sam started with BFS in 2017 and specialises in the collection of aerial imagery from both UAV and fixed wing aircraft. From this imagery Photomap produces high quality maps and other GIS information for a variety of uses. Sam is an accredited UAV pilot with experience flying both fixed wing and rotary UAV’s. He also spends time capturing large area aerial photography. He has extensive experience with ESRI products, as well as Agisoft Metashape.
TOM ARGYLE
GIS TECHNICIAN
Tom has a BSc in Geography and Geology from Victoria University and has been working with ESRI products for a number of years. He has considerable experience with a wide range of tools in the ESRI suite as well as data interpretation, analysis and presentation.
