Using photogrammetry in the North Pennines National Landscape

19 November 2024

Blog by Kevin Smith, volunteer with the Land of Lead and Silver project

What on earth is photogrammetry? Photogrammetry is a technology and process that uses photographs to create 3D models of physical objects and environments. It involves taking a set of overlapping photographs of an object, building, or environment, and then stitching the individual photographs together to create an accurate 3D model using computer software. Photogrammetry has many important applications and the 3D models are widely used in topographic mapping and surveying, architecture, engineering, manufacturing, and, increasingly, in recording and monitoring sites of cultural and industrial heritage.

So how do you go about creating a good 3D model? Well, it is not as difficult and mysterious as it may sound. Firstly, you need to record a set of images, looking carefully at the site or building of interest, noticing key features that you want to capture and bring out in your model. One of my first experiences was working with a team of volunteers on the North Pennines National Landscape team’s Land of Lead and Silver project, taking a set of images of the entrances to the smelt mill flues at Allen Mill. What an amazing site. Allen Mill was a major centre of the Allen Valleys lead mining industry from the 17th Century onwards and is a scheduled ancient monument comprising remains of ore bunkers, flue tunnels, smelting furnaces and hearths, and water wheel pits. It was a real privilege to be allowed access to such a significant historical site.

One important thing to remember when taking your photographs is that you are not aiming for beautifully framed individual pictures. What you need are a set of quality images with good overlap to help with the next steps of creating your 3D model. This is where we need the ‘clever’ software, to import the images, align them, and bring them together into your first 3D model. It is a remarkable thing to see it all come together.

Creating a 3D photogrammetric model of a historic building or site is an extremely satisfying and rewarding process and on a personal level offers a unique way to immerse yourself within and learn more about the rich mining heritage of the North Pennines. As a volunteer with the North Pennines National Landscape team, you have insight into important mining sites, many at considerable risk of deterioration and decay. So, when you have created your model, you know that you have created something of value, helping to record and monitor the condition of these important sites, feeding into discussions relating to heritage consolidation and renovation.

Why not give it a go? Nowadays, basic photogrammetry is a very approachable technology. You can get very good results from everyday photographic equipment, even mobile phones, and create high-quality 3D models and the software doesn’t have to be that complicated. However, if you get hooked (and it can be very addictive!), you can also explore higher tech solutions including aerial-based photography, mapping, and drones. There is plenty of room to expand your technical knowledge and expertise in an exciting subject, something I find particularly stimulating and challenging. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have and enjoy contributing to such an exciting and leading-edge project. Thank you North Pennines National Landscape team.