162
March 2019
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING
BOOK
REVIEW
tion of the textbook more difficult and challenging to use, as
the chapter titles do not clearly indicate the topics covered in
each chapter and several topics span multiple chapters. For
example, the elements of image interpretation are part of
chapter 9 “Data Exploration” which also includes topics such
as Tasseled-Cap Transformation and DEM Hillshades, while
the application of manual interpretation is part of chapter 10
“Image Classification.”
Section 4, “Managing Imagery and GIS Data” contain three
chapters that address accuracy assessment and imagery data
management including publishing/processing services, and
a final concluding chapter. Of all the chapters, I found the
“Summary – Practical Considerations” for accuracy assess-
ment particularly well done encouraging the reader to think
critically about both the implementation and interpretation of
accuracy assessments. The chapter on “Managing and Serving
Imagery” provides the strongest link between remote sensing
and GIS and provides a useful technical guide on the various
characteristics and tools that need to be setup and managed
in order for remote sensing imagery and data to be fully incor-
porated into a Geographic Information System used by many
users. For example, the authors detail mosaic datasets and
how they can be used to deliver custom imagery to a user.
I appreciate the book’s approach of connecting remote sens-
ing to GIS rather than as a stand-alone discipline. Given the
growth of GIS over the last two decades and the increasing
number of specialized GIS programs in colleges and universi-
ties, this book seems to fit in an important need of helping to
train GIS professionals in remote sensing who may not become
remote sensing specialists. The emphasis on best practices and
practical considerations lends itself well to the GIS community
who are focused on applications rather than development. The
inclusion of limited references ArcGIS products appeals to GIS
users, but the book makes an excellent textbook or reference
no matter what software is being used.
However, there were a few missed opportunities that would
have made this book truly excellent. First, the book focuses
almost exclusively on the classification of vegetation, not only
in the case studies, but also the methods presented. In the
introduction to the textbook, the authors state the importance
of remote sensing to a range of fields including precision ag-
riculture, humanitarian aid, forestry, and mining. There is a
missed opportunity to connect with the boarder GIS commu-
nity for applications in these fields. Second, while the book is
admirably up-to-date in regards to sensors, there is a notable
lack of unmanned aerial system/ drone remote sensing. While
drones are mentioned as a platform, the book is completely
lacking in describing Structure from Motion and its products
such as orthomosaics and digital surface models. Given the
growth of drone remote sensing and its distinctly different
characteristics and processing methods, this should be an es-
sential part of any contemporary remote sensing textbook.
Imagery and GIS
is a well-rounded and approachable in-
troductory remote sensing textbook clearly written with GIS
users and community in mind. The quality of the book both in
content and printing (e.g., color figures and fonts) combined
with an excellent glossary and index, all at an affordable price,
make it a very appealing textbook or reference.
Rising Star
ASPRS
PROGRAM
Meet Our Rising Stars!
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Corey Ochsman
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Collin Hutcheson
Sponsored by Merrick & Company
Charles Krugger
Sponsored by Stahl Sheaffer Engineering, LLC
Kristine Taniguchi-Quan, Ph. D.
Sponsored by Pacific Southwest Region
of ASPRS
The Rising Star program is focused on mentorship of tomorrow’s
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can all benefit by participation in the program through the
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For more information go to
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