Aerial photographs are a valuable resource as they provide an accurate record of how the Australian landscape has changed over time. The National Library has a collection of approximately 800,000 black and white aerial photographs housed in the Maps Reading Room. The aerial photographs covering most of Australia were taken between 1928 and 1987. The collection comprises Commonwealth photography flown by the Royal Australian Air Force, Division of National Mapping, Bureau of Mineral Resources and the Australian Surveying and Land Information Group (AUSLIG), now called the National Mapping and Information Group of Geoscience Australia. The collection is arranged and indexed according to the Australian 1:63 360 topographic sheet numbering system. Aerial photographs can be accessed in the Maps Reading Room. They are not available for interlibrary loan although copies can be ordered. The Maps Reading Room also houses a collection of photomaps, photomosaic, and orthophoto maps.
Aerial photographs can be accessed by searching the Librarys catalogue and through the various finding aids such as map indexes and flight diagrams, which are located in the Maps Reading Room. It is important to consult with map staff as most aerial photographs are not catalogued while others have been catalogued broadly under area headings.
To search the Librarys catalogue for aerial photographs select the subject option from the menu and type in the area of interest using the subject heading aerial photographs.
e.g.Australian Capital Territory aerial photographs.
Another useful subject heading is aerial views.
e.g. Canberra A.C.T. aerial views.
Aerial photography is indexed on map indexes according to the Australian 1:63 360 topographic sheet numbering system. Flight diagrams which show aircraft flight paths or runs are held for 80% of the collection. Details such as run numbers, print number, camera, focal length, height and date are included on the flight diagrams.
For example, to locate an aerial photograph of the town of Goulburn, NSW using map indexes and flight diagrams use the following steps:
1. Consult the Geoscience Australia Place Name Search to determine tne the geographic co-ordinates for the latitude and longitude of the area of interest e.g. the latitude and longitude for Goulburn is 34° 44'S and 149° 44'E.
2. Consult theAustralia Aerial Photos Photo Index Maps (located on the Map Index hanging racks in the Maps Reading Room). Check the individual State map for the map sheet number e.g. the map sheet number for Goulburn is I55/12/442.
3. Consult the flight diagrams on either the
to first determine whether a flight diagram exists and secondly for the run number and date. Runs are filmed/filed by the map sheet number, e.g. Goulburn is I55/12/442, and then in chronological order by date of photography. Note however that flight diagrams are not held for all photography in the collection, and in some cases photography may not be held for a particular flight diagram.
4. Complete a MAP Enquiry Form with the map sheet number, the run number and date of photography, then hand to map staff who will retrieve the required aerial photograph box. Each aerial photograph box contains a number of aircraft runs.
Please consult map staff if you require assistance or cannot locate an aerial photograph for the area required. The Library also holds collections of photomaps, photomosaic, and orthophoto maps which may cover the area of interest.
A TOPCON Stereoscope, with a 6x binocular viewer can be used to view the aerial photographs. Consult map staff for access to this item.
Photomaps, photomosaic and orthophoto maps have been indexed according to the map scales in the Maps Reading Room Index collection. Consult map staff for access to these collections.
Copies of the original photgraph prints are avaliable as photocopies, photographic prints and digital scans on CD. These can be ordered in the Maps Reading Room or online through Copies Direct. All copying is subject to copyright restrictions. Generally copyright on aerial photographs expires after 50 years from the date of creation, or after 50 years from the date of first publication for photographs taken after 1st May 1969. If an aerial photograph is still in copyright permission to copy must to be obtained from Geoscience Australia. The Library does not hold negatives of the aerial photographs. What negatives survive are held by United Photo and Graphic Services . Copies taken directly from the negatives can be purchased from United Photo and Graphics.
Geoscience Australia - Aerial Photography - Outlines geoscience Australia's aerial photography service. Contains online catalogue of flight line diagrams to select photography and a link to United Photo and Graphic Services for information on products, ordering, and payment.
National Archives of Australia - Lists the major aerial photograph collections held by the National Archives.
City2See - Aerial photography of selected cities around Australia
Australian Capital Territory Planning and Land Authority - Aerial Photos - Responsible for the programming, flight planning, acquisition and reproduction of aerial photography over Canberra and the surrounding region.
Department of Lands - Aerial Photography - State aerial photography information. Links to AirView with online photography viewing and ordering.
Northern Territory Land Information System - Aerial Photography Index - Details on aerial photography coverage of the Territory, showing flight details and photo images.
The Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water - Aerial Photography - Contains details of state photography coverage, products avaliable and prices.
Department for Environment and Heritage - Aerial Photography - Describes aerial photography programs, products and services.
Department of Primary Industries and Water - Aerial Photographs - Contact point for aerial photographs and information on current programs.
Land Channel Victoria - Imagery - Information on state program of aerial photography. Also links to commercial photography suppliers.
Western Australia Landgate - Aerial Photography - Describes the state aerial photography program and products.
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