Which method corrects optical distortion in photographs for accurate measurements?

The method that specifically corrects optical distortion in photographs to achieve accurate measurements is orthophotography. This technique involves taking aerial images and correcting them for geometric distortions caused by camera angle, topography, and the curvature of the Earth. The result is a uniform scale throughout the image, making it possible to obtain precise measurements directly from the photograph, as if it were a map.

In the context of design and analysis, ensuring that measurements from images are accurate is crucial for site analysis, understanding spatial relationships, and making informed design decisions. Orthophotos serve as a reliable base for further analysis, including planning and development tasks.

While other methods such as photogrammetry also relate to capturing measurements from images, they often involve a stereoscopic approach and may not directly imply correction for optical distortion in the way orthophotography does. Rectified photography focuses primarily on correcting the perspective of a photograph but does not typically eliminate all optical distortions like orthophotography. Laser scanning, conversely, captures three-dimensional data and is more about surface modeling rather than directly correcting photographic distortions.