Underwater Imagery

Left image
1982,  Isle Royale National Park: Hard hat diver with tethered 1/2" B/W reel to reel video camera with A/C strobes.
Credit: NPS

Right image
2012, Isle Royale National Park: NPS Rebreather diver with a tethered 3D underwater camera system.
Credit: NPS

From its inception in 1980, the SRC has employed staff photographers, understanding that in order for the public to comprehend and appreciate their resources - first they had to see them. Currently the SRC employs two audiovisual specialists that work with archeologists to document underwater sites with a variety of camera systems, both above and below the water. In addition, the SRC has a formal partnership with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Advanced Imaging and Visualization Laboratory to utilize prototype camera systems such as 3D, 4K and 360 for underwater imaging in Parks service-wide. 

ADVANCES IN PHOTOGRAMMETRY

Within the past few years, photogrammetric technology has become an emerging tool for archeologists to map and document features or entire shipwreck sites underwater. Photogrammetry uses two-dimensional image sequences from multiple perspectives to create a three-dimensional visualization of an object. The SRC is testing this technology against known mapped shipwrecks to determine accuracy and feasibility as well as adapting new photogrammetric mapping project to document underwater sites across the National Park system.