Case Studies Creative Uses

Creative Uses

The historic aerial imagery in the National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP) records many key moments of world history as they happened. From unique coverage of the D-Day landings to the hunt for secret German weapon installations, the creative industry has used NCAP imagery to provide authenticity to their productions.

original images and authentic touches

Images held by NCAP have been aired around the world, appearing on documentaries produced by the BBC, the Discovery Channel, PBS and National Geographic. As well as non-fiction, computer games and dramas have also featured images from the NCAP Collection. Most recently, they starred in Apple TV's popular Masters of the Air, which featured Austin Butler and Barry Keoghan as airmen in the 100th Bomb Group, operating over Europe during the Second World War. Below are just some examples of the creative uses of NCAP's imagery so far.

 

How to access imagery

There are two ways to order NCAP imagery;

  • Visit the Air Photo Finder which provides easy access to previously digitised imagery that is ready to order at optimal resolution. 
    Air Photo Finder
     
  • NCAP offers a Scan-on-Demand Service where you can identify specific new images for digitisation by using Finding Aids where available. See the How-To Guides for help using the Finding Aids and ordering imagery.
    How-To Guides  Scan on Demand

More Case Studies

A black and white aerial photo of fields. A large pond is visible centre left. The fields are pockmarked with bomb craters. Digital yellow circles have been drawn around small dots indicating where bombs have landed but not exploded.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal

NCAP imagery is used by Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists to manage and mitigate the risks posed by unexploded ordnance.

A very zoomed-in colour aerial photo of a fence built across a driveway. There are lawns either side of the driveway, and the roofs of 3 sheds are visible to the left and right.

Boundary Disputes

Spanning 100 years, NCAP's aerial photographs can be vital tools in litigation, providing the crucial detail needed to prove property boundaries and rights of way.

A colour aerial photo of the same scene as the image before. The lines of trees are still present but most of the fields have been built over with large industrial buildings. The scene is now crossed by a large motorway.

Land-use Change

Monitoring and analysing changes in land use is an essential part of planning for a sustainable future and is a commercial, political and technical challenge.

A man seen from behind leaning over a black and white aerial photo on a lightbox. He holds a magnifying lens in his white-gloved right hand.

Police Investigation

NCAP aerial photography has long been used by Police Scotland in investigations and when reviewing cold cases to assess landscape changes.