Structure from motion photogrammetric technique

Abstract Structure from motion (SfM) with multiview stereo, a technique from photogrammetry and computer vision that uses overlapping images to reconstruct 3D surface models, is a valuable research tool in geomorphology and related disciplines. Images can be collected with standard consumer-grade cameras, making SfM a low-cost tool that compliments other 3D technologies, such as terrestrial and airborne laser scanning (lidar). The high level of automation of SfM processing offers an unprecedented occasion to describe earth surface processes, but this comes with strengths and challenges. Accordingly, this contribution seeks to give a guide in successfully applying SfM for a range of geomorphic studies. First, it offers an overview of the technique, history, evolution, and the reason behind its success. Second, it describes the method, with guidelines about suitable settings, accuracy, and georeferencing. Finally, including case studies that have been contributed by experts from around the world, it showcases the chances offered to reconstruct processes across spatial and temporal scales.