Each aerial photograph contains in its margin important information for the photo user. The arrangement, type, and amount of this information is standardized; however, the rapid development of cameras, film, and aeronautical technology since World War II has caused numerous changes in the numbering and titling of aerial photographs. As a result, the photo user may find that the marginal information on older photographs varies somewhat from the standard current practice. With certain camera systems, some of the data are automatically recorded on each exposure, while other systems require that all titling data be added to the film after processing.
a. Standard titling data for aerial photography prepared for the use of the Department of Defense are as follows. For reconnaissance and charting photography, items 2 through 14 and item 19 are lettered on the beginning and end of each roll of film. Items 1 through 9 and item 19 are lettered on each exposure. For surveying and mapping photography, items 2 through 19 are lettered on the beginning and end of each roll of film, and items 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, and 19 are lettered on each exposure.
(1) Negative number.
(2) Camera position.
(3) Taking unit.
(4) Service.
(5) Sortie/mission number.
(6) Date (followed by a double hyphen [=]).
(7) Time group and zone letter (GMT).
(8) Focal length.
(9) Altitude.
(10) Kind of photography or imagery.
(11) Geographic coordinates.
(12) Descriptive title.
(13) Project number and or name.
(14) Camera type and serial number.
(15) Cone serial number (if any).
(16) Lens type and serial number.
(17) Magazine type and serial number.
(18) Type of photographic filter used.
(19) Security classification.
b. Automatically recorded data may differ somewhat in arrangement from the sequence listed above, but the same information is available to the photo user. A detailed explanation of the titling items and the codes used to indicate them is found in TM 5-243.
