Book Reviews
Introductory Digital Image Processing: A Remote Sensing Perspective, Third Edition (John R. Jenson) Review by: Tanya S. Unger Holtz INTERA Inc., PO Box 818, 137 Second Avenue, Niwot, CO 80026
Introductory Digital Image Processing: A Remote Sensing Perspective (3rd ed.), by John R. Jenson, is a complete and thorough introduction to and reference for remote sensing technologies and digital image processing techniques. The author writes a detailed account of a wide spectrum of remote sensing and digital image processing needs including data collection, processing hardware and software, image quality and statistical evaluation, visualization, principles of electromagnetic radiation, radiometric and geometric correction of remotely sensed data, image enhancement, information extraction, change detection anal-
yses, and accuracy assessments. As stated by the author, ‘‘This book was written for physical, natural, and social scientists interested in the quantitative analysis of remotely sensed data to solve real world problems.’’ The reader is expected to have knowledge of college algebra, univariate and multivariate statistics, as well as an introductory understanding of air photo interpretation or remote sensing. First the author introduces remote sensing data collection, including analog image digitization; digital remote sensor; multispectral imaging using discrete detectors, scanning mirrors, and linear arrays; image
Environmental & Engineering Geoscience, Vol. XIII, No. 1, February 2007, pp. 75–94
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Book Reviews
spectrometry; digital cameras; and satellite systems. Tables summarize a wealth of information including a comprehensive list of satellite data collection systems in use today as well as comparisons of spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution. The author continues with a detailed consideration of hardware and software needs followed by an introduction to statistical methods for evaluating image quality. Additionally, the author takes time to explain the details of electromagnetic radiation principles, which provides the reader with a firm foundation to discuss various image correction/enhancement methods and data extraction techniques. The author leaves nothing out while providing concise and well-illustrated examples of complex topics relating to digital image processing. Statistical equations and electromagnetic principles are presented and explained clearly, making reading through the math understandable and easy to follow, even for those with a basic understanding of such principles. Figures are nicely presented both within the text and in a set of high-quality color plates in the center of the book. The author uses many summary tables to help distill information and relay quick reviews to the reader, making the text a great quick reference while working through a remote sensing application. The author, John R. Jenson, is a Carolina Distinguished Professor at the University of South Carolina in the Department of Geography. He has been
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working at the University for well over 25 years and has a long history of work in the fields of photo interpretation, physical geography, analytical cartography, and remote sensing, dating back to the late 1960s. For these reasons, Jenson is a highly qualified expert in the subject matter he presents in this third edition. The third edition of Introductory Digital Image Processing: A Remote Sensing Perspective provides a detailed introduction and reference to a comprehensive list of subject matter relating to remotely sensed data collection and processing. Again, the author does disclose that there is some required background knowledge, including college algebra and statistics, as the basis for understanding this book. However, this reviewer believes that Jenson has done a great job of clearly explaining necessary background information. The book is quite detailed and therefore can take quite some time to read from cover to cover; however, it serves as a comprehensive reference for digital image acquisition and processing.
REFERENCE JENSEN, J. R., 2005, Introductory Digital Image Processing: A Remote Sensing Perspective, 3rd ed.: Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 526 p.
Environmental & Engineering Geoscience, Vol. XIII, No. 1, February 2007, pp. 75–94
