Documenting historical buildings using high-resolution photographs obtained with smartphones: The Case of Latifiye (Abdullatif) Mosque, Mardin/Türkiye

Abstract

In today's context, the use of technology has become increasingly widespread in the process
of gathering, processing, documenting, and presenting data obtained through
photogrammetry. Advancements in technology have made it easier to digitally document
historical artifacts using photogrammetric methods. Traditional measurement techniques,
laser scanning, and photogrammetry, or combinations of these methods, are commonly used
in the documentation of historical artifacts. In this study, the focus was on the application of
close-range photogrammetry, a subfield of photogrammetry, using the non-metric cameras of
smartphones that we frequently use in our daily lives. The three-dimensional images of
Mardin Latifiye Mosque were obtained using photographs captured with smartphones.
Additionally, a panoramic view of the mosque was created, allowing for the examination of
materials and material deterioration. Archaeological data was added to the obtained images,
and all the work conducted in the area was made accessible through a web platform. This
article provides a detailed explanation of the methods followed at every stage to generate
three-dimensional models from smartphones. It also describes the necessary processes to
create 360-degree panoramic images.