Seen from above: The theoretical future of aerial photos in land use, environmental and planning study

•First attempt to tell why aerial photos are less susceptible to criticisms than ground ones.•Explain differences between aerial and ground photos in relation to land use.•Examples of mis-using aerial photos provided. Although there is growing interest in the subjectivity of ground photos, similar criticism of aerial photos as a media product widely used in land use, environmental planning and management is seemingly absent. Inspired by pioneering work of Dorrian and Pousin (2013) and informed by the idea of Farman (2010) that users of aerial images can re-contextualise and subvert “master representation”, this paper attempts to offer an explanation for this contrast and argues that it is harder to wage a subjectivist battle against aerial photography than against ground photos and discusses the possible better use of government possessed aerial photo data in a digital form. Four reasons for this based on disinterested observation, data neutrality, psychology and focus are offered. Two thought experiments and examples are used to help explanation.