---
created: 2025-07-22
updated: 2025-07-22
title: PHOTINT/IMINT
tags:
  - intelligence
  - imagery
description: PHOTINT (Photographic Intelligence) or IMINT (Imagery Intelligence) refers to intelligence gathered through photographic and other imagery, typically from satellites or spy planes.
category: "Intelligence Concept"
summary: "PHOTINT (Photographic Intelligence), also known as IMINT (Imagery Intelligence), is a form of intelligence gathering that relies on photographic and other imagery, typically obtained from reconnaissance satellites or spy planes."
---

PHOTINT (Photographic Intelligence), also known as IMINT (Imagery Intelligence), is a form of intelligence gathering that relies on photographic and other imagery, typically obtained from reconnaissance satellites or spy planes. This includes visible-light images, thermal infrared images, gamma-ray images, and even wall- and ground-penetrating radar images.[^1]

PHOTINT is one of the major "conventional" intelligence disciplines, alongside [[Human Intelligence|HUMINT]], [[SIGINT/COMINT]], and [[ELINT]]. While powerful, intelligence consumers prefer not to rely on solitary sources of information, using different intelligence disciplines together to confirm and complement each other. The advent of [[PSI-INT]] offered another potential source of intelligence to supplement these traditional methods.[^1]

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[^1]: Schnabel, Jim. *Remote Viewers*. Dell, 1997.