Types of photographs
Photographs are a record of the landscape. Ground (terrestrial) photographs are taken from the ground, either horizontally or at a slight angle. Aerial photographs are taken from aircraft or drones, and can be vertical (the camera points straight down) or oblique (the camera points at an angle). Satellite images are taken from space.
| Type | View | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Ground photograph | Side view with a foreground, middle ground and background | Study landforms, vegetation and settlements |
| Vertical aerial photograph | From directly above, like a map | Map making, land use |
| Oblique aerial photograph | From the air at an angle | Shows height and relief clearly |
| Satellite image | From space, often false colour | Weather, land cover, floods |
Elements of a photograph
Describe a photograph by dividing it into foreground, middle ground and background. Note the direction the camera faces, the scale (objects are larger in the foreground), the shadows that show the time of day, and the features present: relief, vegetation, settlements, roads and rivers.
Interpreting a photograph
Scale of an aerial photograph
Try itPhotograph scale
Choose the focal length and the flying height.
Key terms
- Aerial photograph
- A photograph taken from the air.
- Oblique
- At an angle.
- Foreground
- The part of a photograph nearest the camera.
- Satellite image
- A picture taken from a satellite.
Summary
- Photographs may be ground, aerial (vertical or oblique) or satellite.
- Divide a photograph into foreground, middle ground and background.
- Interpret by identifying, describing, relating and concluding.
- Scale = focal length ÷ flying height.