Types of geographical photograph
There are three main types of photograph. A landscape photograph shows a wide view of an area. A ground (eye-level) photograph is taken from the surface of the earth and shows the front of objects clearly. An aerial photograph is taken from an aircraft or drone; it is divided into a vertical aerial photo (from directly above, like a map) and an oblique aerial photo (from a slanted angle).
Dividing the photograph
To interpret it in an orderly way, a photograph is divided into three parts by distance and three parts by position.
- Foreground – the nearest and largest objects.
- Middle ground – the central part of the photo.
- Background – the farthest objects, which look small and hazy.
Across the photo there are also the left, centre and right parts.
Remember
Objects in the foreground look large and clear, while objects in the background look small and hazy. Use these positions to describe the location of features in the photo.
Features in a photograph
A photograph records physical features (hills, rivers, beaches, vegetation) and cultural or man-made features (buildings, roads, paddy fields, bridges). When interpreting, state the type of photo, identify the features in each part, and suggest the economic activity or land use based on the evidence seen.