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Elements of Interpretation

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10 views3 pages

Elements of Interpretation

Uploaded by

itsmesattuu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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ELEMENTS OF INTERPRETATION

Location

There are two primary methods to obtain a precise location in the form of
coordinates. 1) survey in the field by using traditional surveying techniques
or global positioning system instruments, or 2) collect remotely sensed data
of the object, rectify the image and then extract the desired coordinate
information. Most scientists who choose option 1 now use relatively
inexpensive GPS instruments in the field to obtain the desired location of an
object. If option 2 is chosen, most aircraft used to collect the remotely
sensed data have a GPS receiver.

Size

The size of an object is one of the most distinguishing characteristics and


one of the most important elements of interpretation. Most commonly,
length, width and perimeter are measured. To be able to do this successfully,
it is necessary to know the scale of the photo. Measuring the size of an
unknown object allows the interpreter to rule out possible alternatives. It has
proved to be helpful to measure the size of a few well-known objects to give
a comparison to the unknown-object. For example, field dimensions of
major sports like soccer, football, and baseball are standard throughout the
world. If objects like this are visible in the image, it is possible to determine
the size of the unknown object by simply comparing the two.

Shape

There is an infinite number of uniquely shaped natural and man-made


objects in the world. A few examples of shape are the triangular shape of
modern jet aircraft and the shape of a common single-family dwelling.
Humans have modified the landscape in very interesting ways that has given
shape to many objects, but nature also shapes the landscape in its own ways.
In general, straight, recti-linear features in the environment are of human
origin. Nature produces more subtle shapes.
Shadow

Virtually all remotely sensed data are collected within 2 hours of solar noon
to avoid extended shadows in the image or photo. This is because shadows
can obscure other objects that could otherwise be identified. On the other
hand, the shadow cast by an object act as a key for the identification of the
object as the length of the shadow will be used to estimate the height of the
object which is vital for the recognition of the object. Take for example, the
Washington Monument in Washington D.C. While viewing this from above,
it can be difficult to discern the shape of the monument, but with a shadow
cast, this process becomes much easier. It is a good practice to orient the
photos so that the shadows are falling towards the interpreter. A
pseudoscopic illusion can be produced if the shadow is oriented away from
the observer. This happens when low points appear high and high points
appear low.

Tone and color

Real-world materials like vegetation, water and bare soil reflect different
proportions of energy in the blue, green, red, and infrared portions of the
electro-magnetic spectrum. An interpreter can document the amount of
energy reflected from each at specific wavelengths to create a spectral
signature. These signatures can help to understand why certain objects
appear as they do on black and white or color imagery. These shades of gray
are referred to as tone. The darker an object appears, the less light it reflects.
Color imagery is often preferred because, as opposed to shades of gray,
humans can detect thousands of different colors. Color aids in the process of
photo interpretation.

Texture

This is defined as the “characteristic placement and arrangement of


repetitions of tone or color in an image.” Adjectives often used to describe
texture are smooth (uniform, homogeneous), intermediate, and rough
(coarse, heterogeneous). It is important to remember that texture is a product
of scale. On a large scale depiction, objects could appear to have an
intermediate texture. But, as the scale becomes smaller, the texture could
appear to be more uniform, or smooth. A few examples of texture could be
the “smoothness” of a paved road, or the “coarseness” a pine forest.
Pattern

Pattern is the spatial arrangement of objects in the landscape. The objects


may be arranged randomly or systematically. They can be natural, as with a
drainage pattern of a river, or man-made, as with the squares formed from
the United States Public Land Survey System. Typical adjectives used in
describing pattern are: random, systematic, circular, oval, linear, rectangular,
and curvilinear to name a few.

Height and depth

Height and depth, also known as “elevation” and “bathymetry”, is one of the
most diagnostic elements of image interpretation. This is because any object,
such as a building or an electric pole that rises above the local landscape will
exhibit some sort of radial relief. Also, objects that exhibit this relief will
cast a shadow that can also provide information as to its height or elevation.
A good example of this would be buildings of any major city.

Site/situation/association

Site has unique physical characteristics which might include elevation,


slope, and type of surface cover (e.g., grass, forest, water, bare soil). Site can
also have socioeconomic characteristics such as the value of land or the
closeness to water. Situation refers to how the objects in the photo or image
are organized and “situated” in respect to each other. Most power plants
have materials and building associated in a fairly predictable manner.
Association refers to the fact that when you find a certain activity within a
photo or image, you usually encounter related or “associated” features or
activities. Site, situation, and association are rarely used independent of each
other when analyzing an image. An example of this would be a large
shopping mall. Usually there are multiple large buildings, massive parking
lots, and it is usually located near a major road or intersection.

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