Visual Interpretation of aerial phots

Visual Interpretation Analysis of remote sensing imagery involves the identification of various targets in
an image, and those targets may be environmental or artificial features, which consist of points, lines, or
areas. Targets may be defined in terms of the way they reflect or emit radiation. This radiation is
measured and recorded by a sensor, and ultimately is depicted as an image product such as an
Observing the differences between targets and their backgrounds involves comparing different targets
based on any, or all, of the visual elements of tone, shape, size, pattern, texture, shadow, and
association.

1-Tone

Tone refers to the relative brightness or color of objects in image. Generally, tone is the fundamental
element for distinguishing between different targets or features. Variations in tone also allow the
elements of shape, texture, and pattern of objects to be distinguished.

High tonal contrasts in this Landsat image of the

Alora area (SW Spain). Villages have a very
bright tone; the agriculture, mainly over clayey
rocks (flysch), has medium greytones; the less
fertile soils overlying the metamorphic rocks
are covered by olive and almond trees and
shrub vegetation. The ultrabasic rocks show up
with a dark greytone, in part also due to
reforestation with pine trees

2-Shape

Shape refers to the general form, structure, or outline of individual objects. Shape can be a very
distinctive clue for interpretation. Straight edge shapes typically represent urban or agricultural (field)
targets, while natural features, such as forest edges, are generally more irregular in shape, except where
man has created a road or clear cuts. Farm or crop land irrigated by rotating sprinkler systems would
appear as circular shapes.
 The river (the Ebro in Spain) is spontaneous
recognized by the characteristic form of the river
channel, while the agriculture is defined by the
geometric shape and size of the fields

3-Size

Size of objects in an image is a function of scale. It is important to assess the size of a target relative to
other objects in a scene, as well as the absolute size, to aid in the interpretation of that target. A quick
approximation of target size can direct interpretation to an appropriate result more quickly. For
example, if an interpreter had to distinguish zones of land use, and had identified an area with a number
of buildings in it, large buildings such as factories or warehouses would suggest commercial property,
whereas small buildings would indicate residential use.
 large buildings such as factories or
warehouses would suggest commercial
property, whereas small buildings
would indicate residential use

4-Texture

Texture refers to the arrangement and frequency of tonal variation in particular areas of an image.
Rough textures would consist of a mottled tone where the grey levels change abruptly in a small area,
whereas some of the textures would have very little tonal variation. Smooth textures are most often the
result of uniform, even surfaces, such as fields, asphalt, or grasslands. A target with a rough surface and
irregular structure, such as a forest canopy, results in a rough textured appearance. Texture is one of the
most important elements for distinguishing features in radar imagery.

The different rock types (granite, metamorphic

rocks and meta-sediments) yield different
textures due to relief differences and variations
in vegetation coverage (Australia).

5-Pattern
Pattern refers to the spatial arrangement of visibly discernible objects. Typically an orderly repetition of
similar tones and textures will produce a distinctive and ultimately recognizable pattern. Orchards with
evenly spaced trees and urban streets with regularly spaced houses are good examples of pattern.

urban streets with regularly spaced

houses are good examples of pattern

Aerial photograph of the Montalban area (Teruel, Spain)

The typical pattern (A) associated with terracing for
agriculture. The agriculture is concentrated on the
marls, shrub (dark tone) on limestone. The variations in
land use result in a broad zoning. In the extreme SE
corner the pattern of the terracing is coinciding with the
pattern of the bedding traces.
 Pattern associated with faults and joints in
the basement rocks of the Arabian shield. A banded pattern in the vegetation
Faults show a generally larger continuity and enhancing the different rock types
they do not occur in a systematic pattern as is (limestone and marl) due to differences in
the case with joints. moisture retention.

6-Shadow

Shadow is also helpful in interpretation as it may provide an idea of the profile and relative height of a
target or targets which may make identification easier. However, shadows can also reduce or eliminate
interpretation in their area of influence, since targets within shadows are much less (or not at all)
discernible from their surroundings. Shadow is also useful for enhancing or identifying topography and
landforms, particularly in radar imagery.
 Here shadow reveals shape. Both shape and site
can be used to readily reveal its identity; in this
case the Monument also resembles a sundial. If
one knows the altitude of the Sun when the
image was acquired, then it is simple
trigonometry to calculate the height of the
monument. (North is to the right in this picture,
making this a mid-morning view, and it was
taken when renovation scaffolding was in
place.) Since the height of the Washington
Monument is well known, it the problem can be
worked in reverse to calculate the date and
time at which the image was acquired.

7-Association

Association takes into account the relationship between other recognizable objects or features in
proximity to the target of interest. The identification of features that one would expect to associate with
other features may provide information to facilitate identification. In the example given above,
commercial properties may be associated with proximity to major transportation routes, whereas
residential areas would be associated with schools, playgrounds, and sports fields. In our example, a lake
is associated with boats, a marina, and adjacent recreational land.

The distinctive curved shape of the object in this

image, the apparent difference in height of the dark
surfaces on either side of it, and other details all
suggest that it is a dam. In that context, the open
lattice structure along the bottom of the images is
much more likely to be recognized as a transformer
yard electrical station than it would be if it were not
seen in association with a nearby source of
hydroelectric power