Image Interpretation

Florence A. Galeon
College of Engineering
U.P. Diliman
Outline

I. Introduction
II. Elements of Interpretation
III. Photo/Image Scale
IV. Interpretation at Various Scale
V. Land Use/Cover Classification System

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Introduction

 Although most individuals have had

substantial experience in interpreting
“conventional” photographs in their daily
lives, the interpretation of airphotos or
satellite images often departs from everyday
image interpretation in three important
respects:

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1. the portrayal of features from an overhead,
often unfamiliar, perspective

Conventional Photograph versus Aerial Photograph

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2. the frequent use of wavelengths outside of
the visible portion of the spectrum

False Color Composite Images

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3. the depiction of the earth's surface at
unfamiliar scales and resolution

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Conventional Photograph Versus Satellite Image

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Image Interpretation Elements

 Shape*  Tone or hue*

 Size*  Texture*
 Pattern*  Association
 Shadow*  Site
Tone or Color

Refers to the relative brightness or color of objects on

images. Without tonal differences, shapes, patterns,
textures and shadows could not be discerned.
 Tone or Color

We associate specific tones to particular features.

Tones change when image enhancements are
made or when different band combinations are used.

Tone and color are used to identify agricultural fields.

The fields with crops or harvested are clearly
separated by their tones and colors. Also note the
tone difference shown on the bare fields indicating
different soil moisture contents.
 Shape
Refers to the general form, configuration, or outline
of individual objects (e.g. circular/rectilinear shape
indicates human influence)
 Shape

Low-altitude photograph of the Pentagon Multi-runway airfield used by

Building, headquarters of the US carrier-based pilots for practicing
Department of Defense short takeoffs and landings
(Broward County, Florida)
Shape

Alluvial fans along the east side of Death

Valley, California. Alluvial fans can be
easily recognized by their fan shape and
Some man-made features have
adjacency to mountain fronts.
unique shapes.
Ground view of the Great Pyramids, Egypt.
 Shape

Ground view of alluvial fans at the north

of Turpan Depression, Xinjiang, China.

Alluvial fans at the north of Turpan

Depression, Xinjiang, China.
Shape

Center-pivot irrigation system in

Morrow County, Oregon. Most of
the fields are planted with wheat.

Rectilinear and circular features indicate

human influence (e.g. agriculture)
Size

Size of objects on photographs or images must be

considered in the context of the photo scale.
Relative Size vs Absolute Size
 Size

Panchromatic photo of Bangkok, 1982. Size of a house is often a good

Note the size of buildings tends to indicate interpretation key for type and
the nature and usage of them. price of a house
Pattern
Relates to the spatial arrangement of objects. The
repetition of certain general forms of relationship is
a characteristic of many objects and aids in
recognizing them.
Shadow
Provides the interpreter an impression of the profile
view of the objects which aids interpretation. It could
also hinder interpretation for objects within shadows
reflect a little light.
 Shadow

Shadow shown with low sun angle

is the key to the interpretation of
the shape of Mt. Everest.

Accentuates relief and

feature shape
 Shadow

High-rise
building (long
shadow)

Low-rise
Powerline building (short
transmission shadow)
towers
Texture

The frequency of tonal change on the image. It

determines the visual “smoothness or coarseness”
of image features.
 Texture
Forests: spectrum of
textures
Grasslands: typically have
very fine textures
Shrublands: have medium
textures
 Association

Refers to the occurence of certain features in relation

to others.
Association

Logging activities
(tree drags)
Site

Refers to the topographic or geographic location

and is particularly important in the identification of
vegetation types.
 Site
Sea Port at Kowloon Peninsula of Hong Kong.
Location or site narrows the
The site is characterized by regular shore line
possible cover types.
and large concrete area of loading zones.
Relative location useful in
The extensive transportation network also a
determining land use.
good key to identify the port.
Photo/Image Scale

It affects the level of useful information that

can be extracted from aerial photographs or
satellite images.

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Interpretation at Various Scales

 What would be easier to interpret – an image with

smaller scale or an image with larger scale?
Interpretation at Various Scales

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Interpretation at Various Scales

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Interpretation at Various Scales

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