The document discusses three types of photographs used in geography: 1) Ground level photographs which provide a horizontal view from the photographer's perspective and are useful for detailed study of people and places. 2) Oblique photographs taken at an angle from above to show more area but with inconsistent scale. They are used for mapping. 3) Aerial photographs taken vertically from aircraft which show whole areas with consistent scale but features are hard to recognize. Each type has advantages and disadvantages for different geographic applications.

1. Types of photographs
We will look at three types of photographs:
 Ground level/horizontal photographs
 Oblique photographs
 Aerial photographs

2. 1. GROUND LEVEL PHOTOGRAPHS
 Ground level photographs are taken
from a ground level perspective.
 The axis of the camera is tilted
horizontally when the photo is taken.
 They record exactly what a person would
see if they were standing in the place of
the photographer.
 Ground level photographs give a
horizontal view and are therefore
called horizontal photographs.
 In Geography, ground level photographs
are used when conducting a detailed
study of people and places in the world.
 Geographers use a ground level
photograph when studying a particular
part of an area, rather than analysing
spatial distribution and patterns over the
whole area.
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3. Ground Level Photographs
Advantages of ground level photographs
Ground level photographs are useful because:
 It shows the landscape in great detail.
 It’s less expensive and easier to produce than oblique and aerial photographs, since
ground level photographs do not require the use of any aircraft.
 It’s also familiar to the human eye and one doesn’t need orientation with regard to this
type of photograph.
 Things in the foreground show more detail than objects in the background.
Disadvantages of ground level photographs.
 It does not show the entire area, because objects in the front may block important
information (dead areas).
 A person's view is often blocked by tall trees, houses, hills etc.
 The scale diminishes from the foreground to the background.

4. 2. OBLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHS
low oblique
high oblique
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5. Oblique photographs are taken from a high point, which is at an angle to the area being
photographed. The angle is often referred to as a slope.
Oblique photographs are usually divided
into two main types.
• A low oblique photograph is directed
at a lower angle (normally 30°),
which means the horizon is not
visible.
• A high oblique photograph features
the horizon in the image and at a
higher angle (normally 60°).
The uses of oblique photographs are
endless.
• Cartographers use them to construct
physical and topographical maps.
• The property and construction
industries also use oblique
photographs to record and measure
properties, as well as to track the
progress of development sites.

6. OBLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHS
Oblique photographs are useful because:
 It shows more of an area than ground level photographs.
 It can also easily be assessed and understood.
 The perspective of an oblique photograph is similar to that of a conventional
(ground level) photograph, so the physical and cultural features of the landscape
are still recognisable.
 It doesn’t require the aircraft to fly directly overhead the area being
photographed.

7. OBLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHS
Disadvantages of Oblique photographs.
 The scale of the photograph is inconsistent, i.e. while the distances can be calculated
in the foreground, according to the provided scale, distances which are closer to the
horizon would be completely inaccurate if calculated using the same scale.
 Less detail in the foreground
 It would be difficult to draw maps from these photographs because it will have a
negative effect on the scale.
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8. 3. AERIAL/VERTICAL PHOTOGRAPH
 Aerial photographs are usually taken
using a camera mounted on the
bottom of an aircraft up to six
kilometers above the Earth's surface.
 Camera is tilted vertically down
 Aerial photographs are of particular
use to geographers and
cartographers.
 When taken from a relatively low
altitude, they are also used to plan
towns and structures
 It accurately measures roads and
rivers surveys the resources of an
area.
 It also shows how the physical and
cultural features of a place have
changed over time.

9. Aerial photographs
Advantages of Aerial photographs
 An aerial photograph enables the whole of an area
to be observed, rather than just a portion of it.
 The scale of an aerial photograph is relatively consistent
throughout the entire frame. This enables accurate measurements to be made
using photographs taken from this vertical view.
Disadvantages of Aerial photographs
 The point of view is unfamiliar and most features look very different when viewed
from above.
 It is very difficult to recognise ground features.