Types of photos

A video outlining the different types of photographs commonly used in geography including ground, oblique air, aerial and satellite.

This video outlines the different types of photographs geographers use to observe the environment and changes to the environment over time. Animations support understanding of the different types of photographs commonly used in geography. Examples of each type of photograph are provided along with hints and tips associated with interpreting photographs accurately and avoiding common mistakes.

Watch 'Types of photos' video (3:21).

Types of photos used in geography

[Music playing]

[Screen shows a blue sky with clouds. Text on screen reads, ‘Curriculum Secondary Learners – HSIE. Types of photos. Presented by Melissa Ellis’.]

Melissa Ellis

Hello.

[Presenter is standing in front of a decorative background. In the bottom right-hand corner of the screen, the text reads, ‘Melissa Ellis. HSIE Curriculum Support Project Officer’.]

In this video, we are learning about the different types of photographs geographers use.

[Screen shows an illustration of a photographer taking a photo of a mountain range. Animated dotted lines extend from the photographer’s camera towards the mountain range to show that the photograph is being taken from ground level. Text beneath the photographer reads, ‘Ground’.]

Ground photographs are taken from the ground looking across the area being photographed.

[The screen shows an aeroplane flying above the photographer. Animated dotted lines extend from the front of the plane towards the mountain range to show that the photograph is being taken from a high angle. Text beneath the aeroplane reads, ‘Oblique’.]

Oblique air photographs are usually taken from an aeroplane or drone looking down on an area being photographed at an angle.

[The screen shows a drone hovering above the mountain range. Animated dotted lines extend from the drone towards the mountain range to show that the photograph is being taken from above. Text next to the drone reads, ‘Aerial’.]

Aerial photographs are photographs taken from a plane or drone looking straight down at an area being photographed.

[The illustration on the screen zooms out to reveal a satellite hovering above the previous figures. Animated dotted lines extend from the satellite towards the mountain range to show that the photograph is being taken from a tall height. Text next to the drone reads, ‘Satellite’.]

Satellite imagery. These are taken from a satellite looking straight down. It's important to recognise the different types of photographs in geography.

[Screen shows presenter standing in front of a decorative background.]

Different photographs illustrate different details and serve different purposes. Let's take a look at a few different examples of photographs.

[Screen shows a ground-level photograph of the 12 Apostles in Victoria. Text on screen reads, ‘Ground photograph’.]

Here we have a ground-level photograph. It shows us an area as if we are standing there looking at it. You need to be able to describe the photograph and what is happening geographically by asking questions, like what is in this photograph? What does the place show? What is interesting or important? Are there any people or activities? Do you notice anything unusual? What features in the photograph tell us about the place? How much information does this photograph provide?

[Presenter is standing in front of a decorative background. On the right of the presenter is an oblique aerial photograph of Uluru.]

Here we have an oblique air photograph. Previously, this would have been taken from a plane, but recent technological developments in drones means we're seeing more of these types of photographs. You personally may be able to use a drone to take an oblique photograph.

[The photograph of Uluru fills the screen. Text on screen reads, ‘Oblique aerial photograph’.]

How do you know you are looking at an oblique aerial photograph? Well, that's simple. It's above the ground and it's at an angle. Sometimes people confuse these with ground photographs, thinking they were taken on a mountain or a high point, so be careful with your observations on this one.

[Screen shows an aerial photograph of a canal next to a highway. Text on screen reads, ‘Aerial photograph’.]

Aerial photographs, as previously mentioned, are directly above a site. They are not satellite images.

[The screen shows a satellite photograph of New York. Text on screen reads, ‘Satellite photograph’.]

Satellite photographs are useful when observing large areas of detailed information. Here you can see a satellite image. One advantage of using satellite images from the web is they are up to date and very accurate.

[The screen shows an arrow pointing to the ocean part of the photograph. Text on screen reads, ‘Bodies of water’.]

Some common rules of thumb with satellite images is dark shaded areas are commonly bodies of water.

[Screen shows an arrow pointing to the city part of the photograph. Text on screen reads, ‘Urban spaces’.]

Light, checkerboard areas are usually urban spaces, for example suburbs or industrial areas.

[Screen shows presenter standing in front of a decorative background.]

Satellite images make it easy to observe roads, railway lines and airports. These are the best photographs to show changes over time.

So there you have it, types of photographs we use in geography.

[Text on screen reads, ‘References

  • Great Ocean Road Beach by Jason Emery CC BY-SA 2.0 commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Great_Ocean_Road_Beach_(84270811).jpg
  • Uluru taken from the air, 2017 by Reggaeh CC BY-SA 4.0 commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Uluru,_2017.jpg
  • Eluru canal and National Highway 16 by Unknown CC BY-SA 4.0 commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eluru_canal_and_National_Highway_16_near_Denduluru.jpg
  • New York Satellite Photograph by Unknown CC BY-SA 4.0 commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New_York_City_Satellite_photograph.jpg’.

Text on screen reads, ‘Acknowledgements. NSW Geography K-10 syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales 2015. See the NESA website for additional copyright information. NSW Department of Education Curriculum Secondary Learners. Southern Cross School of Distance Education.’

Screen shows an Indigenous artwork. The artwork features a landscape with native Australian animals. It is titled ‘Our Country’ by Garry Purchase. Text at the top of the screen reads, ‘Filming of these videos has taken place on Bundjalung land’. Video concludes by displaying the NSW Government logo.]

[End of transcript]

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