photo interpretation - from survival guide

8/4/2019 Photo Interpretation - From Survival Guide

1/11

Photograph Interpretation

C1

A photograph can be divided into 9 parts, as shown below. This division is useful for

students who are not very observant. You are advised to study the photograph in an

organized and systemic manner. The subdivisions can also be used to give location of a

specific feature.

It is important when describing photographs to:

answer the question directlydescribing physical and/or human features

use your powers of observation to note details in the photographs

apply concepts, or identifying features using their geographical terms/names, eg

boulders instead of rock.

Describe the main feature of the river and its valley, above and below the waterfall. [5]

Suggested Answer:

Background

Middle ground

Foreground

Left Centre Right

The river is in the upper course, indicative by the mountainous terrain. The riverchannel is narrow and shallow. It forms a waterfall in the centre middle ground, fallingover a vertical cliff. Beneath the plunging water is a plunge pool. The channel belowthe waterfall, in the centre foreground, has a rough and rocky bed. The river valleyabove the waterfall is a steep-sided Vshaped valley. Below the waterfall, the rivervalley is narrow and deep, forming a gorge. The sides of the valley here are verysteep.
http://www.todayscampus.com/uploads/PhotoWeek/waterfallLG.jpghttp://www.todayscampus.com/uploads/PhotoWeek/waterfallLG.jpg


2/11


C2

Qn 1: Describe the part of the coast shown in the following photographs. [4]

Qn 2: Describe the coast and the resultant impact of waves. [5]

Fig. 1

Fig. 2


3/11


C3

Qn 3: Describe the main features of the river and its valley. [5]

Qn 4: Describe the river channel and its surroundings. [5]

Fig. 3

Fig. 4


4/11


C4

Qn 5: With reference to Fig. 5,

(a) describe the river features and its valley, and

(b) describe how the valley has been altered by man. [7]

Qn 6: Describe the

(a) coastal protection measures, and

(b) beach. [7]

Fig. 5

Fig. 6


5/11


C5

Qn 7: Fig.7 is a photograph of a slope created during a road cutting.

Identify the tectonic activity that has occurred and describe the evidence. [4]

Qn 8: Describe the features of the volcanoes and the surroundings. [5]

Fig. 7

Fig. 8


6/11


C6

Qn 9: Identify the type of agricultural activity and describe how this method of

agriculture is sustainable. [6]

Qn 10: This photograph shows the conditions of a squatter settlement in India.

Describe these conditions. [4]

Fig. 9

Fig. 10


7/11


C7

Qn 11: Contrast the two housing types in this photograph. [6]

Qn 12: Describe how the area has been used for tourism. [5]

Fig. 11

Fig. 12


8/11


C8

Answers

Q1 Describe the part of the coast shown in the following photographs.

shingle beachcovered by large sediments like boulders, gravel,

pebblesno evidence of sorting of sediments.

beach is relatively steep

wavecut platform beneath the deposited beach sediments cliff in the background

o landward tilting cliff

o partially covered by vegetation, partially bare, with exposed

soil

stack in the right background

[4]

Q 2 Describe the coast and the resultant impact of waves.

high wave energy coast

beach is sandy

erosion of the waves has caused the beach in front of the building to

be eroded till its base / the sandy beach in front of the building hasbeen entirely eroded.

Centre foregroundwooded staircase left detached from the

building

building teetering on the edge of the beach, with a 1m drop off.

[5]

Q 3 Describe the main features of the river and its valley.

broad and relatively flat river valley

in the middle coursejudging on the foothills on either side of the river

valley

The valley is vegetated

The river is meandering Pronounced meandersforming narrow meander necks

In the right foregrounda tributary joins the river.

[5]

Q 4 Describe the river channel and its surroundings.

broad & shallow channel

water flow is rapid, indicated by the turbulence

Large sediments, boulders, in the river channel

Likely to be moved only during high volume of flowduring heavy

rains or when snow melts.

Water is clearindicating the scarcity of fine sediments like mud and

silt

Banks of the river is heavily vegetated, and theres even plants

growing in the river channel.

[5]

Q 5 With reference to Fig. 5,

(a) describe the river features and its valley, and

River in the lower course

River valley is very broad and flat

River is meandering

Centre middle ground - Formation of a cut off, where the meander

[7]


9/11


C9

neck has been cut through completely

The banks of the river in the foreground is vegetatedtrees lines parts

of the river banks.

In the foreground - deposition clearly seen along the convex banks of

the river forming river beaches

(b) describe how the valley has been altered by man. Right middle and back groundsettlement development

Nucleated settlement in the river valley.

Right middlegroundthe long low-rise buildings are probably meant

for light industries.

Backgroundhousing

Nucleated settlement pattern

A transport network of roads has been developed to provide

accessibility.

Q 6 Describe the

(a) coastal protection measures, and Sea wall with railing on the extreme left frame of the photograph

Left backgroundbuilding with seawall protecting it

Rock armour or rip-raplarge boulders/rocks placed against the sea

wall to reduce the erosive force of the waves

rocks also placed in a perpendicular mannerforming groynes

protruding into the sea

traps sediments being transported by longshore drift.

(b) beach.

broad, sandy beach

sediments trapped by the groynes, forming broad beaches gentle sloping beach

[7]

Q 7 Fig.7 is a photograph of a slope created during a road cutting.

Identify the tectonic activity that has occurred and describe the evidence.

Faulting

Multiple fault lines or fractures can be seen on the road cutting

the block on the middleground, between 2 faultlines, has subsided

In the middleground, there is a seam of darker band rock with a white

strip which is not aligned due to the faulting

[4]

Q 8 Describe the features of the volcanoes and the surroundings.

2 volcanoes

The one in the middle centre groundclearly defined crater,

Steep and smooth slopes

The volcano in the foregroundHeavily eroded slopes

Land immediately around the volcanoes are bare, the land is dark

from the lava

Surrounding the volcanoes, there is vegetation, shrub

[5]


10/11


C10

Q 9 Identify the type of agricultural activity and describe how this method of

agriculture is sustainable.

market gardening / growing of vegetable

high-tech methods / hydroponics

green house where the conditions of growth, eg temperature can be

controlled

PVC pipes carry the water with minerals that the roots of thevegetables are immersed in

Sustainable: little land is needed as vegetables are grown in layers

water and fertilizers are not wasted as the water flows through the

pipes and recycled

Little pesticides are needed as the vegetables are grown in a

greenhouse.

[6]

Q10 This photograph shows the conditions of a squatter settlement in India.

Describe these conditions.

make-shift housesmade of straw, canvas sheets, gunny-sack, wood,cardboard, zinc

Very small houses

houses are clustered with little space between them

few or no amenities like water, sanitation, electricity

river/stream is highly polluted with garbage

houses are dilapidated/ in disrepairroofs and walls falling apart.

[4]

Q11 Contrast the two housing types in this photograph.

Foregroundlow-rise, slums/squatter settlement

Backgroundmodern high rise

Foregroundhouses made of make-shift materials like plywood,

cardboard, plastic sheets, canvas

Backgroundproper building materials like concrete

Foregroundhouses lack amenities, eg water, sanitation, electricity

Backgroundmodern housing with amenities

[6]

Q12 Describe how the area has been used for tourism.

Ecotourismbeach resort

Bungalows on stilts built along the beach/water edgein the

foreground and middle ground

Nestled in the tropical rainforest - trees have been felled to

accommodate the bungalows

The natural environment - calm and serene - is the attraction for

tourists

Right backgroundsandy beach with some human activity, likely to

be beach activities for tourists.

Efforts made to conserve the natural environmentmost of the

bungalows built in the water to reduce the need to clear the forest.

[5]


11/11


C11

photo interpretation - from survival guide

Documents