Aerial Photo Interpretation
Image interpretation (in this case aerial photo interpretation) is the most basic form of analysis, consisting of manual identification of features in a remote sensing image through visual interpretation. Image interpretation is based on elements that are inherent in imagery.
Elements of Photo Interpretation
Shape
Shape is the general outline of objects. Regular geometric shapes are usually signs of human presence.
Tone/Color
Tone (variation from white to clack) or color is the relative brightness or color of elements in a photograph.
Size
The size of objects depends on the scale of the photograph, may need to use surrounding objects or known objects to help determine scale
Texture
The “smoothness" or "roughness" of image features is caused by the frequency of change of tone in photographs. Calm water has a smooth texture; a forest canopy has a rough texture