7. Field sketch & Photograph

Field sketching

• • Decide on the purpose of your field sketch and note down the important details to look out for

  • Divide an A4-sized paper into nine sections and place the paper onto a clipboard as a support when you are sketching

  • Look through the sketching frame to view the area that you wish to sketch

    • Sketch the things furthest away (background) first and work towards the foreground

    • Draw the features or objects as they are seen in each section - Include only what is necessary based on the purpose of your sketch!

  • Label the features in your sketch and add notes to explain the features that you want to highlight

  • Include a title and information such as the date, time and place for future reference

  • Photographs can be taken to support your sketch and give you a reference point in the future

Advantages

• • Develops ability to observe and record important information by taking time to view and understand the landscape that is being sketched

  • Allow to add notes directly onto the sketch

Disadvantages

• • Requires more time than taking photographs

  • One field sketch cannot show changes over time

Taking photographs

• • Quick way to capture information about a landscape or feature

  • Useful for:

    • Describing the natural and/or human environment without being at the field site

    • Comparing different places easily

    • Showing how places change over time

    • Capturing actions or activities which are short-lived .e.g. people movement, traffic flow

Taking photographs

• Focus on subject by holding camera such that the subject fills the frame

• Indicate the size of the feature(s) in photograph

  • For larger features, take the photograph with people inside

  • For smaller features, place a pen or coin against the feature

  • Gives an element of scale in the photograph

• Write notes for each photograph (e.g. time, place and description) for future reference

Labels versus annotations

A label comprises one or two words that help to identify something in photographs, diagrams or maps. On the other hand, an annotation is a fairly detailed explanation or comment added to photographs, diagrams or maps to explain, elaborate or emphasize particular features. You can learn more about labels and annotations below.

Example of labels

Example of annotations

Annotations provide more details to the features that are being labelled.

Watch the video below to learn more on how to annotate a photograph.

Advantages

• • Multiple photographs can be taken to capture a feature at different angles or to allow selection of the most suitable photograph

  • Wide-angle view can be captured by taking a few photographs and using an image editing software to join the photographs together

Disadvantages

• • Capture everything and may include details that are not needed

  • One photograph cannot show motion and changes over time