Fieldwork Skills » Field Sketches and Photography

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

How to create effective field sketches for geographical fieldwork
Techniques for geographical photography and image annotation
When to use field sketches vs. photography in fieldwork
Methods for recording and presenting visual geographical data
How to analyse landscapes and environments using visual techniques

Introduction to Field Sketches and Photography

Field sketches and photography are essential tools for recording geographical information during fieldwork. They help you capture the key features of landscapes, settlements and processes that you're studying, creating visual evidence that can be analysed later.

Key Definitions:

Field sketch: A simple, labelled drawing made in the field that shows the main geographical features of a landscape or site.
Annotation: Labels and notes added to sketches or photographs to identify and explain key features.
Viewpoint: The location from which a field sketch or photograph is taken.
Foreground: The part of the view closest to the observer.
Background: The part of the view furthest from the observer.

Creating Effective Field Sketches

Field sketches don't need to be artistic masterpieces! They're about recording geographical information clearly. A good field sketch captures the key elements of what you can see and helps you understand the geography of a place.

📝 Why Make Field Sketches?

Field sketches are valuable because they:

Force you to observe carefully and select what's important
Help you focus on geographical features rather than just taking random photos
Allow you to simplify complex landscapes
Can be created when photography isn't possible
Can highlight specific features that might be hard to see in photos

🛠 Field Sketch Equipment

You'll need:

Clipboard or hardback notebook
Pencils (HB is good for outlines)
Eraser
Ruler (for straight lines and borders)
Coloured pencils (optional but useful)
Waterproof cover in case of rain

Steps to Create a Good Field Sketch

Choose your viewpoint - Find a spot with a clear view of the features you want to record. Note your location on a map.
Frame your view - Draw a rectangle on your page to frame what you can see.
Establish the horizon line - Draw a horizontal line to represent where the land meets the sky.
Add main outlines - Sketch the major landforms or features (hills, buildings, rivers).
Add detail - Include smaller features that are geographically significant.
Annotate - Label key features and add brief explanations.
Include a title, date and compass direction - Note which direction you're facing.
Add a scale - Give some indication of distance or size.

Field Sketch Example: Coastal Features

A field sketch of a coastline might show:

The profile of cliffs and beaches
Wave-cut platforms and other erosional features
Beach material (sand, shingle, etc.)
Sea defences or other human interventions
Vegetation patterns

Annotations would explain processes like erosion, transportation and deposition, as well as human impacts on the coastal system.

Geographical Photography

Photography allows you to capture detailed images of geographical features and landscapes quickly. Digital photography makes it easier than ever to collect visual data during fieldwork.

📷 Types of Geographical Photos

Landscape views
Close-ups of specific features
Before/after comparisons
Evidence of processes
Human impacts

💡 Photography Tips

Include scale (person/object)
Take from different angles
Consider lighting conditions
Take multiple shots
Record location of each photo

⚠ Common Mistakes

No scale reference
Poor lighting/shadows
No record of location
Random shots without purpose
Too many irrelevant features

Annotating Photographs

Just like field sketches, photographs need annotation to highlight geographical features and processes. After taking photos:

Select the most useful images that show key geographical features
Print them or use digital tools to add labels
Draw arrows pointing to important features
Add brief explanations of what each feature shows
Include information about location, direction and date

Digital tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or photo editing apps make it easy to add text and arrows to your images.

Comparing Field Sketches and Photography

🖌 Advantages of Field Sketches

Force you to observe carefully and select important features
Can simplify complex landscapes to show only what matters
Can be created in any weather or lighting conditions
Don't require batteries or technology
Can emphasise specific geographical features
Develop your observation skills

📸 Advantages of Photography

Captures detailed, accurate images quickly
Records exactly what is there without selection bias
Can take many images in a short time
Easy to share digitally
Can capture temporary features (e.g., flooding)
Can be enhanced or analysed with digital tools

The best approach is often to use both methods. Take photographs for detailed records and create field sketches to highlight the key geographical features and processes you're studying.

Using Visual Evidence in Your Fieldwork

Recording and Organising

Keep a systematic record of all visual evidence:

Number each field sketch and photograph
Record the exact location (grid reference if possible)
Note the date, time and weather conditions
Create a simple table or spreadsheet to track your visual data

Analysis and Presentation

Visual evidence is most useful when it helps you answer your fieldwork questions:

Group images by theme or location
Look for patterns or changes over time/space
Compare your visual evidence with other data you've collected
Select the most relevant images to include in your final report
Make sure all images are properly labelled and referenced in your text

Case Study: Urban Land Use Fieldwork

A student investigating land use in a town centre used both field sketches and photography to record evidence:

Field sketches showed the general layout of different building types and land uses along the high street, with annotations about building age, condition and function.
Photographs captured specific examples of different land uses, building styles, pedestrian activity and evidence of recent changes (like new developments or closed shops).

Together, these visual methods provided strong evidence for analysing how land use varied across the town centre and how it had changed over time.

Practical Tips for Fieldwork Success

Before Fieldwork

Practice sketching simple landscapes or buildings
Check your camera works and has enough storage/battery
Prepare templates for field sketches with spaces for key information
Consider the weather forecast and protect your equipment

During Fieldwork

Take time to observe before starting to sketch or photograph
Think about what each image will contribute to your investigation
Include scale in photos (a person, coin, ruler, etc.)
Take photos from the same locations as your field sketches for comparison
Record all necessary details about each image

After Fieldwork

Organise your visual evidence promptly
Complete any unfinished annotations
Select the most useful images for your report
Consider how your visual evidence supports your findings

Summary

Field sketches and photography are complementary methods for recording geographical information during fieldwork. Field sketches help you focus on key features and processes, while photography provides detailed visual records. Both require careful annotation to be useful as evidence in your fieldwork reports.

Remember, the purpose of visual evidence is to help you understand and explain geographical patterns and processes. Always think about how each sketch or photograph contributes to answering your fieldwork questions.

🧠 Test Your Knowledge!