Junior Cycle Geography CYCLONE How to Sketch an Aerial Photograph Use the following steps to correctly sketch an aerial photograph:
1 Draw a four-sided border or frame for your sketch. This must be the same shape as the aerial photograph you are sketching. Unless instructed otherwise, make the frame half the scale of the original (half the length and half the width).
2 Divide the photograph you are sketching into sections. Do likewise with your frame (figure 4). These sections will help you to better locate and sketch features of the aerial photograph.
3 Always draw important features such as the coastline, skyline and horizon (the line in the background where the sky touches the land or water) on your sketch map. This will also help you to sketch features in their correct location on your map.
4 Title your sketch map, e.g. ‘Sketch of [Name of location] Aerial Photograph’.
5 Label all features you are asked to sketch in the question.
4. Segmenting a photograph and drawing a sketch map
Tips!
» Always sketch with a pencil. » Insert all features asked for.
» If asked to draw houses, buildings or industrial estates, draw the outline shape of them.
» Allow plenty of room to properly label your features. » Draw double lines for roads and rivers. » Use colours sparingly. » Never attempt to trace a photograph you are asked to sketch.