Association in image interpretation
Topic: Remote Sensing, GIS and GNSS · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 6 "Introduction to Remote Sensing"
Meaning
Association in image interpretation means identifying an object by the things it is usually found with and by where it sits. It is a terrain characteristic, so it uses the surroundings rather than the look of the object alone. An interpreter asks: "What lies next to this, and does that make sense?" Association helps when tone, shape or size alone cannot settle what an object is.
Example
In an image of a large Indian city such as Mumbai, a large building with an open playground next to it in a housing area is probably a school. Crowded, irregular huts along drains and railway lines are likely to be slums.
Don't confuse with
- Pattern: the repeated layout of the features themselves, such as evenly spaced orchard trees. Association is the link between a feature and its neighbours.
Related concepts
- Aerial photograph
- Digital image
- Pixel
- Digital number
- Digital image processing
- False colour composite
- Visual image interpretation
- Elements of visual interpretation
- Tone
- Texture