Landscape Representation Validity: A Comparison between On-site Observations and Photographs with Different Angles of View

Abstract

Some concern about the representation validity of photographs in visual landscape assessments has been expressed in literature. Mostly, studies consider one type of representation, using the mean ratings for only one preference variable, often scenic quality. Here, validity coefficients are calculated using several landscape preference variables. Three types of stimuli are compared: the in situ landscape, panoramic and standard normal photographs. Landscape vistas were evaluated on site during field excursions. The same scenes were represented as wide angle photographs and standard normal photographs in two other questionnaires. For half of the variables measured no difference in validity could be established between the stimulus types. Standard normal photographs appeared to be more suitable for measuring certain variables. The results demonstrated that both the preference variable being measured and the landscape being evaluated can determine the type of stimulus that is most appropriate to use in questionnaires on landscape assessment.

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