232 This section considers which, how, why and by whom photographs, wirelines and photomontages should be used.
233 To record the baseline conditions of a view, a
photograph is required to be presented within the ES. In addition, a wireline diagram is required to indicate the position, scale and shape of proposed wind turbines. Photomontages can also be useful, to provide an impression of visual impacts and help people to interpret the judgements of the landscape architect or experienced specialist assessor, especially if they have less familiarity and/or experience of the particular landscape in question and how windfarms appear in different conditions. However
photomontages can only illustrate how a windfarm would appear in a photograph of a development, not how it would appear in reality as discussed in
paragraph 119.
234 The choice of viewpoints to be illustrated using photomontages in addition to wireline diagrams may be impossible to determine until after the initial stages of VIA, although many practitioners observe that it is predictably difficult to produce clear photographs, and thus photomontages, of windfarms from distances over 15km. It is recommended that the local planning authority and SNH are consulted regarding the final choice of visualisations for each viewpoint wherever possible.
235 In the past, there was often some dissatisfaction with the convention of presenting visualisations from separate viewpoints as a triple arrangement comprising a photograph of the existing view and corresponding wireline diagram and photomontage as shown in figure 34 opposite. This was no fault of the visualisation arrangement per se, but because it is not possible to present the triple visualisation at A3 paper Photo of existing view
Wireline diagram Photomontage
Figure34: The triple arrangement of
size while satisfying recommended image height and viewing distance criteria (paragraphs 126 and 129). This resulted in three key problems:
• the image was not clear because it was too small to represent the required amount of detail (discussed further in Appendix D);
• the image was held at the correct viewing distance, but this was too close to be viewed comfortably; or
• more commonly, the image was naturally held by the viewer at a comfortable distance, but this was not at the defined viewing distance so that the geometry of the image was incorrect and thus the image scale (and the elements seen within it) was viewed incorrectly.
Nevertheless, the triple format is a useful arrangement and should still be considered as one method for visualisation presentation when using sheets over A3 size, as described within Table 15 and shown in figures 38 and 40.
236 It is important to highlight that the production of different visualisations involves varying levels of data interpretation. Wirelines are based purely on objective data and thus, if only these are used to carry out visual analysis on site, there is a very clear, simple and direct relationship between the data and judgements made. In contrast, the production of photomontages
incorporates a much more complex process of judgements in order to construct and render these, similar to any artistic illustration. In this way, although the scale siting and geometry of photomontages can be technically measured, the other qualities of the image will vary in relation to the skill and experience of the illustrator.
237 The difference between photomontages and wirelines in terms of the nature of information they convey and how this informs judgements, was considered by the University of Newcastle (2002). They state
over) estimation of visibility and visual effect, compared to photomontages….”.
238 Photomontages are discussed in more detail within the separate section on these within paragraphs 202-220. The proportion of viewpoints illustrated using
photomontages within an ES will vary, depending on the specific characteristics of the proposed
development and the landscape and visual resource; however ESs within Scotland commonly include
photomontages for around one third of the viewpoints illustrated.
239 In certain circumstances, ‘regular’ photomontages (which are based upon a 50mm lens or equivalent) may be supplemented by a telephoto photomontage. This is where the photograph of the existing view is taken using a telephoto lens (as described in paragraph 155). Normally this would provide no benefit over a photo taken with a standard 50mm lens (or digital equivalent) and enlarged to a sufficient image size and comfortable viewing size, as shown by figure 21. However, in specific circumstances, the additional detail shown in a telephoto photograph can help compensate for the lack of shade differentiation able to be illustrated upon the printed page (refer to paragraph 134). These circumstances tend to occur where a windfarm would be seen in the very far distance against the sky. In these instances, the benefits may compensate for the disadvantage that this creates in terms of having to view an image at a very long viewing distance (figure 22c) and that this distance will vary from other visualisations produced for the same viewpoint.
240 It is important to stress that visualisations should never be used as a substitute to visiting a viewpoint. They remain only a tool for assessment - that is as an image that can be compared with an actual view of the landscape while other elements of the landscape experience can also be appreciated that are unable to
Figure 35: Use of a comfortable viewing distance
At a comfortable viewing distance (400 - 500mm) the viewer can alternate their view between the existing landscape and the visualisation, easing direct comparison and thus judgements on the proposed effect.
At a short viewing distance (300mm or less) the viewer can only either see the visualisation in front of them, or the existing view - not both. Thus direct comparison is less easy.
be incorporated within a two dimensional picture. To allow this use, it is recommended that visualisations should either be available to be taken out on site by the individual or, alternatively, are mounted upon boards out on site, as illustrated in figure 36. Because of a risk of vandalism or theft, the latter arrangement may be possible during organised visits only.
241 Table 13 sets out the various applications of visualisations by different users, while figure 37 indicates the process by which different visualisations may be chosen
.
Figure 36: Visualisation mounted on a board on site in order to provide a direct comparison with present conditions.
(Image courtesy Stuart Young Consulting)
Figure 37: Process of choosing visualisations for each individual viewpoint
(subject also to consultation and agreement with the Planning Authority and SNH).
39 degrees or under (based on using eg 50mm Over 39 degrees (based on using eg 50mm lens or equivalent) 29 degrees or over (based on using eg 70mm lens or equivalent) Telephoto photomontage may be provided in addition to ‘regular’ photomontage.
Is it possible to clearly illustrate impacts within a photomontage (for example is the development close enough to the viewpoint)?
Yes
Wireline and photograph of
existing view
No
What is the purpose of the visualisation?
To inform the professional process of
VIA only To illustrate predicted visual impacts to a wide audience
No Yes
Are there likely to be significant visual impacts?
Photomontage*
What is the typical field of view that is able to show the key characteristics of the visual resource?
Single frame photomontage*
Panoramic photomontage*
Table 13: Use of visualisations within VIA
User Process Visualisation* Use Basis of judgement Judgement
Landscape Architect or Experienced Specialist Assessor LVIA as part
of EIA Wireline On site comparison with visual resource Professional knowledge and experience of Visual Impact Assessment (VIA), windfarms, and how wireline visualisations compare with built windfarms Judgements of visual impact magnitude and significance of effect to be reported in ES Photomontage On site comparison with visual resource Professional knowledge and experience of VIA, windfarms, and how photomontage visualisations compare with built windfarms
For general information only, not usually basis of professional judgement Officer from Planning Authority or Consultee Assessment
of ES Wireline On site comparison
with visual resource
Knowledge and experience of the landscape,
windfarms, and how wireline
visualisations compare with built windfarms Confirmation of judgements made in LVIA part of ES Photomontage On site comparison with visual resource Knowledge and experience of the landscape,
windfarms, and how photomontage visualisations compare with built windfarms
Supplementary information to help illustrate the likely visual impacts of the windfarm in its landscape setting in addition to
associated
developments and/ or land use change
Determining
authority Assessment of ES Wireline On site comparison with visual resource or, of lesser value, in comparison with photo of existing visual resource Advice from planning officers. Variable experience of the landscape and windfarms. Assess planning officers’ report regarding confirmation of judgements made in LVIA part of ES Photomontage On site comparison with visual resource or, of lesser value, in comparison with photo of existing visual resource Advice from planning officers. Variable knowledge and experience of the landscape and windfarms.
Supplementary general information to help illustrate the likely visual impacts of the windfarm in its landscape setting in addition to associated
developments and/ or land use change
Member of
the public Understanding of ES and general visual effect of proposed development Wireline Access to ES only likely to occur in public building, thus comparison with photo of existing visual resource Variable background knowledge on the landscape and visual impacts of windfarms. General indication of the likely visibility, scale and form of the wind turbines. Photomontage Access to ES only likely in public building, thus in comparison with photo of existing visual resource. Variable background knowledge on the landscape and visual impacts of windfarms. Supplementary information to help illustrate the likely appearance of the windfarm.
* Telephoto photomontages may also be produced and used in specific circumstances as supplementary information as described in paragraph 239.