BLM VRM Manula 8431

Manual 8431 - Visual Resource Contrast Rating

Illustration 8 - Description of the element SPACE

definition

The spatial qualities of a landscape are determined by the three-dimensional arrangement of objects and voids.

subelements

Landscape Composition - the arrangement of objects and voids in the landscape can be categorized by their spatial composition:

PANORAMIC - a broad horizontal composition, with no apparent limits to the view. Includes plains, expanses of water, and distant mountain ranges. Sky and foreground elements may occupy much of the scene.

ENCLOSED - the space is bounded by an enclosing facade of cliffs, slopes, or forest edge, creating “wall” and “floor” elements.

FEATURE - a composition dominated by a distance object or cluster of objects such as a waterfall, prominent landform, or tree.

FOCAL - converging lines in the landscape or progressions of aligned objects lead the eye to a focal area in the scene.

CANOPIED - the scene within or at the edge of a forest, where branches and foliage above eyelevel create a canopy or “ceiling.”

Some compositions, especially those which are distinctly focal, enclosed, or feature-oriented, are more vulnerable to modifications than others, depending upon how strongly the spatial configuration draws the eye to certain locations.

Spatial Position - the elevation and location of objects in the landscape relative to topography affect their prominence: high and exposed positions are more prominent than low obscured positions.

plain valley floor slope-toe

side-slope plateau/bench ridge-top

Backdrop - the backdrop against which an object is seen affects its visual contrast. Modifications seen against the sky or water are usually more prominent than against a land backdrop.

variable effects

Observer Position - the position of the observer relative to the landscape may be described as:

inferior (below) normal superior (above)

A change in position can affect the observer’s perceptions of degree of enclosure on an object’s degree of spatial dominance. Inferior positions may increase both apparent degree of enclosure and spatial dominance.

Distance - the observer’s proximity to elements will affect perception of their spatial importance. Longer viewing distances tend to reduce the impression of spacial enclosure and dominance.

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definition
The spatial qualities of a landscape are determined by the three-dimensional arrangement of objects and voids.
subelements
Landscape Composition - the arrangement of objects and voids in the landscape can be categorized by their spatial composition:
PANORAMIC - a broad horizontal composition, with no apparent limits to the view. Includes plains, expanses of water, and distant mountain ranges. Sky and foreground elements may occupy much of the scene.
ENCLOSED - the space is bounded by an enclosing facade of cliffs, slopes, or forest edge, creating “wall” and “floor” elements.
FEATURE - a composition dominated by a distance object or cluster of objects such as a waterfall, prominent landform, or tree.
FOCAL - converging lines in the landscape or progressions of aligned objects lead the eye to a focal area in the scene.
CANOPIED - the scene within or at the edge of a forest, where branches and foliage above eyelevel create a canopy or “ceiling.”
Some compositions, especially those which are distinctly focal, enclosed, or feature-oriented, are more vulnerable to modifications than others, depending upon how strongly the spatial configuration draws the eye to certain locations.
Spatial Position - the elevation and location of objects in the landscape relative to topography affect their prominence: high and exposed positions are more prominent than low obscured positions.

plain	valley floor	slope-toe

side-slope	plateau/bench	ridge-top
Backdrop - the backdrop against which an object is seen affects its visual contrast. Modifications seen against the sky or water are usually more prominent than against a land backdrop.
variable effects
Observer Position - the position of the observer relative to the landscape may be described as:

inferior (below)	normal	superior (above)
A change in position can affect the observer’s perceptions of degree of enclosure on an object’s degree of spatial dominance. Inferior positions may increase both apparent degree of enclosure and spatial dominance.
Distance - the observer’s proximity to elements will affect perception of their spatial importance. Longer viewing distances tend to reduce the impression of spacial enclosure and dominance.