Spontaneous recognition

Spontaneous recognition refers to the ability of an interpreter to identify objects or features at first glance. Most people can directly relate what they see on an aerial photo to the terrain features of the place where they live (because of “scene knowledge”). The statement made by people that are shown an aerial photograph of their living environment for the first time, “I see because I know”, is rooted in spontaneous recognition.

Consider for a moment the Figure below. Agronomists would immediately recognize the pivot irrigation systems from their circular shape. They are able to do so because of earlier (professional) experience.