The Role of Photography and Imagery in Geography Education: Positive Impacts on Spatial Learning and Deep Understanding of Concepts

Understanding and teaching geographical concepts require tools that can present the spatial complexities and interconnections between geographical phenomena in a tangible and comprehensible manner. Photography, as one of these tools, plays a significant role in facilitating the learning process and deepening the understanding of geographical concepts.This article, using a descriptive-analytical method and library-documentary sources, examines the positive impacts of photography on spatial learning and understanding of geographical concepts, demonstrating how images can serve as an effective communication tool in geography education.The research findings indicate that photography and imagery have an inseparable link with geography and are currently utilized by many organizations or research and educational institutions, such as National Geographic, in various fields including oceans, earth, wildlife, cultures, historical sites, human ingenuity, and tourism for educational and research purposes.The study also shows that the use of photographs in the geography education process helps individuals better understand the complexities of geographical concepts and the relationships between them. Additionally, this method provides a real and visual experience of geographical areas and phenomena, creating stimulation and motivation for the individual.By creating a collection of images from different regions and experiencing the environment, this method offers a direct experience of geographical concepts and phenomena.