Photograph description

Hi All:

I'm reviewing a technical report, that present numerous aerial photograph descriptions. Below is an example of the use of the word depict that pops up all the time: "The Site is depicted as open undeveloped land". Question: can we use the word depict in this context? i have a feeling that this verb requires an active deliberate participation of the author, which was not the case when an area was being blanket photographed from a plane. Thanks!