The present work had as its main aim a quantitative evaluation of information obtained through different types of photographs. The studies were based on panchromatic, color and color infrared photographs of a test area located in the municipality of Campinas - SP. The photographic flight was carried on by means of a scientific cooperation of INPE - Instituto de Pesquisas Espaciais, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration and IAC - Instituto Agronômico do Estado de São Paulo and was known Mission 96. The drainage was the parameter analysed, and were measured the quantity and lenght of channels. The drainage network was studied monoscopically and stereoseopically, and the measurements were made in circular samples 10 km², randomily orientated. The obtained data were used to evaluate the efficiency of every of photograph, for the studied variables. On the basis of the present study, the quantitative analysis led to the following main conclusions: a) Color infrared photography was the best in the study of the drainage network quantitative characteristics, comparatively to panchromatic and color photographs; b) The results obtained in studying drainage through the monoseopic study of infrared color photography were similar to the results of stereoscopic analysis of the panchromatic photography, wich would present a better readiness in the photointerpretation process.