A pattern with consequences
A brick elevation is both a surface pattern and a clue to assembly. A stretcher shows the long face of a brick; a header shows the short face. In some wall types those faces reveal how units connect through the thickness. In others, cut units or a veneer can produce a similar appearance. Do not assume wall construction from the front alone.
Begin with a small patch away from an opening. Count how the vertical joints move from one course to the next. Then look at a corner, where the pattern has to make a decision. The corner often explains more than the centre of the wall.
Mortar is part of the elevation
The width, color, and profile of a mortar joint change how brickwork reads in light. A recessed joint gives each unit more shadow; a flush joint can make the wall feel more continuous. These are descriptive observations, not a rule that one profile is best in every exposure.
Look for variations around repairs. A patch of similar bricks with different mortar can remain conspicuous. Record the relationship rather than judging the repair from color alone; compatibility involves more than appearance and depends on the existing construction.
Openings reveal the system
Above a window, look for an arch, a lintel, or another visible means of support. At the sill, observe the slope and projecting edge. Note how the bond approaches the opening and whether the units change size. A close sketch can preserve these transitions better than a distant photograph.
Use the same observation headings on several walks: unit, bond, joint, opening, base. Comparisons then become easier. For conservation or repair decisions, consult project-specific guidance and a competent practitioner rather than extrapolating from a street photograph.