High reflectance tends to create images with light patterns, for example, sand, bare rock, or roads. Vegetation varies from light to dark depending on species. Vegetation is much more reflective in IR band and may appear lighter. Areas blocked from radar signal appear dark. Closest to our perceived notion on natural color images but may appear washed-out.
Time of day has a great deal of influence as do shadows.
False color images use different color to represent a reflectance from light wave not visible to humans. For example, red to represent vegetation. In this photograph of Washington, D.C. note the red color used to portray vegetation. Also note shape of Pentagon in lower portion of image. Closely tied to scale.