  We describe galaxy surface photometry based on fitting ellipses to the
isophotes of the galaxies. Example galaxies with different isophotal shapes are
used to illustrate the process, including how the deviations from elliptical
isophotes are quantified using Fourier expansions. We show how the definitions
of the Fourier coefficients employed by different authors are linked. As
examples of applications of surface photometry we discuss the determination of
the relative disk luminosities and the inclinations for E and S0 galaxies. We
also describe the color-magnitude and color-color relations. When using both
near-infrared and optical photometry, the age-metallicity degeneracy may be
broken. Finally we discuss the Fundamental Plane where surface photometry is
combined with spectroscopy. It is shown how the FP can be used as a sensitive
tool to study galaxy evolution.
