Interpreting the Significance of Sea Salt Farming Landscape through Selected Photos: A Case Study of Ban Laem District, Phetchaburi Province

Abstract

The salt-pan landscape is regarded as a cultural and ecological component that reflects the identity, way of life, and local wisdom of coastal communities in Thailand. However, at present, salt-pan landscapes are facing rapid transformation due to urban development, economic changes, and the abandonment of traditional occupations, resulting in a tendency for the disappearance of original salt-pan areas in many locations. Therefore, this study aims (1) to investigate the characteristics or components of salt-pan landscapes in terms of cultural landscape and landscape ecology that are significant and worthy of conservation; (2) to select photographs of salt-pan landscapes that contain components representing cultural and ecological landscapes that merit conservation; and (3) to examine the relationship between the selected salt-pan landscape photographs and people’s attitudes toward those images.

The research methodology began with studying the cultural and ecological components of salt-pan landscapes through a literature review and collecting photographs of salt-pan landscapes that are considered worthy of conservation. These photographs were then evaluated using criteria developed from conceptual frameworks related to cultural landscapes, landscape ecology, photographic composition, and sign systems that convey meaning. The photographs with the highest and lowest scores in each category, totaling 120 images, were selected and arranged into 20 sets of image groups for evaluation by a sample group of 30 participants, without disclosing the initial scores, in order to measure their perception of the components depicted in the photographs and their sense of willingness to conserve salt-pan landscapes.

The results of the study revealed that photographs receiving high evaluation scores in terms of cultural and ecological landscape qualities tended to clearly guide viewers in perceiving the landscape components and stimulated a stronger desire for conservation. However, in some cases, photographs that received low scores were found to generate a high level of conservation interest. This was found to be related to the use of sign systems, including iconic signs, indexical signs, and symbolic signs, which helped stimulate viewers’ emotions and imagination. In addition, other technical elements such as focal distance, image color, or compositional arrangement also influenced the viewers’ perception in unpredictable ways.

The conclusion of the study indicates that meaning-making through carefully selected photographs, based on theories of cultural landscape, landscape ecology, sign systems, and compositional principles, can genuinely communicate the significant components of salt-pan landscapes to viewers and tends to enhance conservation interest. Therefore, the use of photography as a communication tool should be encouraged to raise awareness and support the sustainable conservation of salt-pan landscapes.