Flygfotografi som historisk källa: en fallstudie av köksväxtodlingens förekomst och utveckling i villaträdgårdar i Mariestad år 1961 och 1976

Abstract

Utilising aerial photography as a source material, this case study of image analysis examins the occurrence, appearance and development of kitchen gardening in residential garden sites in Mariestad in Sweden between the years 1961 and 1976. The aim of the thesis is to investigate the potential and limitations of aerial photography as a historical source, while simultaneously accumulating knowledge of kitchen gardening in residential plots. The methodological approach is an image analysis and a general literature study based on photography as a historical source material and contemporary literature from modern time and at this time about kitchen gardening. The contemporary literature studied indicates that the phenomenon of cultivating vegetables was not something modern to do. Contemporary literature at this time also agrees on that but says that there were still homeowners who wanted to grow vegetables. The results of the case study of the image analysis demonstrate that cultivation of vegetables occurs in the majority of the gardens studied during both years. Vegetable plots were usually located at the back of the properties with dimensions estimated to be usually less than half that of the area of the entire residential plot. During the 15 years between 1961 and 1976 some changes did occur. 1976 sees the reduction of vegetable patches. Cultivation of vegetable plots at the front of the property comes into play but plots do decrease in proportion. The study promotes there is a great potential of aerial photography as a historical source and there is much to suggest that they can be viewed as a pictorial representation of reality. But there are also limitations in discerning detailed information in the photographs. Aerial photography, however, is considered a valuable material in combination with other methods and materials.