MY CREATIVE PROCESS
TECHNIQUES
PHOTOGRAPHY
My experience with photography developed over the course of this project. I learned the best ways to make use of the exposure settings, weather patterns, the stability of my position, and the viewpoints which I took. Due to many complications with accessibility and time constraints, I often had to improvise, which was challenging at times, but it resulted in photos of pretty interesting locations. Working on this exhibit has improved my understanding of the medium, and my ability to take consistently good-looking pictures.
CURATION
The way that I've turned a glorified photo dump into a snapshot of Maryland is through categorization and purging. I made use of a technique I learned through the Scholars practicums that I attended, called "killing my darlings." It's simple, but in essence, it requires me to discard the more complex, intricate ideas that would take far too long and use far too many resources, and opt for a simpler, more focused approach to the project. With this, I was able design this exhibit in a digestible way.
Attention Management
Attention management was key for my capstone project, because there was simply so much to do. Some of the strategies included making a detailed plan, doing all my research in advance, and having a weekly schedule to adhere to. Luckily, the timeframe I had to work with meant that there was just enough pressure for me to stick to such a plan-- thus facilitating my workflow. Creating an exhibit that represents an entire state is no small feat, but it was doable, thanks to the consistent understanding of what was left to do.
MY RESEARCH PROCESS
LITERATURE REVIEW
My research began by selecting a county and reading about its towns, cities, and other places of note. Usually Wikipedia or the county's website would provide a good starting point. Then I would delve into the National Register of Historic Places to find out details about the county, and discover the historical and contemporary significance of the listings. That would usually be the process by which I selected places to photograph, but of course, I'd have to discard a few, because of limited time and space.
FINDING WHAT'S UP IN MARYLAND
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
As I mentioned before, the Nation Register of Historic Places saved me a few times when I wasn't sure where to go next. Many places were not all too interesting or significant for this project, but it was a very helpful and valuable resource.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Often, the places I'd visit to photograph would have some easily accessible information that gave me a good background, and it really helped guide my research process for my exhibits.