A New Order Adaptation to a New Skill, Culture, and City
erin m. murphy Roma 2012 Summer
Niccolò Machiavelli The Prince 1513
“It ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.”
The Beginning Spanish Steps
Introduction A Broken Routine
I recognized on this trip that somehow I had fallen into a routine. I suppose the routine itself wasn’t so much of a danger: I met famliar challenges with the patience and confidence garnered throughout past experiences, and I wasn’t weighed down by the distraction that is insecurity. Most concerning to me was that I had a routine.
Extraction from the monotony was a necessary resolution. I was driven to explore new skills and quickly adapt to change. At times, I would feel out of place and inept in my talents and exposure to this new culture. When I was able to make sense of the chaos of the situation, I was more confident as a designer, and eager as a traveler.
Introduction A Broken Routine
I set about embracing this change. I set about tailoring my talents to make the most of the experience. We were met with high expectations for documentation of our experience. The most satisfaction I experienced was when the challenge became a new form of perception.
Rush Train to Rome
Overexposure The Potential
OVEREXPOSURE
There was so much stimulation in the sites we explored. Colors, lighting, motion... It was easy to distort.
Castel Sant’ Angelo ISO 800, 1/1600, f 5.6, 18mm
Overexposure The Potential
Top Left Shamed, Centrale Montemartini Top Right So Far from Home, Perugia Look Out Bottom Left Beautiful Light, Jewish Ghetto
Adapting to the Experience:
I soon understood how to parallel what I saw with what my camera saw. There were alternative perspectives to the world and I was capable of capturing them.
Overexposure The Potential
End of the Line, Termini Station
Enlighting The Technicalities
ENLIGHTING
My camera would click and adjust in the dark corridors of churches. There was always a feeling of defeat when the lighting was too obscure to capture the image.
Castel Sant’ Angelo ISO 200, 8.0s, f 6.3, 18mm
Enlighting The Technicalities
Left Music, San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane Top Right Modern Worship, Jubilee Church Bottom Right Exterior Glow, Jubilee Church
Adapting to the Experience:
Photography was a technical practice. I was developing a working schema of how to adjust my camera within various spaces.
The Front, San Giovanni Laterano
Enlighting The Technicalities
Left Looking Up, Sant Andea della Valle Top Right Looking to the Dome, San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane Bottom Right Enter Church, Santa Maria in Campitelli
Serendipitous The Exploration
SERENDIPITOUS
I was happy with the image, but I had no idea how the end product was achieved. I wanted more control.
Cinque Terre ISO 100, 30s, f 6.3, 18mm
Serendipitous The Exploration
Adapting to the Experience:
I started experimenting with the camera and learned to enjoy exploration of the technicalities.
Spread Self Portraits, San Gimignano People from Left to Right Katherine Wong, Dan Doan, Molly Boyd Aaron Calzado, Stefani Bartz, Kaitlan Hamby, Tyson Brady, Taylor Nelson
Top Left Man in Train Station, Termini Station Top Right Moped + Horse, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II Bottom Right Bus, Bus to Tivoli Bottom Left Sunset, Piazza de Popolo Look Out
Serendipitous The Exploration
Good Morning, San Gimignano
Capturing The Redefinition
CAPTURING
The technical skills and intrigue in the potential of my photography allowed ultimate freedom in capturing my own story.
Termini Station ISO 400, 1/50, f 11, 220mm
Top Left Blurred, Piazza Navona Top Right Tuscan Sun, San Gimignano Bottom Right Arrival in Rome, Termini Station Bottom Left Fresh Walk, Santa Chilara
Looking Above, St. Peter’s Square
Adapting to the Experience:
I can capture what I see and question what I know. I feel comfortable in this familiar place.
The Ending Spanish StepsWv
Dedication
Mom, Dad, Laura, and Abby Production Copyright All work © Erin Murphy Camera Canon T1i Duration August 21—September 22 Program University of Washington, Design in Rome
Construction Cover Fabric by Legatoria Artistica Typeface Trade Gothic + Clarendon