Seeking creativity

Creativity - the ability to produce original and unusual ideas, or to make something new or imaginative (Cambridge University Press, n.d.). Universal in its nature, but so complex when examined in more depth the concept of creativity is the main object of study in this thesis. In this work, I start with exploring creativity in general, I ask a question if we can train creativity – is creativity gained or inherited? Because there is no unequivocal answer to this question, I soon realize I’m more interested in the creative process itself. I follow the creative problem-solving model stages: preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification to explore how the creative process works. This is my attempt to connect photography and science as I see it. I’m following creative problem-solving model steps to generate my artwork. By assigning specific actions to each of the stages, I create artwork in 4 chapters. Each chapter is my interpretation of theoretical events in the corresponding stages. In the thesis I rationale my work with a scientific background, I explain how each of my steps supports the creative problem-solving model. I conclude that the most important stage of the creative problem-solving model for artists is the incubation stage. In this stage, only subconscious work is present, and the best results can be achieved by doing mental relaxation or even physical work. I suggest forced use of this stage and even using some idea-generation methods to achieve the desired result faster.