What are your favorite "concrete" ways to build a world... and what makes them so enjoyable?

I know this is a bit of a vague question, but I'm hoping others will be able to make it more specific.<br><br>I personally find that the best way to build a world is through concrete, tangible objects that spark the imagination. For example - an old photograph, a map, a newspaper clipping, a printed ticket stub, etc. I think those types of items really help you think about the cultures, histories, and personalities of different characters and locations in a fictional world. But I'm not sure why those items in particular are more helpful than others. <br><br>For example, a photograph provides a lot of information about a character's relationships, personality, and experiences. But there are also many, many other objects that could convey just as much information. What is it about photographs that makes them so useful for sparking the imagination when it comes to worldbuilding? <br><br>I've also run across a number of different worldbuilding methods online - e.g. starting with a broad history and then narrowing down, starting with a character and then expanding outward, working backward from a specific event, etc. But I'm curious to hear more about people's personal techniques for getting started on a project.