Photography – Page 2 – Jonathon Seagull Blog

London in Black and White

London is many things, light and dark. Perhaps nowhere else in England embodies the intersection between chaotic creation and destruction like this monolithic metropolis, that 8.6 million people call home.

There is something foreboding about London; to feel a little intimidated by ‘The Big Smoke’ is a sign of wisdom. The idea of London as the epicentre of historic dominion and oppression remains. You can very much feel the ghost of the terror and darkness that once inhabited the streets; lasting darkness of the kind immortalised in the poetry of William Blake. And everywhere little reminders lay, like the hopeless inequality which hangs heavy and leaden over this place. I have resisted London, although I cannot deny the cultural weight which is here.

In a city of such enormous contrast and energy, it felt right to take photos in black and white. My close friend William and I packed our bags, and set off into the mass.

William looks out from the Switch House tower. Tate Modern, London

A Day in Bristol

I have been going to Bristol infrequently for some time now, and every time I do it is a different experience. There are so many areas, and hidden places to find. Without fail, it is an exciting place to be. My good friend Aimee and I wanted to take a day to dreamily delve into this varied city.

__8_00008 — City Hall, Bristol (F) Fuji Superia

_12_00012 — We made a brief stop in Arch House Deli for something to eat. (F) Fuji Superia

_14_00014 — Browsing through some of the kooky little shops in The Clifton Arcade. (F) Fuji Superia

__9_00009 — …. okay, so maybe a bit more than just browsing in Papersmiths. (F) Fuji Provia

_19_00019 — We summoned some gusto, to head up and over the suspension bridge. (F) Fuji Superia

_22_00022 — We finally laid back on the sofa in ANNA Cake Couture. (F) Fuji Superia

_21_00021 — Over what you might call a cup of fancy tea, we savoured the last moments of the afternoon. (F) Fuji Superia

Cuckmere Haven

I had really wanted to go back to Cuckmere Haven, having been there several times before. There is definitely something special about the place. Located somewhere between the towns of Eastbourne and Seaford, this is where Sussex runs into the ocean.

The river Cuckmere flows in sinews through the grassy flood plain, and isolates green islets, dotted all over with sheep. There are footpaths which lead down and around it, and out to the sea. A pebble beach gazes across at the chalk cliffs called the Seven Sisters.

I took some photos while I wandered about the place.

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December in Black and White

The title is not exactly true. This series was shot all through November, December and January. I worked in black and white because I think that, whereas a colour photograph is often real and immersive, a monochrome frame brings out a distinct otherness. It’s still real, but it is more honest that it is a representation of the real. You can be drawn in, but never get too close, as though a sheen has been drawn across reality. December represents the end of the year, but also the end of a lot of other things that are important to me. I see it as perfect that I decided long before, unaware, to use this format. December was some kind of full stop, or maybe an ellipsis.

_37_00650 — St Nicholas Market, Bristol (F) Ilford XP2

_27_006404 — Bath Spa University, Newton Park (F) Ilford XP2

_28_00066 — Climbing stairs, with Joseph – Bath Spa University, Newton Park (F) Ilford HP5+

_24_006377 — Bath Spa University, Newton Park (F) Ilford XP2

_13_00058878 — Terrace Walk, Bath (F) Ilford HP5+

_30_00643 — Cocoa and magazines – Cafe W, Bath (F) Ilford XP2

_12_00625j — Kingsmead Square, Bath (F) Ilford XP2

Magalleria

This little boutique magazine vendor first opened up its doors in August 2015, and I’ve been enchanted ever since. Magalleria have followed a minimal model; create a beautifully clean, welcoming space and stock only the highest quality and most aesthetically fascinating print products. After stumbling upon a shop called Magazine Brighton, it stuck out that the city of Bath really deserved a similar space, and happily Magalleria’s chief owner Daniel felt the same. Since the project started, it has been steadily stocking up on a list of publications from around the globe, which include the locally produced magazines Cereal and Another Escape. Tucked away on Broad Street, you might easily walk past without noticing that it’s there. If you do get the opportunity, I wouldn’t hesitate to nip in and say hello (and if your anything like I am, impulsively buy a title).

A fraction of the titles on offer. (F) Fuji Provia — (F) Fuji Superia

Magalleria's owner, Daniel. (F) Fuji Provia — Owner Daniel. (F) Fuji Superia

Havana Breakfast Club

A group of guys who hang out and play each other electronic music is growing into something bigger. They call themselves Havana Breakfast Club, and all currently hail from the city of Bath. Not long ago, somebody put one of their mixing sessions out on YouTube, and people liked it, so they’re doing it again. A friend of mine invited me round while they set up for a live stream, and got some music going in the background.

What was the first thing that happened when I walked in? Fish through a little box of records and put the needle to vinyl. (F) Fuji Superia

Relaxing and listening to music is just a way of life to some people, and everything is about an almost intangible feeling. (F) Fuji Superia

These guys do not skimp on sound equipment. But then, when your playing out records that perhaps only a handful of people get to hear, they deserve to be heard in all clarity. (F) Fuji Superia

This is the symbol of Havana Breakfast Club. Electronic music follows this sign everywhere it goes. (F) Fuji Superia

Taking turns to choose tracks is all part of the Breakfast Club experience. (F) Fuji Superia

The laid back, strung out atmosphere means you always feel involved in the Havana Breakfast Club mixes. (F) Fuji Superia

A Story In Photos: Switzerland

The Switzerland trip began as an opportunity to go and visit an old friend, and morphed into a parallel opportunity to go and fulfil every cliché about Switzerland that we could haphazardly compile into a list. Skiing, snow capped mountains fondant, pristine hillside country and the clean, regimented furore of Zurich were what we expected, and most of that didn’t happen or changed. It was a great time just the same. Myself and good friend Madison would fly out together, to be met by our old university hall-mate Laura.

I shot all of these pictures exclusively in medium format, here below is a brief window into our time in Switzerland.

On the very first evening, the countryside welcomed us with this enormous expanse of fire tinted sky. (F) Fuji Velvia — On the very first evening, we were welcomed with this enormous expanse of fire tinted sky. (F) Fuji Velvia

St. Galen is the kind of place where the richly cultured and historic Switzerland is reconciled with the modern expansive energy of the country's large cities. This is one of the towns University buildings. (F) Fuji Velvia — St. Galen is the kind of place where the richly cultured and historic Switzerland is reconciled with the modern energy and relentless pace of the country’s large cities. This is one of the towns University buildings. (F) Fuji Velvia

Appenzell is a fiercely traditional, back-looking town, where centuries old traditions of community and beer making are lovingly upheld. (F) Fuji Velvia

The rural area surrounding the town of Horn and banking Lake Constance is fertile in the most prodigious sense. There are orchards and groves in every direction you look, separated only by little fields and an occasional house. (F) Fuji Velvia — The rural area surrounding the town of Horn and banking Lake Constance is fertile in every sense. There are orchards and groves in every direction you look, separated only by little fields and an occasional house. (F) Fuji Velvia

We were bestowed with a show of exquisite colours every night as the sun disappeared somewhere behind the distant western hills. (F) Fuji Velvia — Every night there was a show of exquisite colours, as the sun disappeared somewhere behind the distant western hills. (F) Fuji Velvia

The fine sliver of land that you can just about see on a clear afternoon is the edge of Germany. (F) Fuji Velvia — The fine sliver of land that you can see on the horizon with a clear afternoon is the edge of Germany. (F) Fuji Velvia

Along the way, we met up with fellow old block-mate Axl, who was accompanying a friend on a European road trip. Axl and Madison, in a state of repent for the night before. (F) Kodak Portra — Along the way, we met up with fellow old block-mate Axl, who was accompanying a friend on a European road trip. Axl and Madison, in a state of recovery from the night before. (F) Kodak Portra

Aside from driving, rail travel is incredibly popular in Switzerland, as an efficient way to get around the expanse of the country. Trains are christened with individual names when they come into service, and each find home in different towns, in a kind of anthropomorphic ritual. (F) Kodak Portra — Rail travel is incredibly popular in Switzerland. Trains are christened with individual names when they come into service, and each one finds home in a different town, in a kind of anthropomorphic ritual. (F) Kodak Portra

Our wonderful hostess Laura at the observation point, reaching out behind her is the urban metropolis of Zurich. (F) Kodak Portra — Our wonderful hostess Laura at the observation point, reaching out behind her is the city of Zurich. (F) Kodak Portra

Lake Zurich disappears off into the haze. (F) Kodak Portra

Its a very long way down from the Uetliberg observation tower. (F) Kodak Portra

Beginning of Summer

The last few weeks have been a period of metamorphosis, things have been shifting, and so has life. Moving out of Uni halls, and back home for the summer has tendered a moment to slow down and simplify. Working outside, walking and breathing in the countryside.

(F) Ilford HP5 Ruth and the arch-pillars. — Ruth and the arch-pillars. *(F) Ilford HP5*

(F) Ilford HP5 Bean field. — Bean Field (F) Ilford HP5

(F) Ilford HP5 Athyrium — Athyrium. (F) Ilford HP5

(F) Ilford HP5 A party was held in the woodland . — A party was held in the woodland. *(F) Ilford HP5*

Ben Franks Wine Tasting

A friend of mine called Ben Franks has graduated this year, and his great project that he is nurturing is wine tasting. He has started running these evenings, and a few privileged friends got to have a private tasting. I entered as someone who enjoys a glass of wine, but certainly had limited knowledge of the culture and procedures around it. Winding our way through Victoria Park, we came to a large old house, and climbed to the top floor where we were met by Ben, and led into an open dining area.

The table was neatly laid out with three glasses per place. The group sat talking and introducing themselves. — Everyone was given a space to sit, in front of the large oval table. In the middle were four un-opened bottles and a spittoon. (F) Fuji Superia

The table was neatly laid out with three glasses per place. — Everything was neatly laid out with three glasses per place, and a slip for taking notes on the wines. (F) Fuji Superia

After explaining how to test a glass of wine, and how to discern its subtle nuances, we started by tasting a rosé. — After explaining how to test a glass of wine, and how to discern its subtle nuances, we started by tasting a Rosé. (F) Fuji Superia

It was exciting to get into the tasting and apply the newly learned technique. We had one glass which we had to use for Rosé, one for White, and one for Red wine. — It was exciting to get into the tasting and apply the newly learned technique. (F) Fuji Superia

We had one glass which we had to use for Rosé, one for White, and one for Red wine, so that the respective flavours of the wines would not interfere with each other. To the same end, we ate bread between bottles. (F) Fuji Superia

We started off by tasting Rosé, then moved on to white wines. — After tasting the Rosé, we moved on to white wines. (F) Fuji Superia

The way in which a wine is poured from the bottle is important; it contributes to the flavour and the aroma. (F) Fuji Superia

Writing notes on the individual characteristics of a white glass of wine. (F) Fuji Superia

As we got on to the red wines, the atmosphere was becoming more social. (F) Fuji Superia

The red wines were a completing highlight of the evening, and rounded off a great night of socialising, learning and sharing in an appreciation of the grape. — The red wines were a highlight of the evening. They rounded off a great night of socialising, learning and sharing in an appreciation of the grape. (F) Fuji Superia

Ben did a good job of selecting the bottles we enjoyed and sharing some of his knowledge about the art of wine drinking. For further information visit: benfrankswine.com — Ben Franks did a good job of selecting the bottles we enjoyed and sharing some of his knowledge about the art of wine drinking. For further information visit: benfrankswine.com (F) Fuji Superia

Profile: Madison

Madison has been featured in periphery a few times on this blog and my instagram feed. As flat mates at University, we spend a lot of time hanging out together, and get along really well; something to do with a mutual appreciation of one another’s sardonic sense of humour, I think. That being said, I wanted to open up this blog to a bit more portraiture and what greater place to start than with a very close friend.