Bath – Jonathon Seagull Blog

Bath Spa University Fashion Design Show 2017

I had the incredible opportunity to shoot pictures at Bath Spa University’s Fashion Design Course graduate show. It was held at the Assembly Rooms in Bath.

I’ve never done anything of this kind before, and though I prepared beforehand, I knew this would be a unique and challenging experience. As someone with a ‘low key’ sartorial passion, I found out about this and immediately knew I wanted to go.

I love shooting portraits with people, but taking pictures here would be on a whole different level. It was one of the most intense and exhilarating things I’ve done yet; a total cacophony of sounds and lights. Once the fashion show started, everything moved seamlessly and relentlessly forward and I loved every moment of it.

I wish to extend particular thanks to Louise Pickles (head of BSU Fashion Design course) who graciously allowed me to be there, as well as to Simon Armstrong (the commissioned fashion photographer) who let me work right alongside him. The show was a spectacle to behold.

To see more of my photo’s from the show, please follow this link to my Flickr.

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

Snippet: Bread in the Afternoon

There are some things that just can’t go missing from my life for any extended period. Fresh bread is certainly one of them, and Rye bread has always hit a primal cord with me; something about the aroma of the flour, and the flavour. I set forth with friend Shannen in tow, to find somewhere to pick a loaf up.